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Tiger Woods: No Interviews

By Jeralyn, Section Off Topic
Posted on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 02:13:36 PM EST
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Tiger Woods has refused a police interview for the third time today. Smart move. He's under no obligation to talk to them. His traffic accident is under investigation and the Fifth Amendment applies as much to celebrities as anyone else.

He also put a statement on his website taking full responsibility for the accident and saying his wife did nothing but come to his aid after seeing he was injured. As of now, his website is taking comments.

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    Tiger Woods: No Interviews | 83 comments (83 topical)

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    Good for Tiger (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by FreakyBeaky on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:18:29 PM EST
    No interviews for the cops.  Hopefully, no interviews for anybody.  

    I cannot believe that I am alone in thinking that our reality-TV culture would be improved by fewer people thinking they just have to know stuff that is none of their business about people they don't even know, and by more people just - not answering questions.

    I assume the neighbor who called 911 (none / 0) (#30)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:20:40 PM EST
    has sufficient $$$ not be tempted to talk to the media.  Household employees though.

    Parent
    His insurance company is (none / 0) (#39)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:44:40 PM EST
    going to want to know something about this.

    Parent
    If I'm Tiger (5.00 / 3) (#70)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:44:26 PM EST
    I'll be taking care of this out of pocket.

    Parent
    Yes. The bean counters (none / 0) (#44)
    by Fabian on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:48:53 PM EST
    do not like to be denied.

    OTOH - Woods has enough money to blow them off, even if they drop his policy.  

    Parent

    oddly enough, (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by cpinva on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:21:12 PM EST
    i always thought the 5th amendment was for criminal acts. so jeralyn, are you suggesting mr. woods committed a criminal act(s)? so far, assuming the reports are accurate, this wouldn't seem to be the case, and invoking the 5th wouldn't appear warranted or supported.

    personally, i have no interest, other than your comment about the 5th applying equally to celebrities.

    I gather Jeralyn was referring to Ms. (none / 0) (#32)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:35:30 PM EST
    Woods.  Of course, Mr. and Ms. Woods have marital privilege, at least in CA.  Not sure about FL.  Which would protect their statements to each other, assuming no one else was w/i earshot to their knowledge.  She has a Fifth Amendment right not to talk to law enforcement.  So does he.

    Parent
    The Fifth Amendment privilege (none / 0) (#50)
    by Peter G on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:08:22 PM EST
    ... applies whenever a person's response could be used as evidence in support of an accusation of crime, no matter how wrong the accuser might be.  "Taking the Fifth" in no way admits or implies that the person thinks that s/he has committed or even may have committed any crime.  Since Woods could reasonably be suspected of some sort of traffic offense for driving in such as way as to hit a fire hydrant and a tree, he has a right to rely on his Fifth Amendment privilege and not answer any questions about how the accident came about.

    Parent
    I'm still trying to make sense of (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Anne on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:42:36 PM EST
    the reports that she broke the back window to get her over-6-feet-tall, reportedly-unconscious-and-therefore-dead-weight husband out of the front seat, over the console and out either a side door or out the back, and onto the ground.

    Me?  I'd have been afraid to move him, especially if, with all the blood on his face, I suspected his head had hit the steering wheel.

    Neither of them owe me an explanation, so all I can say is that if there is trouble in the Woods household, I hope it can be resolved without injury.  That being said, as long as Woods refuses to deal with it publicly, the more the speculation will grow.

    she lied (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by pitachips on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:16:05 PM EST
    hence the reason why Tiger Inc., has been sequestered for the last couple of days to try and come up with a somewhat plausible explanation. she probably bashed out out all the windows, he got distracted, ran over the hydrant and then into a tree.

    Parent
    None of it makes sense to me. (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Fabian on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 09:55:53 PM EST
    Other than it involved something they don't want the media to get hold of and broadcast to the world.

    I'm sure we'll get some explanation - once it has been run past a publicist and a couple of lawyers.

