Former girlfriend of Panthers' Hardy subpoenaed to testify at July 15 trial

Nicole Holder, the former girlfriend of Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, has been issued a subpoena to appear in court to testify against Hardy, Joseph Person and Michael Gordon of the Charlotte Observer report.

The 24-year-old Holder alleges that Hardy threw her to the floor and into a bathtub, slammed her against a futon, and strangled her during an argument at his condo. The argument was reportedly sparked by Holder's short-lived relationship with rapper Nelly.

Hardy, who faces two misdemeanor charges, was scheduled to appear in court Friday, but the trial has since been moved to July 15. If convicted, he could face up to 60 days in jail.

Asked whether she expects Holder to testify, assistant district attorney Jamie Adams said, "I would hope so."

If Holder does not appear in court, George Laughrun, a veteran Charlotte defense attorney, believes the case will become even more difficult for prosecutors.

"It attacks her credibility," Laughrun told the Observer. "'She got assaulted? She was afraid? She got thrown on a sofa with 25 guns? Well judge, if that all happened, where is she? Where's the evidence?'"

At a bond hearing in May, Hardy's attorney Chris Fialko told the judge it was Holder who attacked his client.

Hardy has yet to comment on the case, and the Panthers have said they plan to wait until the legal process has taken its course before deciding whether to discipline Hardy.