New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore, 26, is facing a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault and battery following allegations made by his longtime girlfriend, according to a criminal complaint issued in Massachusetts. The case, which stems from an incident alleged to have occurred in August at Barmore’s home in Mansfield, outside Boston, has drawn attention not only because of the seriousness of the accusations but also because of Barmore’s status as a prominent NFL player. While the legal process remains ongoing, details contained in police reports and public statements from both sides provide a clearer picture of the circumstances that led to the charge and the response from the Patriots organization and the league.
Details of the Alleged Incident and Police Complaint
According to the criminal complaint dated December 18, the woman told police that an altercation occurred inside Barmore’s Mansfield home earlier in August. The complaint alleges that Barmore briefly took the woman’s phone, threw her to the ground, and grabbed her by the shirt during a confrontation. Mansfield Police Sgt. John Armstrong confirmed that the woman contacted police on August 25, nearly three weeks after the alleged incident took place.
The woman told investigators that she had stayed at Barmore’s residence periodically during their relationship, which she described as lasting several years. She also stated that the couple share a daughter. According to her account, tensions escalated during the early morning hours of August 8. She said she brought their daughter into Barmore’s bedroom, explaining to police that the child wanted to see him. At the time, she said Barmore was upset about the thermostat being set two degrees warmer than he preferred.
The complaint states that the woman alleged Barmore picked up their daughter, placed her on the floor just outside the master bedroom, turned back into the room, and slammed the door shut. She told police that later that day, as she began packing her belongings to leave the house, another confrontation occurred. According to the report, Barmore allegedly took her phone from her hand and disconnected a call she was having with her mother.
When the woman attempted to leave the home to call for help, she told police that Barmore grabbed her and threw her to the floor. The complaint alleges that he then grabbed her by the shirt before eventually letting go. The woman reported that she was able to get up afterward. She later provided police with a photograph showing bruises that she said were sustained when she was thrown to the ground.
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Following the incident, a vehicle provided by the New England Patriots reportedly picked up the woman and their daughter and drove them to Delaware. The complaint does not specify how long after the incident this occurred, but it notes that the woman left Massachusetts following the altercation. An arraignment in the case has been scheduled for early February. The charge filed against Barmore is a misdemeanor, and no additional charges were listed in the complaint at the time it was issued.
Legal Response and Statements From Barmore’s Attorney
Christian Barmore, through his legal counsel, has denied the allegations. His attorney, David Meier, released a statement on Wednesday asserting that the evidence would not support the criminal charge. Meier described the situation as a personal matter and expressed confidence that it would be resolved without further escalation.
“The evidence will demonstrate that no criminal conduct took place,” Meier said in the statement. He added that he expected the matter to be resolved in the near future and that both parties would move forward together. The attorney’s comments signal an intention to contest the allegations rather than seek an immediate plea or settlement.
At this stage, no court testimony has been given, and the case remains in its early procedural phase. Because the complaint was issued several months after the alleged incident and the arraignment is scheduled for February, it is likely that prosecutors and defense attorneys will continue to review evidence, including photographs, phone records, and any potential witness statements, before the case advances further.
Under Massachusetts law, domestic assault and battery is treated seriously, even when charged as a misdemeanor. Convictions can carry penalties including probation, mandatory counseling, fines, or jail time, depending on the circumstances and the defendant’s prior record. Barmore has not publicly commented on the case himself, relying instead on his attorney to address the allegations.
Reaction From the Patriots, the NFL, and the Broader Context
The New England Patriots organization acknowledged that it was aware of the situation when it occurred and stated that it had notified the NFL. In an emailed statement from the team’s public relations office, the Patriots emphasized that the case remains part of an ongoing legal process. “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,” the statement said.
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New England head coach Mike Vrabel also addressed the situation briefly while speaking to reporters. Vrabel said that Barmore was away from the team on Wednesday due to an illness and that, at the time, he had not heard anything that would make the defensive lineman unavailable to play in the upcoming game on Sunday. Vrabel stressed the importance of allowing the legal process to proceed before drawing conclusions.
“We’ve made a statement and we’ve taken the allegations very seriously,” Vrabel said, noting that the Patriots were also dealing with allegations involving wide receiver Stefon Diggs in a separate case. Diggs has been charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery in an unrelated dispute with his former private chef.
“I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now. Let the process take its toll,” Vrabel added.
The NFL has a personal conduct policy that applies to players regardless of whether they are convicted of a crime. The league has the authority to investigate allegations independently and impose discipline, including suspensions, even in cases that result in no criminal conviction. The Patriots’ confirmation that the league was notified indicates that the matter could eventually be reviewed under that policy, depending on how the legal case unfolds.
Barmore was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama. Since entering the league, he has been a key contributor on the defensive line, earning recognition for his interior pass-rushing ability and playing a significant role in New England’s defensive schemes. Any potential discipline, whether from the court system or the league, could have implications for his availability and future with the team.
As the arraignment date approaches, attention will likely focus on what evidence is presented and how prosecutors and defense attorneys frame their arguments. For now, the case remains unresolved, with both sides offering sharply different accounts of what occurred.