The trial for Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy began and ended Tuesday as the Pro Bowler was found guilty of assaulting a female and communicating threats.
“The court is entirely convinced Hardy is guilty of assault on a female and communicating threats,” said District Judge Becky Thorne Tin in announcing her ruling about 9 p.m.
Hardy’s ex-girlfriend, Nicole Holder, testified that he assaulted her after a night of partying.
Holder said that later she and Hardy went to the luxury Charlotte nightclub Bubble at the EpiCentre. Hardy spent more than $2,000, she said.
Then, Holder said Hardy grew agitated at her and, “to top everything off, a Nelly song came on.” She had earlier told police that Hardy was upset with her because of a short-term relationship she had with Nelly, a Grammy-winning rap artist and a part owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, at a time when she and Hardy had broken up.
After going to the condo, Hardy began hurling insults at her, calling her a whore and a slut, Holder testified, then backhanded her into a wall. She said he slammed her onto a sofa strewn with firearms, and then choked her.
When he loosened his grip, Holder said, she struck him in the temple with her shoe. Sammy Curtis, a friend of Hardy’s, came in and tackled her, she said.
“He looked me in my eyes and he told me he was going to kill me,” said Holder, 24, an EpiCentre nightclub waitress who said she used to live with Hardy.
“I was so scared I wanted to die. When he loosened his grip slightly, I said , ‘Just do it. Kill me.’ ”
Hardy was sentenced to a suspended 6 months in jail and 18 months of probation. Hardy has filed an appeal.