Greg Hardy Case Dismissed: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The domestic violence case against Greg Hardy was dismissed on Feb. 9. The defensive end is seeking immediate reinstatement following the Adrian Peterson ruling.

Continue for updates.

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Hardy to Seek Immediate Reinstatement After AP Ruling

Thursday, Feb. 26

Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reported that Hardy "will seek immediate reinstatement following today's Adrian Peterson ruling, per a league source."

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and Andrew Brandt of ESPN both weighed in on the potential impact of Peterson's victory in court as he appealed his suspension, though Person indicated an NFL spokesman says Peterson's ruling is irrelevant to Hardy:

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports noted the difference in the two situations:

Hardy had his domestic violence case dismissed in February and was awaiting potential league discipline.

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NFL Will Try 'Everything They Can' to Suspend Hardy

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole explained why the league is looking to try everything in order to have Hardy serve a suspension for his domestic violence case:

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NFL to Review Hardy's Court Record

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer reported on the league's investigation into Hardy following the dismissal of his domestic violence case:

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Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy might be cleared from a legal standpoint after his domestic violence charges were dismissed this week, but Hardy is now under investigation by the NFL.

Outside advisor Lisa Friel, a former sex crimes prosecutor in New York, and league officials will review Hardy's court record as part of their probe to determine whether he violated the NFL's new personal conduct policy, league spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Observer on Wednesday.

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Hardy's Case Dismissed

Monday, Feb. 9

The domestic violence case against Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy has been dismissed.

A judge accepted a motion from the district attorney on Monday to dismiss both charges against Hardy, citing their inability to find Nicole Holder, the woman who accused him of domestic violence, per Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer:

The state claims it has "reliable knowledge" that Holder and Hardy reached a civil settlement out of court, per Jones. Sources close to the situation told Bleacher Report's Jason Cole that the state attempted to serve Holder with a subpoena but was unable to locate her in time for Monday's trial date.     

Holder told prosecutors in October she would not participate in a second trial, per Joseph Pearson of The Charlotte Observer:  

The Panthers issued a statement on the matter, via the Black & Blue Review on Twitter:

Hardy, 26, was convicted of assault and communicating threats last July. A judge initially sentenced him to 18 months' probation and a suspended jail sentence of 60 days, but Hardy filed an appeal of the conviction that sent his career into flux.

Initially expected to play through the appeals process, Hardy was placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list after only one game. In an effort to curb public backlash and allow him to prepare for what was then expected to be a November trial, the Panthers and their Pro Bowl defensive end agreed to the "voluntary leave."

"We understand Greg's decision and given the circumstances, it is very important he concentrates on his legal issues," general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement in September. "We believe that this is the right course of action at this time." 

MIKE MCCARN/Associated Press

Under rules of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, Carolina still had to pay Hardy's $13.1 million salary for 2014. He was not allowed to appear at practice or team facilities while serving what amounted to a paid suspension. He finished the season with four tackles and one sack. 

The NFL's next course of action is unclear. Under a new policy outlined by commissioner Roger Goodell, players convicted of domestic violence serve a six-game suspension for their first offense. The NFL's personal conduct policy does, however, give the commissioner permission to discipline a player without a conviction in a court of law.

As Pro Football Talk's Twitter feed points out, Hardy could still face a suspension:

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports passed along comment from the league, which said that Hardy's status remains unchained until the NFL can review the matter.

Regardless, it's highly unlikely Goodell will make Hardy serve the six-game ban he would have received had his conviction been upheld. That may pay huge dividends next month, when Hardy will be a free agent. 

David Newton of ESPN.com reported Monday that the Panthers are "not expected" to bring Hardy back. A second-team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowler in 2013, Hardy recorded 26 sacks in his final two full seasons in Carolina.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter