TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Dukes Granted Permission For Unsupervised Visits

ADVERTISEMENT

By THOMAS W. KRAUSE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2007

TAMPA - After an emotional hearing Monday, Elijah Dukes' estranged wife agreed to allow the Devil Rays outfielder to have unsupervised visits with his children.

In court, NiShea Dukes said she understands that her husband is in therapy and is taking medication. The children, she said, have been crying out for their father, keeping her awake at night.

'He's a wonderful father,' NiShea Dukes said.

When Judge J. Kevin Carey asked Dukes his thoughts, Dukes lowered his head and began to weep.

In May, NiShea Dukes won a year-long restraining order keeping Elijah Dukes away from her and the children. On April 30, Dukes had left a message on his wife's cell phone, threatening to kill her and the children, NiShea Dukes told deputies. She said he also sent her a text message with the photo of a gun.

In past hearings, Elijah Dukes has appeared defiant. He threw papers in one hearing and was warned by the judge about his outbursts in another.

On Monday, Dukes seemed more subdued, although he did seem frustrated at times.
NiShea Dukes initially told the judge that Elijah Dukes should be allowed supervised visits with the children. Dukes balked at the idea.

'If she can't trust me with my own kids ...' he said, starting a rant in which he accused his wife's lawyer of manipulating her.

He said he was giving up on all attempts at visitation and custody. NiShea Dukes can play both mother and father, he said.

After a brief break, NiShea Dukes agreed to let Elijah Dukes visit the children with no supervision. Although the injunction wasn't dropped entirely, the couple can speak to each other on the phone and see each other face to face when they exchange the children for visits.

NiShea Dukes' lawyer, Catherine Real, denied that she manipulated anyone. She said she offers advice to her clients but they are the bosses and she does what they tell her.

Real said she still has concerns that Elijah Dukes can be dangerous.

In previous hearings she has suggested that Elijah Dukes' angry streak is caused by steroid use. Last week, she accused the Devil Rays of attempting to conceal a drug evaluation that might include information about Dukes and steroids.

In court Monday, an attorney for the Devil Rays denied the team was trying to conceal anything.

The Rays' lawyer, Brad Kimbro, said Dukes once had a copy of the evaluation. He said the team would provide him with another copy and, to avoid issues with medical privacy laws, Dukes could provide it to his wife's lawyer.

Dukes has until 5 p.m. today to give Real a copy of the evaluation.

Real said she wanted to have a drug expert review the evaluation. Some steroids tests, she said, can be masked.

If the evaluation proves to have relevant information, Real said, she would put it in the case file, making it public record.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT