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Bills’ Von Miller says domestic assault case is closed and no charges filed against him

Bills’ Von Miller says domestic assault case is closed and no charges filed against him

PITTSFORD, NEW YORK — No charges have been filed, and Von Miller said Thursday he considers the case that he assaulted his pregnant girlfriend closed, based on feedback the Buffalo Bills defensive end has received from his legal representatives.

“There are no charges against me and the case is closed. I can move forward and just focus on football,” Miller told reporters after the Bills’ second day of training camp in suburban Rochester, New York.

“My life revolves around football right now, my kids and wanting to be the best teammate and the best football player I can be,” he added. “I’m happy to be here with the Buffalo Bills. I’m happy to be in this moment, living my life and doing the things that we normally do.”

Miller’s agent, Joby Branion, echoed his client’s comments, saying “the matter is closed” in a text to The Associated Press.

A message left with the Dallas district attorney’s office seeking information about the case was not immediately answered. The NFL, which is conducting its own investigation, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Miller, then 34, turned himself in to police in suburban Dallas on Nov. 30 after police charged him with third-degree assault on a pregnant woman, a charge that carries a possible two- to 10-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. He was released on $5,000 bail. The woman and Miller have been together for seven years and have two other children together.

In his first comments on the case a month later, Miller disputed the allegations as 100 percent false and “overblown.” Miller said something happened between him and his girlfriend, but stressed that it had nothing to do with what he allegedly did.

“Whatever happened, I hate that it happened. I hate that my name is associated with something like this, and it’s only a matter of time before I can get this straight,” Miller said at the time. “My girlfriend and I have problems like any other couple, but I’ve never been blamed for anything like that.”

According to a police affidavit about the alleged Nov. 29 assault, Miller allegedly put his hands on the woman’s neck twice, pulled out a strand of her hair and threw her onto a couch. The woman was treated for minor injuries, including bruises to her neck, cops wrote.

Police wrote that Miller was “visibly angry” when the woman entered an office in their shared apartment and slammed the door behind her.

Miller then told her to “get out,” police wrote, and when she tried to retrieve her laptop and cellphone, Miller began pushing her. She repeatedly yelled, “Stop. I’m pregnant,” police said. She fell into a chair after being pushed, and Miller then placed a hand on her neck and held it there for three to five seconds, police wrote.

Miller then allegedly threw the woman’s laptop to the ground and stomped on it, according to the document. She told police she filmed part of the assault, and when she threatened to call the police, he left.

The alleged incident occurred during the Bills’ bye week. Upon his return to Buffalo, Miller said he gave his side of the story in a meeting with team owner Terry Pegula, general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott, and with the Dallas attorney’s office listening in by phone.

The Bills followed the NFL’s lead in allowing Miller to continue playing because no charges had been filed.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl