Some charges against former safety Elam dismissed in Fla.
Top 2013 pick still faces drug charges; training camp to open July 27
Grand-theft and domestic-battery charges against Matt Elam were dismissed Wednesday, clearing the former Ravens safety who was arrested after an altercation with his girlfriend May 22 in South Florida.
Elam, who is an NFLfree agent after his rookie contract expired with the Ravens following the 2016 season, still is facing drug charges related to his arrest in Miami in late February. That was the first of two arrests within a three-month span for the Ravens’ 2013 first-round draft pick.
According to court records, the state attorney’s office dropped the charges from May because “insufficient evidence exists to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt due to an incooperative victim and lack of independent evidence.”
According to the police report from May, Elam and his girlfriend were involved in an altercation over a cellphone. They both ended up on the ground trying to gain possession of the phone, and Elam’s girlfriend suffered small cuts on her finger and foot during the altercation.
After Elam got the phone and left the area on foot, the Delray Beach Police were called about an assault. Elam was questioned and arrested at a nearby residence.
Along with the charges being dropped, a no-contact order between Elam and his girlfriend also was rescinded.
Elam, 25, still faces charges of marijuana possession of more than 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, and reckless driving stemming from his arrest in late February. He’s scheduled for a pretrial hearing Monday.
Perhaps Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome’s biggest draft miss, Elam played 41 games for the Ravens in parts of four seasons, starting 26. He played in just nine games and was on the field for just 53 defensive snaps last year. Training camp schedule finalized: The Ravens announced the schedule for their 2017 training camp, which opens July 27. Veterans will report July 26, and the first full-squad practice will take place a day later.
Just three of the practices are open to the public because of construction at the team’s practice facility in Owings Mills.
The first open practice is at 6 p.m. July 30, at M&T Bank Stadium. The night coincides with the organization’s fourth annual Fireworks Night, which includes fireworks and a laser show and postpractice autographs for children.
The second open session is at 6 p.m. Aug. 5, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, and has been billed as Military Appreciation Day. There will be 3,500 seats reserved for active service members and veterans, and immediate family members are invited to attend. All other seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who produce a valid military identification will received a special-edition, militarythemed Ravens gift.
The third practice is at 10 a.m. Aug. 12, at M&T Bank Stadium. There will be activities for younger fans, giveaways, cheerleader and mascot meet-and-greets and a limited post-practice autograph session. All three practices are free.