Randi Trew, the fiancee of Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard, has retracted some of the accusations against him stemming from an alleged domestic dispute that occurred on December 12 at the couple’s home.
The initial police report stated that Beard had allegedly strangled Trew, and she had called the police because she “did not feel safe.”
However, Trew released a statement on Friday claiming Beard did not strangle her.
“Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening,” the statement read. “Chris stated that he was acting in self-defense, and I do not refute that. I do not believe Chris was trying to intentionally harm me in any way. It was never my intent to have him arrested or prosecuted.”
Beard’s lawyer, Perry Q. Minton, has maintained his client’s innocence since taking on the case, and Trew’s latest statement aligns with what he has been saying.
“Coach Beard is 100 percent innocent of these charges,” he said to CBS Austin earlier this month. “He should have never been arrested. The complainant wants him released immediately and all charges dismissed. It is truly inconceivable.”
The university acknowledged the new developments with a statement, “We are reviewing the statement from Randi Trew. This matter is the subject of an internal investigation and the university does not comment on pending investigations.”
Police were called to the residence as an argument between Beard and Trew had turned physical, according to the December 12 arrest report.
After she had broken his reading glasses, Trew allegedly told police that Beard “choked me, threw me off the bed, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around, and going nuts,” parts of which she now refutes.
No further explanation has been provided for her injuries, described in detail in the arrest report as difficulty breathing due to strangulation, a “bite mark” to the right arm, and other cuts and bruises.
Beard was arrested on the scene and booked in Travis County jail on charges of third-degree assault on a family or household member/impeding breath circulation. He later posted bail and was released.
There is currently an emergency protective order in place until February 10, 2023, that mandates that Beard cannot come within 200 yards of Trew or his home.
Even if Trew requests the charges be dropped, Beard can still be prosecuted because it is a domestic violence case. If guilty, Beard could face two to 10 years in prison.
University officials said they have no changes to Beard’s current indefinite and unpaid suspension. Texas has gone 3-0 with associate head coach Rodney Terry in charge in the interim.
The Longhorns will face Texas A&M-Commerce on Tuesday before opening Big 12 play on New Year’s Eve at Oklahoma.
