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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor, signed about six months after Georgia dismissed him following his arrest in a girlfriend's assault, faces a new domestic violence charge, police said.
The 21-year-old Taylor was arrested Saturday evening after a woman reported her boyfriend assaulted her, a Tuscaloosa police news release said. Taylor has been charged with domestic violence third-degree assault and domestic violence third-degree criminal mischief, police said.
The news release said officers spoke to the 24-year-old woman about a fight at her house at about 6 p.m., then to Taylor and found probable cause to arrest him. Police said the woman had injuries to her neck.
Taylor was being held early Sunday at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on $1,000 bond.
The lineman, listed at 6 feet, 4 inches and 335 pounds on the Tide roster, was dismissed from Georgia in July 2014 following his arrest on aggravated assault and family violence charges.
The Tide announced in January they had signed the junior as part of the 2015 recruiting class after he played last season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi.
Saban on signing day in February defended acquiring Taylor.
He described allowing Taylor to enroll as "a university decision" and said it was determined "that he was the kind of guy that deserved a second chance."
"I know the sensitivity of the issue and we're going to do what we can to help this young man have success here," Saban said.
A University of Georgia police department report said Taylor punched and choked his girlfriend. Taylor also was among four Georgia football players arrested in March 2014 for receiving double payments for checks of $71.50 issued by the school's athletic department.
University of Alabama spokeswoman Deborah Lane said at the time of his enrollment that Taylor was admitted "following the same procedures that the UA Admissions office uses to evaluate any student who has dealt with legal issues."
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