Texas attorney Von Miller investigation alleged victim recants

NFL linebacker Von Miller faces felony assault charges after an altercation with his pregnant girlfriend, but she may be recanting her statement.

Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller turned himself in to face a felony assault warrant after allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in their luxury apartment in Dallas, Texas. The victim suffered minor injuries, but under Texas law, assault against a pregnant person is a third-degree felony. Despite the victim walking back some of her statements, legal experts say that her recanting her statement does not necessarily exonerate Miller. Assault is typically a class A misdemeanor in Texas, but assaulting a pregnant person elevates the charge to a third-degree felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison if convicted.

The Dallas Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit observed minor abrasions on the victim's left hand along with bruising to her neck, injuries consistent with applied pressure to the neck. Miller was previously investigated for an alleged domestic incident in 2021 but was not charged by a district attorney in Colorado.

The Buffalo Bills are currently on their bye week, and the NFL is working with the team amid the investigation. Miller and his girlfriend have been in a romantic relationship for 7 years and have children together. The warrant for his arrest states that the victim is six weeks pregnant and had discussed her due date and doctor's visits with Miller. The incident began over an argument about travel plans, and Miller allegedly became "visibly angry" and yelled at her to "get out" while attempting to push and shove her out of the apartment.

Legal experts in Texas say this will be a lengthy legal process, and the district attorney's office will not begin their investigation until it receives the police documents, which could take about a month. Then, prosecutors will investigate the case and could push it to a grand jury, which would decide if Miller should be indicted and go to trial on these charges. Several attorneys in Dallas say this case will likely be expedited because of Miller's status, and a plea deal or other agreement could be made during the investigation.