It's a second criminal charge for New England this week: Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery on a household or family member over an alleged August incident, according to court records in Attleboro, Mass. The charge was filed Dec. 16, with an arraignment set for Feb. 3. A woman whom ABC News describes as "his daughter's mother who is pregnant with his second child" told police an argument at his home turned physical, per the charging document.
The 31-year-old, who has reportedly been in an on-and-off relationship with Barmore for three years, alleged that on Aug. 8 Barmore became upset with her over his apartment's air conditioning setting—CBS News reports he allegedly wanted it lowered from 70 to 68—and allegedly asked "why she was eating his food." Per the charging document, she alleged Barmore grabbed her phone as she was talking to her mother, prevented her from opening the door to call for help, threw her to the floor, and grabbed her by the shirt near the neck before letting her go.
She filed a report with the Mansfield Police Department on Aug. 25, saying she was reluctant to contact them initially because Barmore is a pro athlete. The Patriots said they learned of the incident when it occurred and notified the NFL "in a timely manner," adding that the case is "part of an ongoing legal process" and that the team will monitor it and cooperate with the league. Barmore's attorney, David Meier, said he is "confident that the evidence will demonstrate that no criminal conduct took place" and predicted the matter would be resolved "in the near future." Barmore was absent from the team Wednesday due to an illness, head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters.
The 26-year-old, a 2021 second-round pick out of Alabama, has started 15 of 16 games this season and is third on the team in quarterback hits, reports ESPN. The case, along with a separate one involving receiver Stefon Diggs—who faces a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault charge in an unrelated December incident—is under NFL Personal Conduct Policy review. Both players currently remain eligible to play.
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