Bruce Miller won't face misdemeanor spousal battery charges stemming from his March arrest. Instead, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office has charged the 49ers fullback with misdemeanor vandalism.
Miller was scheduled to be arraigned on the charge Monday afternoon and could face up to a year in jail if convicted.
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Miller was initially arrested on charges of spousal battery on March 5. A week later, police released details that stated Miller shoved his fiancee out of his vehicle and onto the ground before smashing her cell phone following a dispute in a parking garage outside the Posh Bagel at Rivermark Plaza. His fiancee later denied the incident and the domestic assault accusation was ruled inconclusive.
“Even relatively minor domestic violence incidents can be the first steps on a path that ends in tragedy,” said Jim Demertzis, who supervises the District Attorney’s Family Violence Unit. “That’s why we take all domestic violence cases seriously.”
Miller has been absent from the 49ers’ voluntary offseason program due to the ongoing investigation. CSN Bay Area reported Miller and the 49ers have agreed to remain apart while the legal process nears a conclusion.
“The 49ers organization is aware of today’s developments involving Bruce Miller and will continue to monitor these legal proceedings closely,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement.
Miller, 27, was selected by the San Francisco in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft and has started 42 games in 61 appearances over the last four years. He caught 18 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns last season, playing in all 16 games and starting eight.