Greg Hardy's trial remains scheduled, but subject to change

The Mecklenberg County (N.C.) District Attorney's Office says the jury trial of banished Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy on a domestic violence charge remains on the docket for the week of Nov. 17, though that is subject to change.

"It has not been postponed," Meghan Cooke, the office's community liaison coordinator, wrote in an e-mail to USA TODAY Sports on Friday morning.

"As with all trial weeks here in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, there are more cases set than can be tried during the week, so a case's place on the trial calendar does not guarantee that the case will be reached during that particular week."

A person with knowledge of the case on Thursday night, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly, confirmed a ProFootballTalk.com report that the state had postponed Hardy's case until a date to be determined after the season.

However, both the D.A.'s office and the Mecklenberg County Clerk's Office said Friday that Hardy's trial remains on the docket for Nov. 17. The difference could be semantics if the D.A. and Hardy's attorneys have been informed the date will be rescheduled.

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Asked in a follow-up email about the discrepancy, Cooke wrote: "As this case remains a pending matter, prosecutors are prohibited by ethical obligations from discussing any details of the case. At this time, the DA's Office cannot offer any further comment."

The attorney of record for Hardy, Chris Fialko, did not return a message Thursday night.

Any postponement would cast further doubt on the future of Hardy, who agreed to be placed on the exempt list Sept. 17 amid widespread pressure on NFL teams to take alleged abusers off the field.

General manager Dave Gettleman said at the time that the move was related to ongoing court proceedings. Hardy had been convicted by a district judge in July on two counts of domestic assault and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend during an altercation in May.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said there will be no change on Hardy's status with the Panthers or the league until the legal case is resolved.

"The agreement with the union regarding Greg Hardy's status states that he agreed to be placed on the commissioner-exempt list with full pay until the criminal charges pending against him are adjudicated, and that no discipline will be imposed against him by the team or league until the charges are adjudicated," Aiello wrote in an e-mail.

Hardy had appealed that decision and was awaiting a jury trial. He signed his one-year, $13.116 million franchise tender this offseason and continues to be paid $770,000 each week of the season until his contract expires at year's end.

He led the 12-4 Panthers with 15 sacks last season.