Jonathan Taylor dismissed by Bama

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Sunday, March 29, 2015

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor has been dismissed from the team after he was arrested again on domestic violence charges in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

"This will still need to go through the legal process, but when he was given an opportunity here, it was under strict guidelines and we made it clear there was a zero-tolerance policy," coach Nick Saban said in a statement.

The 6-foot-4, 335-pound Taylor was arrested Saturday night and charged with domestic violence third-degree assault and domestic violence third-degree criminal mischief, according to the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

According to an incident report, police officers responded to a call near Alabama's campus to speak with a woman who told police she was assaulted by her boyfriend at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday.

After speaking to the woman about an altercation that took place at her residence, officers located the suspect at the residence and spoke to him about the incident. Officers found probable cause to arrest the suspect.

The 24-year-old woman had minor injuries to her neck from the assault, according to the police report. The officer also noted in the report damage to a bedroom closet door with a hole punched in it.

Taylor was held on $1,000 bond and placed on a mandatory 12-hour domestic violence hold.

"Representing this University is a privilege that none of us can take for granted," Alabama athletic director Bill Battle said in a statement. "As I noted in my comments when the decision was made to allow Jonathan Taylor to attend the University on a football scholarship, I believe in second chances. I still do.

"However, being successful in that second chance requires responsibility and accountability. In Jonathan's situation, the University and the Department of Athletics set forth very clear standards of accountability and expectations of conduct. Jonathan was afforded a chance to successfully overcome the difficulties that resulted in his departure from the University of Georgia. Unfortunately, it appears that he was unable to do so, in spite of extensive efforts to assist him."

University spokeswoman Deborah Lane said Sunday that Taylor has been referred to judicial affairs.

Saban and Battle both said Taylor warranted a second chance when he signed in January as part of the Crimson Tide's 2015 class. On signing day, Saban called it a "university decision" and said it was determined "that he was the kind of guy that deserved a second chance."

Taylor had been kicked off the Georgia Bulldogs football team in July after being arrested on a charge of felony aggravated assault and family violence. Police said he struck his girlfriend with a closed fist and choked her during an argument at Taylor's dormitory room. That case is still pending.

He also was one of four Georgia players arrested last March for receiving double payments for checks of $71.50 issued by the school's athletic department.

Taylor spent last fall at Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) Community College and enrolled at Alabama in January, which caused a stir nationally.

Taylor's arrest came just hours after Alabama defensive back Geno Smith was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Saturday morning, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office website.

Information from ESPN's Chris Low and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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