UPDATE: Panthers' Greg Hardy found guilty

Update: Greg Hardy was found guilty Tuesday night of assaulting a female and communicating threats. A judge sentenced him to 18 months of probation. Hardy is

Update: Greg Hardy was found guilty Tuesday night of assaulting a female and communicating threats.  A judge sentenced him to 18 months of probation. Hardy is expected to appeal the verdict. 

The Carolina Panthers said they were aware of the verdict but had no comment Tuesday night. Hardy had pleaded not guilty earlier Tuesday to the charges of misdemeanor assault and communicating a threat. 

The charges stem from a May 13 altercation with his ex-girlfriend.

Nicole Holder testified that Hardy insulted her and threw her onto a futon with four firearms on it. She said Hardy proceeded to choke her and threaten to kill her.

Holder reportedly admitted to using cocaine on the night of the incident. From the Charlotte Observer:

“He looked me in my eyes and he told me he was going to kill me,” said Holder, 24, an EpiCentre nightclub waitress who used to live with Hardy.

“I was so scared I wanted to die. When he loosened his grip slightly, I said just, ‘Do it. Kill me.’”

Holder filed a restraining order against Hardy in May. Hardy was ordered to surrender 10 legally owned guns to police a day after the incident.

Hardy, 25, amassed 15 sacks and 40 tackles for the Panthers last season. He is set to earn more than $13 million this season after failing to negotiate a long-term deal before Tuesday's deadline.

- Chris Johnson and Will Green