The Greg Hardy case is one that I find puzzling as well as dismaying with the legal system. It appears that the state where the alleged assault took place doesn't prosecute if the defendent refuses to testify. I recall the domestic abuse charges filed on Warren Moon when he was in Houston was taken to court even though his former wife did not file charges against him. He was then acquitted in court, but had his day in court.
If Hardy's former girlfriend opted for a cash settlement instead of filing charges, then it appears that money trumps injury. Isn't it possible the charges could stick, then a civil case could follow? At least that way he would be held accountable in court for the assault and battery (criminal) and assault and battery (civil). If the court system would have been used, then it wouldn't be left to the NFL or any franchise in particular to decide on the merits of Hardy's employment present or future.
I do know that the contract is incentive based and there is a big challenge to Hardy if he is a repentive person and will do what every necessary overcome his bad reputation, after all it is possible. However, I don't believe for a moment that the Cowboys organization isn't keeping close tabs on what's going on in his public and private life and they will have no problem with releasing him (Quincy Carter, Adam Jones, Joseph Randle).
Where was the source of the released photos? If court related, why wasn't this enough evidence to take to court? Did NFL see photos? If not, how were they available to Deadspin, but not the NFL? If NFL did see them, why was he initally suspended for only 10 games? Are the 10 games all that NFL could do regardless of the severity because of the Players association? I think anything done now is reactive to a botched investigation in the first place. If this situation doesn't turn his life a 180, we will know soon enough, and we can probably get someone just as good with this excellent draft pick we seem destined to get.