Charges reduced against CB Sherman
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 Famecaliber résumé over 10 seasons with the Seahawks and 49ers, waived his right to appear in the mediapacked courtroom. His second hearing is set for Friday morning as a result of his arrest Wednesday that led to four revised charges after a judge found probable cause for: Criminal trespassing with a domestic violence designation, 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 fatherin-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 reports. That was only weeks after Sherman’s season ended with the 49ers.