    Too bad I can't afford my own attorney and publicist!

    Parent

    Two back, side passenger windows (none / 0) (#40)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:44:51 PM EST
    broken.  Presume she unlocked door from inside, then pulled him out of front passenger door.  

    Parent
    Okay, so she dragged her (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by Anne on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:58:40 PM EST
    over-6-feet-tall, semi-unconscious/unconscious, dead-weight husband sideways over the console and out the front passenger-side door onto the ground.

    Where was she when the car hit the fire hydrant?  In the house?  On the driveway watching him drive off?  Did she run out to see what had happened and then back to the house - not for the extra remote to open the doors, or to get her phone to call 911, but for a golf club?  

    Seriously?

    Parent

    Who among us has not... (5.00 / 3) (#51)
    by Tony on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:10:03 PM EST
    left the house at 2:30 in the morning only to drive into a fire hydrant and have our wife break the back window with a golf club in an effort to save us?

    Parent
    I would have grabbed a mallet (none / 0) (#55)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:21:47 PM EST
    because as a sculptor, that's what I have handy. If her hubby was a baseball player, she could have very well grabbed a bat.

    If he was out for 6 minutes, she had plenty of time and could have been a bit panicked.

    Parent

    So, do you think Tiger has golf clubs (none / 0) (#59)
    by Anne on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 06:15:13 PM EST
    all over the house, or is it more plausible to think he probably has an equipment room in some wing of the house, or even separate from the house?

    As a sculptor, and you lived like Tiger does, you would probably have a studio, and the likelihood that you just have random mallets all over your house would be, what? Slim?

    I understand panic.  When some maniac driver sideswiped my car, and I nearly drove into the jersey wall at 65 mph, I felt somewhat panicked, too.  And the first thing I did after getting control of the car was pick up the phone and call for help.

    Parent

    He could have had a set by the door (none / 0) (#78)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:05:29 PM EST
    left there when he arrived home.

    And yes, even with a sep studio, I have mallets and other equip around the house. Sometimes I even leave them by the door when I come in  ;)

    Parent

    I wonder if they found glass on the driveway and (none / 0) (#48)
    by Angel on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:01:32 PM EST
    not just at the fire hydrant and tree areas....  

    Parent
    As in... (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by Anne on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 06:08:28 PM EST
    maybe she was whacking at the car as he was heading out?

    I wondered about that, too.

    Parent

    Yes, as in... (none / 0) (#60)
    by Angel on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 06:18:36 PM EST


    Parent
    Golf clubs feed the family? (none / 0) (#61)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:24:42 PM EST
    Golf clubs save the family?  Maybe they lost one set of the keys w/remote like I always do, and he had the other.

    Parent
    Hmmm. I didn't get two sets w/remote. (none / 0) (#63)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:31:20 PM EST
    Plus, why not call 911 first thing?  

    Parent
    And look oculus (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:16:07 PM EST
    they released the neighbors 911 call.  They just love to do that.

    Parent
    You are kind of far behind. That was (none / 0) (#82)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:22:18 PM EST
    released this afternoon!  "They" had already laid "the man" out on ground before the neighbor called 911.  I speculate he called 911 before Ms. Woods was aware he was doing so.

    Parent
    Perhaps she's a nurse :) (none / 0) (#84)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:45:30 PM EST
    Maybe she took CPR :)

    Parent
    Well, I'm not because my spouse is a (none / 0) (#68)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:41:48 PM EST
    an officer.  With all this deployment business going on documented fights only mean that soldiers get to attend counseling and the poor fools usually do it alone because the military can only make the soldier go...they can't make dependents do anything they don't want to do. And it only takes one fight these days.  Nope, I'm keeping this out of all files or the frontal lobe any other officer who feels competitive with my husband. And my spouse flies....so if he had a beer or an Ambien before this Jusssss forget about it! And if my husband is Tiger Woods, they will only be playing my 911 call on the "E" channel if Tiger is dying.  Even then that will be horrible enough so I'm thinking that my privacy is violated enough and I'll be handling this inhouse.

