Crime
The misdemeanor charge stems from an Aug. 8 incident at Barmore’s home in Mansfield, according to court documents.
New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been charged with domestic assault and battery, making him the second Pats star to face criminal charges this month.
The 26-year-old will be arraigned in February on one count of assault and battery on an intimate partner, Attleboro District Court records show.
“We are confident that the evidence will demonstrate that no criminal conduct took place,” his attorney, David Meier, said in a statement. “Based on the facts and the law, we expect that this personal matter will be resolved in the near future and both parties will move forward together.”
The misdemeanor charge stems from an Aug. 8 incident at Barmore’s home in Mansfield, according to charging documents. Barmore had purportedly been dating the alleged victim on and off for several years, and the woman told Mansfield police the football player physically assaulted her when he was “in a bad mood,” court documents state.
The woman told police she was gathering her belongings to leave after Barmore allegedly became angry that the thermostat was set to 70 degrees and that she had eaten some of his food. She said she was speaking to her mother on the phone when Barmore allegedly took the device out of her hand and disconnected the call.
According to court documents, the woman “intended to open the door and scream for help but Christian grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor.” She also accused Barmore of grabbing her by the neck of her shirt and threatening to have his family members beat her up, Mansfield police reported.
Asked why she didn’t report the alleged assault sooner, the woman purportedly told police she feared Barmore and his “handlers,” given his wealth and position in the NFL. The criminal complaint was issued Dec. 16, and Barmore’s arraignment is slated for Feb. 3.
In a statement, the Patriots said they are aware of reports regarding Barmore’s pending arraignment.
“The Patriots were made aware at the time of the incident and informed the NFL in a timely manner,” the statement reads. “The matter remains part of an ongoing legal process. We will respect that process, continue to monitor the situation closely, as we have over the past few months, and cooperate fully with the league. We will have no further comment at this time.”
Earlier this week, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery after he was reportedly accused of hitting a private chef during a dispute over payment Dec. 2. Meier, who is also representing Diggs, previously said the wide receiver “categorically denies” the allegations.
“The timing and motivation for making these allegations are clear: They are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction,” Meier said. “Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law.”
The Patriots likewise voiced support for Diggs, adding, “We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary.”
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