Judge: Dukes must stay away from wife

[Times photo: Ken Helle]

PLANT CITY – A Hillsborough County judge granted a one-year restraining order to NiShea Gilbert, above left, the wife of Tampa Bay Devil Ray Elijah Dukes.

The order means Dukes, who waived his appearance and was not present in the Hillsborough Circuit Court in Plant City, cannot contact his wife for one year.

As part of the ruling handed down by Circuit Judge William Levens, Dukes is ordered to undergo psychological evaluation before he is allowed to see his children. Also under the order, Dukes is not allowed to possess weapons.

"I'm just happy that I've got it for a year, and I can move forward," Gilbert, 26, said outside the courtroom.

Gilbert said her life lately had been "hell" and that she hopes that the psychological evaluation will get Dukes the help she feels he needs.

"He just needs to get help so he can be a normal, functioning citizen," she said.

Gilbert said she wasn't surprised Dukes was absent.

"He never shows up to court," said Gilbert, accompanied by her mother Mary, who added that the past few weeks had been difficult

"I'm just glad it's all over," Mary said.

Gilbert's attorney, Dale Gabbard, said the next step will be arranging a hearing to determine child support and alimony.

-- By Carrie Weimar, Times staff writer

Previous stories:
- Elijah Dukes' troubled past
- Ballplayer's wife: He threatened me, kids
- Without cooperation, charges are unlikely
- Shelton column: Only we can stop cycle of violence

Comments

[Gilbert Ford]

I just pray that the family can reconcile. If counseling is what is needed then let it begin. I really feel that it is tragic anytime outsiders began to judge a person or persons in public. Ms. Gilbert seems to be reasonably sound, according to the news articles. Mr. Dukes on the other hand, I just hope that he does not relenquish his opportunity to be a dad. I have endured a divorce and the hardest part is not being daddy 24/7, nor, being a husband to the mother of my children. If Mr. Dukes is reading this article contact me via my email and I can relate to you how difficult it is yet, how productive it can turn out. Please, do not throw your God Given talent away. I applaud Gary Sheffield's efforts to be there for Mr. Dukes, it is rare in this era, that someone would reach out to help in a person's time of need. I have been there and prayer and believing in God is what will get you through it!

[Josh]

Has the St. Pete Times forgotten what the words journalistic integrity mean? The atrocious juxtaposition of photos on the front of the sports section today is just the latest transgression. NOthing like putting a smiling "victim" next to a photo of a focused, angry looking athlete. This coverage has just become laughable to me...Its like the Times is just trying to sell papers, no matter what gets it done. What's next Times, are you going to start calling yourself "fair and balanced". The Times used to be my favorite paper, nationaly, but I've been disgusted by the yellow journalism practiced over the last week.

[Ron Jeremy]

Dukes is cancer and needs the boot. People need to stop making excuses for him. I'm sure it wasn't his fault he got arrested in the off season for the car stereo the Police heard before they could see the car, oh yeah, or the Marijuana. The bottom line is that Dukes is an arrogant punk who bullies women and simply cannot get along with anyone. Hopefully his days of "showering in Evian" are almost over.