    Parent
    Tiger was unconcious maybe as much (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:45:14 PM EST
    as five minutes and bleeding from the mouth the mouth. THat is scary, no matter who it is.  Could be brain damage, internal bleeding, etc.  

    Parent
    I would check for cuts in the mouth (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:47:24 PM EST
    and if I didn't find any then I'm probably calling 911 at that time.

    Parent
    He might have bit his tongue (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:49:11 PM EST
    He "was on the ground, semi-unconscious and had lacerations to the upper and lower lips," Saylor said

    I don't know why anyone who had a "nothing to see here" kind of accident feels the need to be so secretive. How much damage was done to the fire hydrant? The tree?

    In his status of celebrity he surely knew that the media and the public would have a great time with this if he didn't explain.

    Parent

    Good lawyering. (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 02:32:53 PM EST


    And horrible P.R. (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Dadler on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:16:40 PM EST
    This is going to follow him until he addresses it directly and candidly. And with his personality, there's good reason to believe he never will. I think, in terms of image, this is the end of the invincible Tiger. Then again, maybe his thug caddie can beat up everyone for him and make it go away.

    Ultimately, and seriously, who cares?

    Parent

    How does Ambien driving (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:31:15 PM EST
    after arguing with your wife make you less invincible on a golf green?  If I was Tiger, that was what it was until someone proves different :)?  I just can't wait for the coming home fight.  There is always a leaving fight and a coming home fight for almost all couples when they do this deployment thing.  We all joke about it anymore.  I think I'm staying in the hotel this time.  They finally opened a new one here and it looks decent.  He should come home, we fight, and then HE gets to take Josh to school.  I wonder if I could get some breakfast in bed?  I haven't had breakfast in bed in ages and ages.

    Parent
    The officer my ex replaced on the Navy ship (none / 0) (#66)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:36:37 PM EST
    told us coming home is honeymoon at first.  Maybe your husband should join the Navy.  I like the hotel idea though.

    Parent
    Oh yeah, the first few days (none / 0) (#75)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:50:48 PM EST
    are bliss.  Then he starts messing up your schedule and you have figured out how to get all this stuff done without him.  And I guess he feels that too I'm told...that he isn't necessary even though he was missed.  He throws my schedule off for the third time, and the tension has been building too because he is sick of being treated like a stray cat :)

    Parent
    I know. (none / 0) (#76)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:55:11 PM EST


    Parent
    "Who cares?" (none / 0) (#3)
    by Radiowalla on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:20:48 PM EST
    Nominated for Comment of the Day.

    Parent
    Sadly, lot s of people (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by smott on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:23:54 PM EST
    ...but really, it's looking, walking and quacking like a duck isn't it?

    DD all the way IMO...

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#5)
    by CoralGables on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:25:23 PM EST
    this may be a time when good lawyering is far more costly in the long run due to the PR hit.

    For most, something like this means nothing from a PR perspective. For someone like Tiger, the truth would likely be far less damaging than following the lawyer advice and saying nothing.

    Parent

    But he never says anything (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:38:09 PM EST
    Drink and domestic were both ruled out early by the cops, the only ones that really matter. Just because TMZ wants to be a rumor mill doesn't mean a person should just bend over and give them more.

    Unless he steps up an confirms all the ugly rumors and speculation, nobody is going to be happy.

    Parent

    Rachel flew to LAX to meet with her (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:42:35 PM EST
    attorney, Gloria Allred.  

    Parent
    Sounds like a good move (none / 0) (#12)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:46:16 PM EST
    wonder if she also has other biz there?

    Parent
    Please. She is a NY night club hostess (none / 0) (#13)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:48:50 PM EST
    who was w/"clients" in Australia recently.  

