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 New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was charged with one count of indecent assault and battery Tuesday (November 1), after being arraigned following an incident at a Halloween party at a Boston bar.
According to reports, Boston police were called to local nightspot in Boston early Tuesday morning, after a woman and male friend claimed the 25-year-old NFL player groped her inside the party.
A witness with the woman said he observed the NFL player bump into her and then saw her face "change into an expression of shock."
The woman and the witness told police they approached nightclub staff and asked to have Edelman thrown out. Instead, they were both ejected. When police spoke to the nightclub's manager, they said the witness was threatening to beat up Edelman on the dance floor.
Edelman was arrested outside the club, where he denied to police that he groped the woman.
When arraigned on Tuesday, Edelman did not say anything, nor did he address reporters outside the courtroom. He entered a not guilty plea, was released without bail and ordered to stay away from the Back Bay bar Storyville and to have no contact with the alleged victim or witnesses.
He is is scheduled to return to court January 10.
Adelman's agent, Don Yee, released a statement to ESPN, proclaiming his client's innocence.
"The charges will be fought vigorously within the court system, instead of a rush to judgment elsewhere," he said. "We have no further comment beyond that."
The NFL player is in his third season with the Patriots. This season he's racked up just three receptions for 25 yards in a backup role. His primary contributions come as the team's kickoff and punt returner.
Edelman injured his ankle earlier this month against the Oakland Raiders and has not played since.
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