Yesterday, it was reported that New Orleans Saints linebacker Junior Galette had been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. Today, we have more details on the incident.
Galette, 26, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of battery involving domestic violence for reportedly shoving a woman to the ground while attempting to make her leave his home, ESPN reports. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. ET Monday at his home.
Galette was released from custody on $600 bond later in the day. The former undrafted free agent could face a six-game suspension under the NFL's new personal conduct policy as a first-time offender if the league finds that punishment is warranted.
Police in Kenner, Louisiana, report that there are differing stories regarding the relationship between Galette and the 22-year-old woman. She maintains that she used to live with Galette and that she still has cooked and cleaned for him over the last two years. Galette claims that she is a dancer who was supposed to leave his home the night before but was permitted to stay until the morning.
The alleged victim called police to Galette's home and was visibly injured when authorities arrived. Police said that she was bleeding from her ear after an earring had been ripped out and that she had scratches on her face.
She told police that Galette and his cousin, Terrance Banks Jr. who was also arrested, refused to give her money for transportation before kicking her out of the house. Her account of the incident claims that Galette shoved her twice while trying to usher her out of the home, and after she fell, both men were "on me" and she was struggling to breathe. Banks than reportedly carried her out of the house and took her phone away as she tried to dial 911.
The police report that the woman grabbed a knife because she feared being "jumped" again. Galette then began recording a video of her, to which she dropped the knife and was forced outside again. Authorities are trying to get a search warrant to view the video on the phone.
The NFL has stiffened its treatment of violent incidents in the wake of front-page domestic violence incidents involving star players such as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy. With the new policy, players can still be punished even if their legal cases do not result in criminal convictions. A first offense carries with it a six-game suspension without pay. A second offense results in a permanent ban from the NFL.
Galette signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent back in 2010. Since then, he has emerged as a talented pass-rusher, signing a four-year contract worth $41.5 million in September. Galette finished this season with 10 sacks.
