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Domestic violence charges against Celtics’ Sullinger dropped

Jared Sullinger

Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger (7) poses for a photographer during the NBA team basketball media day in Waltham, Mass., Monday, Sept. 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

AP

We tell you when these cases come up, it’s only right we also tell you when they go away.

Which is what happened in the case of Celtics second-year player Jared Sullinger. On Aug. 31 he had a fight with his girlfriend and a few days later he was arrested and eventually arraigned on charges of assault and battery, destruction of property, and intimidation of a witness.

However, from the start Sullinger’s girlfriend, Deann Smith, asked that the charges be dropped, and she eventually got her way, reports Masslive.com (hat tip to Royce at EOB).

Smith has repeatedly asked that the charges be dropped, and it was her refusal to testify against Sullinger that ultimately led to the case’s conclusion. Through her attorney, Smith informed the Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan’s office that she would exercise her Fifth Amendment rights if called as a witness.

No witness, no case.

Since we don’t know the details of what happened and it is between Sullinger and Smith, I’m not going to comment beyond that. Here is the statement Sullinger gave after his arrest.

“I voluntarily reported to the Waltham police this morning to respond to charges against me. The experience was humbling and embarrassing for me. Yet I know that this situation has brought both sorrow and embarrassment to my girlfriend, my family, the Boston Celtics organization, my teammates, and my fans. To all of you, I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”