Patriots DL Christian Barmore facing domestic violence charge

Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore is facing a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery on a family/household member, according to court documents.

Barmore, 26, has been accused of by his on-again, off-again girlfriend who claims he grabbed her and threw her to the ground during an alleged domestic incident on Aug. 8. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Attleboro District Court on Feb. 3.

According to the police report, the victim is the mother of Barmore’s 2-year-old daughter, and the two were living together in his Mansfield apartment. That morning, Barmore allegedly became incensed over the air conditioning being set at 70 degrees instead of 68 and again when his daughter wanted to visit him in his bedroom. Barmore, according to the report, placed the girl on the floor outside his bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Later, he grew angry upon seeing the victim sitting down to eat and consuming what he described as “his food.” The court documents state she then attempted to call her mother, but Barmore took her phone, at which point she tried to pack her belongings and leave. According to the report, the victim “intended to open the door and scream for help, but Christian grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor.”

Barmore, the victim alleges, next grabbed her by the shirt around her neck as she tried to stand and eventually let her go. She finally gathered her things and claims Barmore charged at her, but did not make contact because, she believes, their daughter tried to jump into her arms at that moment.

According to the police report, she contacted a car service the Patriots provide for players and was picked up roughly an hour later. The victim said she was driven with her daughter to Delaware, and has since expressed she wants no more contact with Barmore. In the court documents, the victim is described as telling police she was fearful of Barmore and his “handlers,” and that he allegedly threatened to have his family members assault her, saying “I’m going to get my cousin to f— you up.”

She also provided a photo of bruises suffered during the alleged incident, according to police, who attached the photo to the report. According to the documents, the victim said Barmore had previously threatened others while saying “with the money he has he can hire anyone (to harm them).” She told police she went to a Delaware court to apply for a restraining order, but did not receive one.

Per the report, the victim next emailed authorities on Sept. 9 stating she had decided to press charges, at which point the officer she had been in contact with said he would apply for a show cause hearing. The complaint was filed Dec. 16, according to Attleboro District Court.

On Wednesday, the Patriots released the following statement: “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 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.”

In a press conference Wednesday, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Barmore was away from the facility due to illness.

Asked why the team has felt comfortable continuing to field Barmore at practice and in games since becoming aware of the incident in August, Vrabel said: “Again, (They’re) just allegations. And we want to make sure that those ongoing court proceedings, once those are satisfied, then, you know, we’ll come to whatever conclusion and whatever decision that we have to make. And we’ll also stay committed to our preparation here with Miami and making sure that everybody’s ready to go whoever plays on Sunday.”

Vrabel did not say whether Barmore has denied the allegations. On Tuesday, the team specified in its statement about Stefon Diggs that Diggs has “categorically denied” the accusations that recently led felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an alleged incident involving his personal chef on Dec. 2.

Vrabel said Wednesday he hasn’t heard anything from the league that would prevent Barmore or Diggs from playing Sunday against the Dolphins.

“We’ve taken the allegation very seriously, and when it comes to that, I think then we’ll have another discussion,” he said. “But I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now. Let the process (play out).”

The nature of these charges could eventually land Barmore or Diggs on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list, which effectively functions as paid administrative leave. However, the league released a statement Wednesday indicating both players will likely continue to play until they are formally charged by a prosecutor.

“There is no change to the status of Diggs or Barmore. Both are eligible to play at this time,” the statement read. “Pursuant to the Personal Conduct Policy, consideration for placement on the Commissioner Exempt List may be considered following formal charges in the form of an indictment by a grand jury, the filing of charges by a prosecutor, or an arraignment in a criminal court.”

In the Patriots locker room, multiple veteran players insisted they are focused on Sunday’s season finale instead of the potential legal turmoil facing their teammates.

“It looks like more of a distraction from probably the outside,” center Garrett Bradbury said Wednesday. “But we’re focused on us. It’s a bunch of professionals in this locker room.”