Junior Galette's Domestic Violence Charge Dropped: Latest Details, Reaction

Domestic violence charges filed against New Orleans Saints linebacker Junior Galette were dismissed Thursday, his attorney announced in a statement.

Continue for updates. 

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Saints Unlikely to Trade Galette Due to Contract, Legal Woes

Wednesday, March 4

Due to Galette's contract, it appears the Saints will be unable to trade Galette, per John Middlekauff of CSNAuthentic.

Middlekauff replied to a response from Bleacher Report's Matt Miller that suggested the legal trouble surrounding him is also a big part of why the Saints are having trouble trading Galette:

On  Feb. 25, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Saints coach Sean Payton wants to part with Galette:

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Coach Sean Payton has expressed a desire to part with troubled pass rusher Junior Galette, according to sources, with the team exploring options to part with him after his January arrest. But the contract looks pretty iron-clad, with a fully guaranteed $12.5M roster bonus coming due in mid-March. Because his arrest came in the offseason and did not cause him to miss a practice or game, sources who have read the contract believe the NFLPA would object to any attempt to circumvent it. I don't see them getting around this.

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Galette's Charges Dropped 

Thursday, Feb. 19 

Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate provided the full statement:

Galette, 26, was arrested Jan. 5 after an incident in which he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground. Police at the time accused Gallette of physically trying to force a female guest to leave his home, with the woman saying he and her cousin "jumped her," per Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate.

Galette is also involved in a civil lawsuit filed by the woman, who accused him of abuse over their two-year relationship, per Paul Purpura of NOLA.com. The suit also claims he allowed other unnamed Saints players to "grope" her after he had drugged her.

"The person who has falsely accused Junior has retained a lawyer and requested in writing an outrageous $2 million shakedown, or they threatened to file this lawsuit that is filled with lies," attorney Ralph Whalen said. "We unequivocally rejected their offer, because we are confident an investigation and a full hearing of the facts will reveal that Junior Galette behaved appropriately and will be cleared."

Uncredited/Associated Press

The criminal case's dismissal means Galette will not be subject to a six-game suspension under the NFL's domestic violence policy. It is possible the NFL chooses to independently investigate the case and punish Gallette under the personal conduct policy. Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended players a number of times in the past without a criminal conviction.

In the civil suit, the woman says she lived with Galette for the last two years. Through his attorney, Galette has denied all claims in the civil and criminal cases against him. The woman's attorney says the civil case will move forward, per ESPN's Mike Triplett. 

The pass-rushing specialist recorded 45 tackles and 10 sacks last season, his fifth in New Orleans.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.