Patriots DT Christian Barmore Avoids Domestic Assault Charge

Prosecutors drop case after alleged victim declines to travel for trial

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore will not face a domestic assault and battery charge after Massachusetts prosecutors decided to drop the case. The Bristol County District Attorney cited the alleged victim's unwillingness to travel out of state for the trial and the lack of an arrest at the time of the initial complaint as key factors in their decision to not pursue the charges.

Why it matters

Domestic violence allegations against professional athletes often draw significant public scrutiny, and the decision to drop the charges against Barmore highlights the complexities involved in prosecuting such cases, especially when the alleged victim is uncooperative.

The details

The criminal complaint stated that Barmore took his then-girlfriend's phone after an argument over air conditioning and food temperature on Aug. 8. As the woman attempted to leave Barmore's home and screamed for help, he allegedly threw her to the ground and grabbed her by the shirt. The woman reported the incident to local police on Aug. 25 and provided a photo showing bruises she claimed were from the incident.

  • The alleged incident occurred on August 8, 2025.
  • The alleged victim reported the incident to police on August 25, 2025.
  • The arraignment was originally scheduled for February 3, 2026 but was rescheduled due to the Patriots playing in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.
  • The case was dropped by prosecutors on March 9, 2026.

The players

Christian Barmore

A 26-year-old defensive tackle for the New England Patriots.

Thomas Quinn

The Bristol County District Attorney who announced the decision to drop the charges against Barmore.

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What they’re saying

“Domestic violence is something that I've taken very seriously my whole career. But we have an obligation as a DA to review all the evidence, and our review of the evidence was, this was not a case that we could prove.”

— Thomas Quinn, Bristol County District Attorney (WCVB)

“The evidence will demonstrate that no criminal conduct took place.”

— Barmore's attorney (Court documents)

What’s next

The judge in the case will not need to make a ruling now that the charges have been dropped.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in domestic violence cases, especially when the alleged victim is uncooperative. It also underscores the need for a thorough review of evidence before pursuing charges against high-profile individuals.