AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas prosecutor on Wednesday moved to dismiss a felony home violence case towards former Longhorns males’s basketball coach Chris Beard, partially due to the alleged sufferer’s needs to not prosecute.
Travis County District Legal professional Jose Garza mentioned that after a assessment of the proof, and contemplating the needs of Randi Trew, Beard’s fiancée, his workplace decided the cost of assault by strangulation/suffocation-family violence couldn’t be proved past an affordable doubt.
“I’m happy with the announcement that the costs towards me have been dismissed. Whereas I at all times had religion and confidence within the reality and this consequence, it has been extraordinarily difficult to attend patiently and never publicly reply,” Beard mentioned in a press release Thursday. “I am sorry and deeply remorseful to my household, associates, all my gamers and workers each most up-to-date and previous, and everybody at my alma mater The College of Texas, together with the followers and supporters who have been affected by this example. I’d additionally wish to thank all those that have reached out to specific encouragement and love throughout this troublesome time.”
Beard was arrested Dec. 12 after Trew referred to as 911 and advised officers Beard strangled, bit and hit her throughout a confrontation in his residence. She later mentioned Beard acted in self-defense and that she by no means wished him prosecuted.
“Everybody is aware of that Coach Beard has maintained his absolute innocence for the reason that second he was arrested,” mentioned Perry Minton, Beard’s legal professional. “Moreover, this district legal professional has a well-earned repute for being very robust relating to home violence circumstances. The truth that Mr. Garza’s assessment resulted on this willpower so shortly says quite a bit. We’re very happy.”
Garza defended his workplace’s file of pursuing home violence circumstances, noting it has secured greater than 1,000 convictions in household violence circumstances since 2021, with greater than 200 folks going to jail.
“Our workplace takes all home abuse circumstances significantly to make sure justice for the victims,” Garza mentioned. “In each case, we’re obligated to judge the information and proof and do our greatest to achieve an consequence that may hold the sufferer and our group protected.”
Based on the police affidavit in assist of Beard’s arrest, Trew initially advised officers he strangled her from behind to the purpose the place she could not breathe for a number of seconds. 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.
Based on the affidavit, Trew initally advised police “he choked me, bit me, bruises throughout my leg, throwing me round and going nuts.” Her later assertion didn’t handle why she referred to as 911 or a number of of the bodily accidents described within the police report.
Texas suspended Beard with out pay the day he was arrested. He was fired on Jan. 5 when Texas officers advised Beard’s legal professional he was “unfit” to guide this system.
A College of Texas spokesman declined remark Wednesday.
Beard had 5 years left on a seven-year assured contract that included a provision saying he might be fired for trigger if he was charged with a felony or dedicated different habits unbecoming of his place or that mirrored poorly on the college.
The college’s vice chairman of authorized affairs, Jim Davis, wrote in a letter to Beard’s legal professional on the day the coach was fired that Beard engaged in “unacceptable habits that makes him unfit to function head coach at our college.” Whether or not Beard in the end confronted prices wouldn’t decide whether or not Beard engaged in conduct unbecoming of the varsity, Davis wrote.
The Longhorns have been led by interim coach Rodney Terry since Dec. 12. They’re ranked No. 6 within the newest Related Press ballot and share first place within the Massive 12.
Info from The Related Press was used on this report.
