NFL cornerback Richard Sherman was released from jail without bail Thursday in Washington and a judge agreed to prosecutors reducing his pending felony charge of domestic violence residential burglary, leaving him to face four misdemeanors, according to multiple reports.
Sherman, a free agent who built a Hall of Fame-caliber resume over 10 seasons with the Seahawks and 49ers, waived his right to appear in the media-packed courtroom. He is scheduled to return to court Friday morning as a result of his arrest Wednesday that led to four formalized charges: Criminal trespassing with a domestic violence designation, domestic, malicious mischief, driving under the influence, and resisting arrest.
The malicious mischief charge pertains to damage caused to a door while trying to force entry into his in-laws’ home shortly before 2 a.m. Sherman’s father-in-law was armed with a gun and used pepper spray on the 33-year-old five-time Pro Bowler through a partially open door to protect his fearful family from the hostile break-in, according to the Associated Press, citing a police report.
Sherman, who was having suicidal thoughts according to his wife’s statements to 911, is prohibited from contacting his father-in-law (but not his own wife), can’t possess guns, can’t use drugs or alcohol, and must return to court when requested under the judge’s conditions for release. Prosecutors requested $10,000 bail. Sherman’s career NFL earnings top $78 million, according to overthecap.com.
Fox Sports Radio legal analyst Amy Dash wrote on Twitter that it “would be rare for him to see any jail time out of this. This will be probation with conditions, community service and a [treatment] program.”
“We’re investigating the circumstances related to these allegations,” Sherman’s attorney, Cooper Offenbecher, told reporters at the courthouse.
The King County Sheriff’s Office obtained an “extreme risk protection order” for Sherman, which barred him from possessing guns after a judge ruled he was a threat to himself or others in February, per the AP.
“Obviously not the news you want to hear, surprised certainly,” 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters Thursday in advance of his own Hall of Fame induction. “Obviously reached out to the family – to Richard, to [his wife] Ashley – just let them know that we want to be a resource for them. We do for all our players, both current and former. More than anything, just praying for them. They’re good people, and just praying that they find their way through this, and we’ll support them any way we can.”
Sherman spent Wednesday night in jail. Washington law stipulates individuals suspected of domestic violence are ineligible for bail until they appear in front of a judge. In this case, police said the domestic violence component was because of the relation to his wife’s parents and “not due to him physically assaulting a significant other,” which could be a big distinction in regards to NFL-issued punishment if his career continues.
Audio of a 911 call released by police plus statements made by the Redmond police and Washington State Patrol paint a picture of Sherman’s spiral that prompted three different emergency response calls late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.
Sherman’s wife told a 911 operator that no weapons were involved, but Sherman “was being aggressive” with her uncle after drinking “two bottles” of hard alcohol. He was “threatening to kill himself” in messages with friends, she said. Sherman allegedly drives off against his wife’s pleas and attempts to stop him, and she asks that police “please don’t shoot” if they find him.
Sherman’s vehicle was spotted after 1 a.m. hitting a concrete barrier in a construction zone, prompting a worker to call 911, police said. The car drove off and was later found abandoned on the side of the road with significant driver’s side damage and rendered inoperable, per police.
Sherman fled the scene on foot and tried to break into his in-laws’ home, prompting a call to police. When authorities arrived before he could gain entry, an “amicable” 10-minute conversation turned combative and the K-9 unit was deployed to subdue Sherman, who sustained lacerations on his leg and was hospitalized before he was booked at about 6 a.m., police said.
Police said they observed signs of impairment and obtained a search warrant to draw blood from Sherman. The results are pending.