First, a threat is not an assault. A threat is a promise or the intent to do something. If Zeke pushed the security guard, he didn't threat him. He acted. It would only be a threat if he promised to do more than what he did. And we don't know that yet.
Second, juries sometimes are reluctant to convict people on charges that are too extreme. So even though a push may be considered battery, if the penalty is too stringent, juries sometimes will vote not guilty because the punishment or penalty is too severe for the crime.
That's what I'm talking about. I don't see a jury convicting him of assault/battery because the push doesn't appear to warrant a severe punishment.
Did you read the earlier post I put up explaining the difference between Assault and battery?( I didnt explain, it was a cut and paste) A promise? You do realize that an assault probably occurs 99% of the time before a battery, no? So if Zeke says... hey punk, im gonna beat your ***, and starts walking towards the kid... thats not assault?
But if Zeke says, Hey, I promise, Im gonna beat yoru ***.... it is now an assault. The intent of the person making the threat is NOT considered( not 100% accurate.. theres more to it), it is how the person that is being threatened is perceiving the threat that matters. Im not gonna explain this in great detail, Im simplifying things to make this more simple. Just remember these words.... reasonable person, reasonable person, reasonable person. That REASONABLE PERSON thing... it matters.
Im not gonna keep going on this stuff because it is an excercise in futility. Just know that the law is very black and white. The circumstances that are presented to juries are very grey. Battery doesnt say that you need to put someone in the hospital. It doesnt say you need to break bones. It doesnt say injuries requiring X number of stitches.
Last thing... the law would likely punish Zeke very little for this. Depending on the state, my guess is a fine, possibly a suspended sentence and probation.... if that. The NFL... thats an entirely different situation... and thats all any of us in here care about...... what will the NFL do.
Would be hard for them to punish him after they announced they arent. But circumstances change. When they said that, no charges appeared likely to be filed. That could change.