The Columbus, Ohio attorney’s office has released text messages, written statements and other documents related to the investigation of domestic violence charges against Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Earlier this week, the city attorney’s office announced it will not pursue charges against Elliott because of conflicting information and insufficient evidence. The release of these documents was designed to back up the attorney’s decision.
The Dallas Morning News collected and posted many of the interviews and texts, including one in which Elliott’s accuser, Tiffany Thompson, told a friend via text message, “He showed up then yanked me out [of the car] if police ask.”
Thompson posted pictures on social media of bruises on her body. The Dallas Morning News posted interviews with witnesses, including two police officers, who saw Thompson fighting with another woman outside a nightclub before she called police and claimed that Elliott had assaulted her.
There were conflicting stories, too. In a written statement, Elliott told police that he and Thompson were “just friends” and “NEVER dated.” He also claimed in that statement that when he told Thompson the two weren’t going home together that night, “She said she was going to ruin my night.”
In Thompson’s written statement, she said she and Elliott had been staying at the same apartment and “when we pulled up, he yanked my arm and dragged me out of the car.”
She also wrote in her statement that she and Elliott had been dating for a year and a half and said at another time he “picked me up by my neck and threw me around.” Another witness provided a sworn affidavit that said he never saw Elliott “come into physical contact” with Thompson that night.