The Napa County District Attorney’s Office will not file charges against Oakland Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable following allegations that he assaulted an assistant coach during summer training camp in Napa.

District Attorney Gary Lieberstein announced the decision at a press conference Thursday afternoon, saying three witnesses told investigators that Cable didn’t punch or threaten Randy Hanson. Inconsistencies in Hanson’s account also played into the final decision, he said.

“Our job is to do the right thing for the right reasons,” Lieberstein said.

Based on the evidence, it is unlikely the office could prove Cable’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury, he said. The office has an ethical duty to not charge cases with scant evidence or ones that would not be “in the interest of justice.”

“Our job is not just to throw stuff up in front of a jury and see what happens,” he said.

The office’s review of the case found that the incident began during a heated discussion among coaches about Hanson’s future with the Raiders. The discussion took place at the Napa Valley Marriott, where the Raiders stay each summer while working out at adjacent Redwood Middle School.

Cable grew angry and started toward Hanson, Lieberstein said. Before Cable reached Hanson, defensive backs coach Lionel Washington stepped in between them. Cable bumped into Washington, and Washington bumped into Hanson’s chair.

Hanson was leaning back in the chair with his feet on a table at the time, and the force caused him to fall to the ground. It’s likely the fall that caused him to break his jaw, Lieberstein said.

After he fell, Cable approached Hanson and grabbed him by the shirt, but witnesses told investigators he never threatened or hit Hanson.

Lieberstein said prosecutors also took into account Hanson’s behavior following the incident.

Hanson went to Queen of the Valley Medical Center for examination on the evening of Aug. 5 and said he had been assaulted. He refused to give any further details and objected when medical personnel told him they must, by law, call law enforcement.

Hanson gave few details when police arrived, and he declined to identify a suspect. Police were unable to identify the room where the incident occurred, so they couldn’t process it for evidence, Lieberstein said.

It wasn’t until the end of September that Hanson consented to an interview, which his attorney attended. He told investigators he was there because police asked him talk and his attorney advised him to, Lieberstein said.

The interview was inconsistent with the original statement he made, and it left out the details of what had taken place leading up to Cable’s approach.

Hanson later gave statements to a reporter that further conflicted with previous accounts.

Investigators were unable to resolve these changes in his story during a final interview Wednesday, Lieberstein said.

Within the past week and a half, Hanson came to the Napa Police Department unannounced and said the Raiders had not given him what he asked for, so he would fully cooperate with the prosecution, Lieberstein said.

Lieberstein, Assistant District Attorney Lee Philipson and Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Gero agreed that, given the history leading up to the events, the lack of evidence, the witness statements and Hanson’s wavering testimony, no charges should be filed.

Napa Police officials agreed, he said.

Although Cable is a well-known sports figure, the case is like any other felony assault case it reviews, Lieberstein said.

“We’re dealing with real people, real lives and real consequences,” he said. “Who this affects and who is interested is no different than any other case that we handle in this office.”

In answers to reporter’s questions, Lieberstein acknowledged the incident may appear to be a “textbook” example of assault, but said it is more akin to a person jostling someone else. Felony assault requires that the attack be willful, and evidence

doesn’t show that to be the case, he said.

When asked if his decision came out of pressure from the Raiders or threats that they might not train in Napa should charges be filed, Lieberstein said no.

“My title is District Attorney of Napa County; I’m not president of the Chamber of Commerce of Napa,” he said. “Whether the Raiders choose to have their camp here or somewhere else has nothing to do with my obligation as district attorney.”

He also said he doubts that the witnesses spoke out of direction from the Raiders. They all spoke candidly, appeared credible and mirrored each other, he said.

The police department conducted the interviews and videotaped them. Members of the District Attorney’s office reviewed the tapes.

There was no reason to interview any of them a second time since their statements were “straightforward,” he said.

Cable exercised his right to remain silent and didn’t consent to an interview, he said.

The Raiders organization has been waiting patiently for the outcome of the investigation, “and now this matter is resolved,” said Raiders spokesman Mike Taylor.

“Our focus has been and remains on the New York Jets,” he said, referring to the Raiders’ opponents this weekend.

He declined to comment to further.

Hanson’s attorney, John McGuinn, did not return a call.