Statement: Hardy is Not Guilty

IU wide receiver James Hardy pleaded not guilty to a pair of charges Monday that stemmed from an alleged domestic dispute in Ft. Wayne last Friday. Meanwhile, Hardy’s lawyers have begun an independent investigation into the incident that landed Hardy in jail over the weekend.

The Ft. Wayne-based law firm of Tremper, Beechert, Leonard and Terrill, which is representing Hardy in the case, issued a statement Tuesday, one day after the Hoosier wide receiver issued his not guilty plea in Allen Superior Court.

“We are confident that Mr. Hardy is not guilty of these charges and we believe that ultimately he will prevail in the defense of these allegations,” attorney Randy Hammond said.

Hardy was arrested May 19 after Ft. Wayne police responded to a 911 call at 3509 S. Hanna Street at 5:40 p.m. On the call, dispatchers reportedly could hear profanity and screaming before the caller hung up. When police later arrived at the scene, Hardy’s girlfriend was found sitting across the street from the house crying, and her shirt was reportedly torn and she had marks on the side and back of her neck.

A probable cause affidavit states Hardy struck his girlfriend of seven years and their infant son.

In the statement, though, Hardy’s attorneys insist Hardy’s arrest was “based solely on misunderstandings and an unfortunate communication collapse between the parties involved,” and they also suggested the arrest was based on assumptions and inferences that are not only inaccurate but couldn’t stand up in court.

“We will be aggressive in our representation and defense of Mr. Hardy regarding these unsubstantiated charges,” Hammond said in the statement.

Hardy is coming of a second-team All-Big Ten season last fall, catching 61 passes for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns.

IU officials, meanwhile, are reviewing the situation as well.

“We’re aware of the situation and we are still collecting information on the matter,” said IU Media Relations Director Pete Rhoda. “If and when the matter is settled we will address it appropriately.”