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Court clears Falcons CB Owens after family violence hearing

The case against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Chris Owens, who allegedly ransacked his ex-girlfriend's apartment, was dismissed after a family violence hearing in Superior Court of Gwinnett County (Ga.) on Wednesday, the player's attorney told the *Atlanta Journal-Constitution*.

Owens, 24, and Latia Terry, 22, have a 9-month-old child together. According to a police report filed after the June 12 incident, a suspect smashed holes in walls and a giant-screen television, threw lamps and broke the baby's crib. The report stated that the master closet was "piled full of clothes, purses and jewelry. The suspect poured bleach all over the items, leaving discoloration on them and the carpet."

Owens said Terry -- who obtained a restraining order against Owens, according to TMZ.com, which also reported the story initially -- was unhappy with their relationship and sought "revenge."

Owens' attorney, Randall M. Kessler, said, "He’s is pleased that she decided to dismiss the case. He looks forward to working with her to raise their son together."

The 5-foot-9, 179-pound Owens, who started three games during the 2010 season for the NFC South champions, was a third-round pick out of San Jose State in the 2009 NFL Draft.

He was selected the Falcons' Man of the Year in 2010 for his community work and was nominated for the league-wide Walter Payton Award.