Texas coach Beard’s fiancée says he didn’t strangle her

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The lady who known as police to report a household violence assault by Texas basketball coach Chris Beard stated Friday that Beard didn’t strangle her and he or she by no means wished him arrested or prosecuted. 

Beard was suspended indefinitely with out pay after his Dec. 12 arrest on a felony cost of strangling his fiancée, Randi Trew, who lives with him.

In a press release despatched to The Related Press by her legal professional, Randy Leavitt, Trew stated she is “deeply saddened” by the incident and stated Beard was performing in self-defense from her.

“Chris and I are deeply saddened that we now have introduced adverse consideration upon our household, mates, and the College of Texas, amongst others. As Chris’ fiancée and largest supporter, I apologize for the function I performed on this unlucky occasion. I notice that my frustration, when breaking his glasses, initiated a bodily wrestle between Chris and myself,” Trew stated within the assertion.

“Chris didn’t strangle me, and I instructed that to regulation enforcement that night. Chris has acknowledged that he was performing in self-defense, and I don’t refute that. I don’t imagine Chris was making an attempt to deliberately hurt me in any approach. It was by no means my intent to have him arrested or prosecuted. We recognize everybody’s help and prayers throughout this troublesome time,” she stated.

Leavitt confirmed that Trew, whose identify was redacted by police from charging paperwork, agreed to be named publicly. He declined additional remark.

In a press release, the college stated: “We’re reviewing the assertion from Randi Trew. This matter is the topic of an inside investigation and the college doesn’t touch upon pending investigations.”

Beard’s legal professional, Perry Minton, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

In keeping with the police affidavit in help of Beard’s arrest, Trew initially positioned an emergency name from the home and instructed responding officers Beard had strangled her from behind to the purpose the place she could not breathe for a number of seconds, and bit her when an argument turned bodily. The affidavit listed a number of seen indicators of an altercation, together with chunk marks on her arm and abrasions on her face and leg.

In keeping with the affidavit, Trew initally instructed police “he choked me, bit me, bruises throughout my leg, throwing me round and going nuts.”

A separate Austin police incident report notes that Beard instructed police Trew had struck at him and that he had tried to seize her wrists to cease her. When requested if any punches had been landed, Beard instructed police, “I feel she was making an attempt to hit my personal components,” in keeping with the incident report.

Beard is in his second season of a seven-year assured contract that pays him greater than $5 million per 12 months. Earlier than that, he was 112-55 in 5 seasons with the Crimson Raiders. He was named The Related Press coach of the 12 months in 2019, when he guided Texas Tech to a 31-7 end and misplaced in an additional time thriller to Virginia within the nationwide championship recreation.

Texas is 3-0 since Beard was suspended. The Longhorns play Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 27 earlier than beginning Large 12 play at Oklahoma on Dec. 31.