Attorney for Indiana wideout claims client innocent

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- An attorney for Indiana University's top wide receiver from last season says that he is innocent of a domestic battery charge he faces for what authorities said was an attack on his girlfriend and their infant son.

James Hardy, 20, was arrested Friday by police officers who responded to a 911 call at his girlfriend's home, where they reported finding her with a torn shirt and reddish marks on the back of her neck.

Hardy pleaded not guilty in court Monday and was released on bond after spending the weekend in the Allen County Jail.

"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," defense attorney Randy Hammond said in a statement Tuesday. "We will be aggressive in our representation and defense of Mr. Hardy regarding these unsubstantiated charges."

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Hardy was Indiana's leading receiver last season with 61 catches for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman and was named second team All-Big Ten.

Police said that Hardy, a 2004 graduate of Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, at first told officers that he and his girlfriend of seven years did not have a physical confrontation, but later said he pushed her when she "got into his face," police said. Court documents also say Hardy struck the infant.

The charges are each punishable by up to one year in jail.

IU athletics spokesman Pete Rhoda said school officials were gathering information about the allegations against Hardy.

"If and when the matter is settled, we will address it appropriately," Rhoda said.