    Parent
    I hear Australia has a pretty hip (none / 0) (#14)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:51:03 PM EST
    club scene via Will.I.Am.  ;)

    Parent
    Yes, I read she went to Melbourne (none / 0) (#52)
    by Cream City on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:11:23 PM EST
    and having been there recently, meeting many of the 20-somethings, we saw and heard that it is an amazing club scene.  (And an incredibly great city.)

    Parent
    Update: per Chicago Tribune blogger, (none / 0) (#88)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 10:45:45 PM EST
    she is a NY nightclub "executive."

    Parent
    It sounds better than (none / 0) (#89)
    by CoralGables on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 11:42:05 PM EST
    velvet rope line opener.

    Parent
    I disagree. Kobe Bryant Lakers shirt (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:31:20 PM EST
    is the biggest selling item in the NBA.  

    Parent
    But he makes a lot less (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by Cream City on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:35:21 PM EST
    on the shirts than he would have made on the product endorsement contracts that were canceled.

    It's an interesting decision to have to make.  A car crash, or legal use of pain pills -- probably little problem in the long run for his moneymaking.

    But if Woods could be called a wifebeater, per some rumors, that would lead to canceled endorsements.  And that apparently is how he makes most of his (outrageous) fortune.

    Parent

    He fell on his sword for her, if, as alleged, (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:41:43 PM EST
    she physically abused him on this occasion.  Admirable in my opinion for him to do so.

    Parent
    Would it be admirable if (none / 0) (#17)
    by Steve M on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:02:15 PM EST
    (1) our assumptions are true; and

    (2) the genders were reversed?

    Parent

    Good point. Prosecute. (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:09:46 PM EST


    Parent
    Oh, incoming. Dark Avenger will probably (none / 0) (#25)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:11:48 PM EST
    say this is my stupidest comment evah.  And would be correct.  

    Parent
    In the Tom Noe story (none / 0) (#33)
    by Fabian on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:36:53 PM EST
    he took the fall for his second wife, Bernadette.  His plea deal was contingent on the Missus Noe not being charged.

    Chivalrous?  Maybe.  But the way the story runs, Tom Noe didn't get into the political hanky panky that sank him (laundering campaign contributions) until he hooked up with his ambitious second missus.  (His career wasn't squeaky clean before then, but it didn't include politics.)

    Parent

    I would agree, absolutely. (none / 0) (#53)
    by Cream City on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:12:28 PM EST
    Children ought not be exposed to the violence, no matter by whom to whom.

    Parent
    What comedian said (none / 0) (#79)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:06:09 PM EST
    You've never been in love if you haven't thought about killing them?  I watch so many.  

    Parent
    Chris Rock? (none / 0) (#83)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:25:22 PM EST
    link

    Parent
    You been watching Chris Rock? (none / 0) (#85)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 08:46:38 PM EST
    I thought to self it was either him or Wanda Sykes.

    Parent
    So to make people happy (none / 0) (#11)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:43:16 PM EST
    he has to say she beats him and he is a wife beater?

    Parent
    Lawyer who cancelled today's scheduled (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 03:58:43 PM EST
    interview of Tiger Woods by FHP is an Orlando area criminal defense attorney:  Washington Post

    Parent
    Dog in front seat (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:06:13 PM EST
    in article pic. Hope the airbag is disabled and he's strapped in . . .

    Parent
    Two dogs (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:36:54 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    Tiger was running away from home (none / 0) (#65)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:33:51 PM EST
    This story is old as the hills.  Whenever a guy is the one to leave and he's convinced he can't take the kids he always takes the dogs :)

    Parent
    Except she left w/dog(s). (none / 0) (#67)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:37:28 PM EST


    Parent
    So the dogs weren't in the car (none / 0) (#69)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:43:42 PM EST
    when HE wrecked?

