The domestic violence charges against Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy have been dismissed.
ESPN noted that the news was announced by prosecutors on Monday who said Hardy’s accuser ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder, was a no-show for court.
The Charlotte Observer reported that Holder is believed to have reached a civil settlement with Hardy for an undisclosed amount and therefore did not make herself available to testify.
Prosecutors explained that they made numerous attempts to contact and locate her for the trial in which jury duty was scheduled to start. However, despite those repeated request and subpoenas, Holder was not found and her testimony against the Pro Bowler could not be used.
"To prosecute domestic violence cases, we encourage domestic violence victims to not only report domestic violence but to participate in every level of the prosecution," Charlotte District Attorney Andrew Murray said outside the courthouse. "We need that participation in order to gain justice for not only victims of domestic violence, but for this community."
The case, in which Hardy was appealing his 2014 conviction, comes at a time when the NFL has been cracking down on domestic abuse cases ever since the disastrous Ray Rice situation.
Hardy did not comment as he left the courtroom. He was placed on the commissioner's exempt list in September and will become an unrestricted free agent next month.