Domestic violence charges against Greg Hardy were dropped Monday morning by the prosecution, the latest twist in a long-running legal saga for the Panthers defensive lineman.
Hardy and his accuser, ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder, reportedly reached a civil settlement.
Prosecutors ultimately felt there was not enough evidence without Holder's testimony. Had to rely on notes from July. Thus charges dismissed
— Brandon Schlager (@bgschlager) February 9, 2015
Hardy was found guilty in a bench trial last July on misdemeanor charges of assaulting and threatening to kill Holder. He exercised his right to appeal for a jury trial on the charges, and that proceeding was set to begin Monday. But Holder did not cooperate with prosecutors and charges were dismissed after she failed to show up for the trial.
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Hardy and his lawyers declined to comment to the media as they left the courthouse.
Hardy played one game for the Panthers last season but spent the rest of the year on the commissioner's exempt list, collecting paychecks while sitting out 15 games. Even though the charges have been dropped, his future in the NFL remains murky.
Statement from @NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Greg Hardy: "His status remains unchanged until we fully review the matter."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 9, 2015