Accuser says she lied about Jonathan Taylor incident, charged by police

Ken Bradley

Accuser says she lied about Jonathan Taylor incident, charged by police image

Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Taylor was arrested and charged on Saturday, kicked off the football team Sunday and on Wednesday, the woman who accused him in the incident told police that she lied about what happened.

“Based on her statements that she had fabricated the stories investigators charged the female with False Reporting to Law Enforcement,” read a statement from the Tuscaloosa Police Department. She was placed in jail and released after posting bond.

The 24-year-old woman told police that she received injuries to her neck from Taylor as well as damage to her apartment in a March 28 altercation. Taylor was charged with domestic violence third-degree assault and domestic violence third-degree criminal mischief.

MORE: Top 25 football/basketball combined programs | Malzahn not happy with Harbaugh

On Monday, she recanted her original statement, telling police that Taylor did not harm her. When interviewed again Tuesday, she stated that she lied about the incident and was charged.

Alabama and coach Nick Saban came under harsh criticism when they signed Taylor, who had been kicked off the football team at Georgia after he was arrested on aggravated assault and family violence charges. Saban came under additional criticism Monday with the way he handled questions about Taylor and Geno Smith at his news conference.

What does this now mean for Taylor? Tuscaloosa Police stated that the charges against Taylor “will be reviewed at a later date.” When contacted by AL.com, an Alabama football spokesman was not sure if Taylor could be allowed back on the team. 

Ken Bradley