Photos Of Greg Hardy's Alleged Victim Released
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - For the first time, photos showing bruises of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy's alleged victim have been released.
The photos, obtained by DeadSpin, show Hardy's former girlfriend covered with bruises from head to toe. According to DeadSpin, the photos were taken by police of a woman identified as Nicole Holder, within hours of Hardy's attack.
Hardy was arrested and charged with the attack. He was ultimately convicted by a judge, but the conviction was thrown out when he requested a jury trial.
Holder testified in the first trial, but did not show up for the second one, which resulted in the charges being dropped. According to multiple reports, Holder accepted a financial settlement in exchange for her agreement not to testify against Hardy.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones showed support for Greg Hardy Friday. He said the team hadn't seen the photos before signing Hardy to an incentive-laden $13 million free agent contract in March, but the Cowboys "were and are aware of the serious nature of this incident."
Jones issued this statement:
"While we did not have access to the photos that became public today, we were and are aware of the serious nature of this incident. We as an organization take this very seriously. We do not condone domestic violence. We entered into the agreement with Greg fully understanding that there would be scrutiny and criticism. We have given Greg a second chance. He is a member of our team and someone who is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to move forward with his life and his career."
As he was leaving the locker room Friday, Hardy ignored a reporter who asked repeatedly if he wanted to address the release of the photos showing various injuries to Nicole Holder.
Deadspin didn't say how the photos were obtained, and the website's account included some previously unreported details from police reports.
The NFL has seen these photos, according to Brian McCarthy, vice president of communications for the league. McCarthy said the NFL obtained "investigative material" from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, including photos, and sued for access to seven additional photos from the District Attorney's Office during the league's investigation, eventually reaching a settlement.
The league suspended Hardy for 10 games while saying that evidence suggested Holder "was severely traumatized and sustained a range of injuries."
Hardy's suspension under the personal conduct policy was reduced to four games by an arbitrator. He has played three games for the Cowboys (2-5), who have lost five straight games going into a home game against Philadelphia (3-4) on Sunday night.
Before his Dallas debut against New England, Hardy made headlines again with comments about Tom Brady's wife. He also caused a stir with an inappropriate tweet about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks during this year's draft.
When the Cowboys gave up a decisive kickoff return in a loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago, Hardy barged into special teams coach Rich Bisaccia's huddle before the next kickoff and had a physical confrontation with the assistant coach.
Through it all, Jones has supported Hardy.
"We have given Greg a second chance," Jones said in his statement. "He is a member of our team and someone who is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to move forward with his life and his career."
Hardy missed the last 15 games with Carolina in 2014 because of the domestic case but still collected his $13 million salary. He was accused of choking and grabbing Holder and throwing her on a futon that had at least four semi-automatic rifles on it.
The NFL announced a tougher personal conduct policy in August 2014, three months after Hardy's incident and following widespread criticism over its handling of the domestic case involving Ray Rice.
The former Baltimore running back was suspended two games after his arrest for assaulting his then-fiancee on an Atlantic City casino elevator, but before video surfaced on his punch that knocked her out.
The league waited to gain evidence from Hardy's case before suspending him, but arbitrator Harold Henderson ruled the 10-game ban was too long because the tougher policy had established six games as the initial punishment in domestic cases.
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