When the Browns selected Caleb Brantley during the sixth round of the NFL Draft last month, the team knew there would be some controversy. However, it doesn't look like that controversy will be following Brantley around much longer.
A court in Florida has dismissed the misdemeanor battery charge that was filed against Brantley just days before the draft kicked off. An Alachua County (Fla.) court ordered that the charge be dismissed due to "insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction."
Brantley had been charged for allegedly punching a female student outside a bar in Gainesville on April 13.
State Attorney William P. Cervone listed multiple reasons why the state of Florida decided to drop the case. According to Cervone's statement, which was obtained by Cleveland.com, the alleged victim had been drinking heavily on the night of the incident and was initially uncooperative with police. Cervone also noted that a neutral witness supported Brantley's version of events.
Cervone also noted that reports suggesting the victim had suffered a major injury were inaccurate, and that they were "inconsistent with any great force having been used against her."
Brantley, who saw his draft stock tumble after the incident, released a statement through the Browns.
"I'm grateful for today's ruling," Brantley said. "I won't take the opportunity the Browns have given me for granted and now I can shift all my focus on working hard to make this football team while also showing my teammates, coaches, the organization and this community the type of person I really am."
The former University Florida defensive lineman was projected to go as high as the second round but fell to the sixth round after the incident. At the time, Browns executive vice president Sashi Brown defended the pick by pointing out that Cleveland had done its homework on Brantley.
After the charge was dismissed, Brown said that it's time for Brantley to move forward.
"Based on our information, we understood there was a reasonable chance that the charges would be dismissed," Brown said in a statement. "As we have previously discussed, the allegations made regarding the incident were not something we take lightly. Caleb understands that we have an expectation and standard for every member of our organization. He's a talented young man with a great opportunity in front of him. Caleb must grow as a person from this situation. He is now able to move forward and focus on earning a spot on this roster."
Brantley will be with the team when the Browns begin their first session of OTAs on May 23.
