Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy had his domestic abuse case thrown out of court on Monday.
According to the Charlotte Observer, the case was “abruptly dismissed” after the accuser, Hardy’s ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder, could not be found to testify. Prosecutors attempted to reach Holder several times to no avail.
It appears Hardy and Holder reached a settlement outside of court. In other words, the 26-year-old paid her off.
Hardy was arrested for domestic violence last May after Holder told police that he strangled her and threatened to kill her. Hardy told a 911 dispatcher during the incident that he thought Holder was drunk or on drugs. A later report indicated that the fight between the two may have started over a famous hip-hop artist.
Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer notes that the last time prosecutors spoke to Holder was in November. She said in October that she did not want to be part of another trial.
Hardy is set to become a free agent in a few weeks, but his NFL status remains unclear. He is still on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, and his case being dismissed does not necessarily mean the NFL will not punish him. The NFL said Monday that his status with the league remains unchanged until the matter can be fully reviewed.
If Hardy avoids a suspension or is only suspended for a few games, he could still command big bucks on the open market. He recorded 26 sacks between the 2012 and 2013 seasons and is an elite pass rusher.
