Dalvin Cook Trial Concludes With Not Guilty Verdict, Suspension Lifted

Dalvin Cook was found not guilty of misdemeanor battery in an incident where he was accused of punching a woman multiple times outside a bar.

The Florida State University (FSU) football program also lifted its indefinite suspension of Cook, who is likely to be the Seminoles starting running back.

Cook's attorney had filed motions for a speedy trial and an earlier court date to try and settle the matter before the Seminoles' regular season started. The seven jurors hearing the case deliberated for 20 minutes before finding Cook not guilty of misdemeanor battery, The Associated Press reported.

The woman who accused Cook of hitting her said some other FSU football players were harassing her and a friend, trying to get their phone numbers outside a bar on June 23. She has stated previously that Cook intervened to deescalate the situation, but wound up punching her multiple times.

"I'm just thankful and blessed the truth came out," Cook told reporters after the trial, according to ESPN. "I knew what I was doing that night, and I was making peace."

The alleged victim's attorney, Pat McDonough, said in a statement that the verdict was bad for women who become victims in similar incidents.

"This is a sad day for victims," McDonough said in the statement. "However, she sincerely appreciates the hard work of the state attorney's office and Sarah Dugan."

Dugan, the prosecutor in the case, brought the alleged victim's hometown into consideration, arguing that the Tallahassee native has no ulterior motive to incriminate an FSU football player.

Cook was accused of misdemeanor battery the night after his former teammate, De'Andre Johnson caught on surveillance camera punching a woman in the face at another local bar. Johnson was also suspended indefinitely, but was dismissed after the video became public.

The two incidents led to FSU head football coach Jimbo Fisher banning his players from going to any bar. Fisher also scheduled speakers to visit Tallahassee and counsel his team on appropriate behavior for people in their situation.