    Parent
    Not that I've read. He was solo. (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:46:05 PM EST


    Parent
    Rescue dog? (none / 0) (#24)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:10:35 PM EST


    Parent
    Doodle Dog named Yogi (none / 0) (#27)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:14:53 PM EST


    Parent
    I don't get that. (none / 0) (#36)
    by Fabian on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:41:25 PM EST
    Dogs are much safer in the back seat, with a restraining harness on.

    I had to give up on the harness for my late dog after he chewed half through the seat belt.  He was never my constant companion.  If he was in the car, we were going to do dog things, not people things.

    Parent

    Yup, pets and kids belong (none / 0) (#43)
    by nycstray on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:48:03 PM EST
    in the back.

    I doubt I'll take the Dot everywhere when I start driving since she wouldn't be welcome in grocery stores etc. Mostly, she'll be a dog activity passenger also.

    Parent

    I get anxious (none / 0) (#46)
    by Fabian on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:53:35 PM EST
    every time I see a dog in the front, or in the driver's lap (!) or a child unsecured and loose in the car.  It's too much potential for distraction.

    Parent
    please stay on topic (none / 0) (#56)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:42:41 PM EST
    Tiger Woods, not dog practices.

    Parent
    More on the attorney: (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:08:16 PM EST
    Orlando Sentinel

    Parent
    Attorney is a media maven. (none / 0) (#77)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:56:20 PM EST
    link

    Parent
    I'm clueless but (none / 0) (#35)
    by smott on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:40:47 PM EST
    Assuming there was some wife-on-husband abuse...

    ....does Tiger have to actually press charges for the cops to charge Elin?

    If a misdemeanor, yes. Felony, no. (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:43:30 PM EST
    But they don't have probable cause to charge her at present.

    Parent
    Should be "no". (none / 0) (#41)
    by Fabian on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:47:07 PM EST
    It used to be "yes" for DV cases, but that has changed.  In the Bad Old Days, a person could beat their partner repeatedly and never be charged unless the victim summoned up the courage to go through the process of pressing charges.

    Parent
    No, they don't have to talk. But if they don't, (none / 0) (#42)
    by Angel on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:47:29 PM EST
    others will.  And it will be speculation.  Imagine the next time Tiger plays, and the next time his wife is at a tournament.  Many will wonder about them, look for signs of disharmony, read things into gestures, read between the lines when he makes comments, etc.  He is known to have a very hot temper and some will be wondering if it got the best of him and was a cause of the accident.  Or they might wonder if he provoked her.  Of if it's the other way around.  I just think this may be a public relations disaster for him that will take a while to go away.  I think it would have been better to just give the police a statement and try to get it over with quickly instead of hiring a lawyer, which makes him look guilty of something.....

    Next week's tabloid headlines... (none / 0) (#45)
    by Fabian on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 04:50:44 PM EST
    Bradgelina will have to take a couple weeks off.  Between the White House party crashers and Tiger Woods and wife, they'll have a couple weeks worth of covers.

    Parent
    Crowd members speaking sotto voce (none / 0) (#49)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:07:48 PM EST
    on the golf course.  What else is new?

    Parent
    talking to the police (none / 0) (#54)
    by jharp on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:15:33 PM EST
    "He's under no obligation to talk to them(police)."

    I've got the police wanting to talk to my son about some "lawn jobs"(vandalism). I don't think he did it and don't think I should take my son down to talk to them.

    Anyone?

    We can't give legal advice (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 05:45:45 PM EST
    But I will say what I always say, the jails are filled with people who thought if they could only tell the police their side of the story, the police would see it their way. The 5th Amendment protection is there for good reason, use it or lose it.

    Parent
    Excellent non-legal advice. (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:31:51 PM EST


    Parent
    Once upon a time (none / 0) (#72)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 07:45:54 PM EST
    I used to think I could tell police officers how things were and it counted for something and then I moved here.  These cops around here............

    Parent
    Tiger Woods: No Interviews | 83 comments (83 topical)

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