0 Source: Star witness in Hardy trial may be a no-show

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Eyewitness News learned that there are serious concerns about whether the star witness in the case of Carolina Panthers Greg Hardy will testify in next week’s trial.



Sources told Eyewitness News that police and prosecutors don’t know where Hardy’s ex-girlfriend, Nicole Holder, is located.

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They also don’t know whether she will take the stand describing what Hardy allegedly did during an altercation in an uptown Charlotte condominium last summer.

Holder was there to tell a district court judge in July how Hardy choked and beat her after a night of drinking and arguing.

Judge Becky Tin found Hardy guilty and he appealed the case to Superior Court for a jury trial.



Under North Carolina law, Hardy’s conviction is effectively set aside and the case goes before a jury for a completely new trial.

As the victim, Holder is the most important witness for prosecutors and if she does not show up for trial, it would leave prosecutors without their strongest evidence.



“It could be a very interesting day on Monday,” said James Wyatt, a defense attorney in Charlotte who spoke with Eyewitness News as a legal expert.



If Holder is not present, the prosecutors could try to use her testimony from District Court to make their case, but it would hurt their case,” Wyatt said.



“It would put the prosecution at a disadvantage because the jury is going to want to hear from the alleged victim,” Wyatt said.

Hardy’s attorneys and prosecutors are not commenting on the developments but sources said they are preparing to go to trial as if Holder will be there.



The man who could dispel some of the doubt refused to do so Monday.



Holder’s attorney Daniel Zamora said he could not comment on the case, not even to say whether she would be there to testify.



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