TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The woman who said former Alabama football player Jonathan Taylor assaulted her now said she made it up because she thought he was cheating on her, according to court documents
A deposition released Thursday by Tuscaloosa County District Court indicated the 24-year-old woman, identified as Gina Marie Nawab, said the bruises on her neck were self-inflicted and damage to a door in her apartment was already there.
She was charged with False Reporting to Law Enforcement.
"She made it up to get back at him for cheating on her in December and she thought he was cheating again," the deposition said.
University spokeswoman Deborah Lane said Thursday in a statement Taylor is no longer a student and "is not eligible for re-admission."
Alabama coach Nick Saban dismissed Taylor from the team Sunday. Tuscaloosa Police Lt. Kip Hart said Wednesday the charges against Taylor will be reviewed after the woman said in interviews with police over two days she made up the story and he didn't hurt her.
Attorney Kim Stephens, who's representing Taylor in a pending Georgia domestic violence case, said his client has maintained all along he didn't assault Nawab.
"I know he's upset and I know that he's been adamant that he didn't do anything as far as touching her improperly or hitting her or choking her," Stephens said. "Nothing criminal in nature.
"He's happy that she recanted but unfortunately it put the university in an untenable position where they had to take action and there was only one action they could take."
He is scheduled for arraignment next Tuesday in Athens on charges of aggravated assault, battery and simple battery from an incident that led to his July dismissal from Georgia. The 6-foot-4, 335-pound Taylor allegedly punched and kicked his girlfriend at the time.
Stephens said he will enter a not guilty plea. He said he worries publicity in any case can influence jurors, "especially when there are allegations of domestic violence, because there's a natural tendency to think just because allegations are made, they must be true."
Similar allegations from another woman, even if they're later recanted, "makes for a much more difficult case," he said.
Saban, who defended giving Taylor another chance amid criticism with the decision, said Taylor had been undergoing counseling at Alabama but was signed under a zero-tolerance policy.