Dec. 31 (UPI) — New England Patriots defender Christian Barmore faces a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery on a household/family member, court documents show.
Attleboro (Mass.) District Court records show the charge stems from an alleged Aug. 8 incident. A criminal complaint was issued Dec. 16. Barmore is scheduled for a Feb. 3 arraignment.
“The New England Patriots are aware of reports regarding a pending February arraignment involving Christian Barmore, which stems from an alleged domestic incident that occurred in August,” the Patriots said.
“The Patriots were made aware at the time of the incident and informed the NFL in a timely manner.
“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.”
According to an incident report from the Mansfield Police Department, obtained by ABC, a woman who was in a relationship with Barmore said they engaged in an argument. She said that Barmore grabbed her phone before throwing her to the floor. She also alleged that Barmore grabbed her by the shirt in the “area of the neck.”
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation, as well as felony and misdemeanor charges filed last week against star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, when he met with reporters Wednesday in Foxborough, Mass.
He said he hasn’t “heard anything that would keep either player from the game,” in reference to the Patriots’ Week 18 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
“We’ve made a statement,” Vrabel told reporters. “We’ve taken the allegations very seriously. What comes of that, I think then we will have another discussion. I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now. Let the process take its time.”
Vrabel said Barmore would not practice Wednesday due to an unspecified illness.
The Patriots (13-3) will host the Dolphins (7-9) at 4:25 p.m. EST Sunday at Gillette Stadium.