Washington Redskins defensive back Montae Nicholson (35) had misdemeanor assault charges dropped Tuesday. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)
Misdemeanor assault charges against Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson were dropped in Loudoun County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning. His lawyer, Mark Dycio, said they were dropped because of a lack of evidence.
Nicholson, 23, was arrested after an altercation with a man and woman outside the World of Beer restaurant and bar in Ashburn, at a shopping center near the Redskins’ practice facility. Nicholson was accused of assaulting the man. Sydney A. Maggiore, who was arrested with Nicholson, was accused of striking the woman with a bottle and assaulting the man.
The victims were taken to a hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries, but neither testified Tuesday. The misdemeanor assault charges carried a sentence of up to 12 months in jail.
An accompanying misdemeanor public swearing/intoxication charge against Nicholson will not be pursued at this time, according to the court.
A video published by TMZ appeared to show a person said to be Nicholson punching a man and knocking him unconscious. The video did not show what led to the altercation.
[From December: Montae Nicholson arrested and charged with assault]
Nicholson did not speak as the judge dropped the charges quickly after the case was called.
The Redskins placed Nicholson on the non-football illness list shortly after the arrest, and he did not play in the final two games of the 2018 season after previously starting seven games. The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Michigan State has 65 career tackles and one interception.
Coach Jay Gruden and Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams previously said they were waiting to see how the case would play out before determining disciplinary action. The team declined to comment on the charges being dropped.
Nicholson could return to the starting lineup this season, because Washington has an opening at safety next to Landon Collins, who was signed to an $84 million contract in free agency. Deshazor Everett is Nicholson’s biggest competition for the role after Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signed with the Chicago Bears this offseason.
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