Former Washington Redskins player Fred Smoot was found not guilty of assault Monday afternoon, News4's Chris Gordon reported.
Smoot's bench trial began Monday morning in Loudoun County, Virginia.
In November, Smoot's former girlfriend Valerie Jackson told police that Smoot grabbed her during an altercation at their home on Victorias Cross Terrace. Pictures Jackson posted on Instagram appeared to show marks on her neck, shoulder and arms.
Smoot, 35, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic assault.
Jackson testified that Smoot woke her up in a rage, screaming for the keys to the truck he let her use. She testified she into the bathroom and Smoot kicked a hole in the door and ripped her shorts, leaving makrs on her stomach. She said she suffered abrasions when Smoot ripped a cellphone from her hand.
Smoot testified a different version of that argument. He said he needed to take the truck to work because his Escalade wasn't working and she told him to take a cab or call a friend.
He said he got frustrated and kicked the door open but didn't hit Jackson. And he testified that her shorts were ripped when he tried to prevent her from going outside only partly clothed.
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Smoot testified Jackson was trying to ruin his career after he broke up with her in October and refused to pay her medical and legal bills.
The judge ruled it a case of "he said, she said" in finding Smoot not guilty.
Smoot told Gordon he has never hit a woman and never would.
"I know what happened," Jackson said. "He knows what happened. The truth is the truth."
Smoot is a contributor to Comcast SportsNet, which is owned by the same company as NBC4. Smoot's appearances on the network have been suspended indefinitely. He was also suspended from his sports talk radio appearances on 106.7 The Fan.
He said Monday he is looking forward to returning to work.
