Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush was found not guilty on Tuesday of assault and harassment charges linked to an incident earlier this year.
An Allegheny County Common Pleas Court judge ruled that prosecutors failed to prove Bush intended to harm or injure his girlfriend during the May incident. The case followed Bush through much of the 2025 NFL season after his offseason arrest in a Pittsburgh suburb.
The ruling closes the criminal case, although the NFL continues to review the matter under its personal conduct policy.
Devin Bush found not guilty
Bush’s attorney, Robert Del Greco Jr., said the verdict centred on intent rather than the existence of a confrontation.
“The testimony elicited at trial indicated that the putative victim of the domestic violence was electronically and surreptitiously intercepting the oral communications of Devin Bush,” Del Greco said.
“When Mr. Bush learned of this interception, he voiced his objection, but the interception continued.”
Del Greco said Bush acted to stop the recording, not to cause harm.
“Mr. Bush removed and broke the phone that was the mechanism of the electronic interception,” he said.
Judge Bruce Beemer agreed with that interpretation. He ruled that Bush’s actions did not meet the legal standard for assault.
“Because all parties agreed that the intent of Mr. Bush was to remove the phone and not to cause harm, the requisite element of intent was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt,” Del Greco said.
Allegations against Devin Bush
Police responded after Bush’s girlfriend reported an argument at the home. According to the complaint, the disagreement escalated after she began recording on her phone.
She alleged Bush chased her through the house to retrieve the device. The complaint said he pinned her against a massage table and placed his body weight on her before taking the phone and smashing it.
She then left the home with her daughter and went to a neighbour’s house.
Officers later reported cuts on her wrist and foot, along with broken pieces of the phone. Bush admitted to smashing the device but denied any physical assault.
Judge Beemer ruled the evidence did not establish criminal intent.
NFL review still ongoing
The NFL has monitored the case under its personal conduct policy. A league spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment following Tuesday’s verdict.
The league has not announced whether it will take disciplinary action. That process remains separate from the criminal outcome.
While the case played out, Bush continued to play a major role for the Browns. He ranks second on the team this season with 93 combined tackles.
Bush has added two sacks and two interceptions across 14 games. He has started 10 times and logged heavy defensive snaps on a unit that has relied on his availability.
Cleveland signed Bush to a one-year deal in March. The contract followed a season with the team in 2024 and a brief stint with Seattle.
