Prosecutors to Drop Domestic Assault Charge Against Patriots' Christian Barmore

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Massachusetts prosecutors announced they will drop a domestic assault and battery charge against New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore. The 26-year-old player was accused of briefly taking his girlfriend's phone, throwing her to the floor, and grabbing her shirt during an argument last year. However, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said the woman who made the complaint did not want to travel out of state for the case, leading them to conclude they could not prove the charges.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors can face when victims are unwilling to fully cooperate, even in high-profile cases involving professional athletes. It also raises questions about how domestic violence allegations are handled, especially when there are conflicting accounts of what occurred.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged incident occurred on August 8th at Barmore's home in Mansfield, outside of Boston. The woman reported the incident to Mansfield police on August 25th, nearly three weeks later, and provided a photo showing bruising she said happened when she was thrown to the floor. However, District Attorney Quinn noted that Barmore was not arrested when the initial complaint was made, which he said was a significant factor in the decision to drop the charges.

• The alleged incident occurred on August 8, 2025.
• The woman reported the incident to police on August 25, 2025, nearly three weeks later.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.