Apples and oranges. Even not taking into account the fact that what you're talking about happened fifteen years ago under different leadership, it's not even remotely the same.
Ray Lewis was a witness in a murder case following a bar fight. He was initially charged with murder along with Oakley and Sweeting. He turned and became the state's key witness instead. Both the jury and the state accepted the testimony, but the jury determined that Oakley and Sweeting acted in self-defense, and so all charges against them were dropped. Ironically, the only one to face any charges at all was Ray Lewis, who was faced with charges of obstruction of justice for initially lying about Oakley and Sweeting's involvement.
So, yes, for a brief period Ray Lewis was an accused murderer. However, that charge was dropped by the state as they gained evidence about the case, and the only charge levied against him was a misdemeanor charge for lying to protect his career. In the end, the murder in question was determined by a jury to have not occurred, since they determined it was self-defense.
Finally, call me an idealist, but I do happen to think that there's a big difference between a bar fight and beating your fiance unconscious in an elevator.
EDIT: This is not to say I approve of how the Ravens handled Rice, though. They should have canned him from the get-go.
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