Cardinals’ Jonathan Dywer Pleads Not Guilty to Domestic Abuse

Jonathan Dwyer

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault on Monday (Oct. 6) after being accused of assaulting his wife during two arguments at their Phoenix apartment.

According to investigators, Dwyer head-butted his wife during a July 21 argument, breaking her nose. They also claim he punched her the next day and threw a shoe at his 17-month-old son, who was not injured.

The NFL player was arrested on September 17 following the altercation, and was charged with a felony and eight misdemeanors including aggravated assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

Dwyer’s wife told authorities the first assault occurred after she learned her husband had been having phone contact with another woman.

During a brief appearance at Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona, the 25-year-old denied the accusations.

“Jonathan Dwyer is a very good man,” Robert Feinberg, one of Dwyer’s attorneys, said outside of court. “Mr. Dwyer has never before been accused of any wrongdoing, of any type, in the criminal sphere.”

The NFL has said the Dwyer case will be reviewed under the league’s personal-conduct policy.

The Cardinals released a statement following the arrest saying: “We became aware of these allegations this afternoon when notified by Phoenix police and are cooperating fully.”

The statement continued: “Given the serious nature of the allegations we have taken the immediate step to deactivate Jonathan from all team activities. We will continue to closely monitor this as it develops and evaluate additional information as it becomes available.”

Dwyer has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, meaning he can’t play for Arizona again this season.

His next court appearance is Nov. 20.

Read more on this story at the Associated Press.

(Photo Credit: Twitter)