Panthers DE Greg Hardy's trial postponed until after season

Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy's trial for domestic abuse charges has been postponed until after the season, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday. The trial was scheduled to start on Nov. 17, but has now been postponed to early 2015 because the DA is trying a capital murder case that has taken longer than anticipated and another is scheduled for later this month.

Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy's trial for domestic abuse charges has been postponed until after the season, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday. 

The trial was scheduled to start on Nov. 17, but it has now been postponed to early 2015 because the DA is trying a capital murder case that has taken longer than anticipated and has another scheduled for later this month.

Hardy was found guilty in a preliminary trial for assaulting a woman and communicating threats in July by a judge, but he has the right to a jury trial under North Carolina law. He allegedly threw his girlfriend onto a futon with guns on it, choked her and threatened to kill her.

• WERTHEIM AND KAPLAN: An inside look at the Greg Hardy case

Hardy played in Week 1, but he was deactivated for Week 2 and has since been on the Commissioner's Exempt list. He is not allowed to practice with the team, though he is still collecting his $13.1 million salary while on the list.

The District Attorney's Office released the following statement:

"The decision was made today to continue Greg Hardy's trial to early 2015. An exact date has not yet been set.

"The State is currently trying a capital murder case, which began on Sept. 16 and is expected to continue at least through the end of this month. This matter has taken longer than expected, and another homicide trial is set to begin on Nov. 17, limiting the number of available courtrooms. The District Attorney's Office must now adjust the dockets in several courtrooms, affecting multiple cases that had been scheduled for the coming weeks. These changes will affect the Domestic Violence Team's cases scheduled for the week of Nov. 17. A number of matters must be continued."

Last week, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he thought Hardy should be able to play this year if his trial is postponed until after the season. 

Hardy made the Pro Bowl in 2013 after recording 15 sacks for Carolina. 

- Paul Palladino