Funviralpark Beard was suspended without pay indefinitely after being arrested on Dec. 12 for felony strangulation of his fiancée Randy Trieu, who lives with him.
In a statement sent to the Associated Press by attorney Randy Leavitt, Trieu said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and that Beard was acting in self-defense against her.
“Chris and I are deeply saddened by the negative attention given to our family, friends, the University of Texas and others. As Chris’ fiancée and greatest supporter, I am sorry for the inconvenience this unfortunate event has caused. I apologize for the role, my frustration when I broke his glasses caused a physical fight between Chris and myself,” Trieu said in a statement.
“Chris didn’t choke me. I told law enforcement that night. Chris said he was acting in self-defense, and I don’t deny that.” It was never my intention to arrest or prosecute him.I ask for your support and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you,” she said.
Leavitt confirmed that Trew, whose name was redacted by police from the accusation documents, agreed to be named publicly. He declined further comment.
In a statement, the university said:
Beard’s attorney, Perry Minton, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to a police affidavit supporting Beard’s arrest, Trieu initially made an emergency call from his home and told officers who responded to strangle her from behind until Beard could not breathe for a few seconds, and when the altercation changed. said he bit her… physically. The affidavit listed several visible signs of the altercation, including bite marks on her arm and abrasions on her face and legs.
According to an affidavit, Trieu initially told police, “He choked me, bit me, bruised me all over my leg, threw me around and drove me insane.”
According to another Austin police incident report, Beard told police that Trew punched him and grabbed her wrist to try and stop him. When asked, he said, “I think she was trying to punch me in the pubic area.”
Trieu’s statement on Friday did not address some of the details contained in the initial police report. For example, bite marks and how Beard tells a police officer that he slammed his glasses through his face. However, since Beard was charged with strangulation/asphyxiation assault by family violence, her denial that he strangled her is a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison if convicted. is.
A spokeswoman for the Travis County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Beard is in his second season on a seven-year warranty deal that pays him more than $5 million a year. Prior to that, Red’s record in his five seasons with the Raiders saw him go 112-55. He was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year in his 2019 and led Texas Tech to a 31-7 finish he lost to Virginia in overtime in the National Championship game.
Texas is 3-0 since Beard’s suspension. The Longhorns will play against Texas A&M Commerce on December 27 and the Big 12 on December 31 in Oklahoma.
