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SEATTLE (AP) – Former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers star Richard Sherman said on Friday he was “deeply remorseful” after his arrest for crashing his intoxicated SUV in a construction zone and attempted to break into the suburb of his in-laws Seattle home this week.
Sherman tweeted a statement before appearing in court and pleading not guilty to impaired driving, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and other charges.
“I behaved in a way that I’m not proud of,” Sherman said. “I have faced personal challenges over the past few months, but that is no excuse for the way I have acted. The importance of mental and emotional health is extremely real and I am committed to it. to get the help I need. “
Sherman, who was released from prison Thursday, was brought to justice on five counts, including reckless endangerment of road workers and malicious mischief. These are all misdemeanors, punishable by up to 90 days in prison, or serious misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year.
Sherman was belligerent, had been drinking heavily and opened up about committing suicide when he left his home in the Seattle suburb of Maple Valley on Tuesday night, according to police reports. His wife, Ashley Sherman, called 911 to try to get the police to stop.
Police said he crashed his car in a construction area early Wednesday along a busy freeway east of Seattle, then attempted to break into his in-laws’ home in the city. suburb of Redmond. Workers said the driver entered the closed construction area at a speed of 97 to 113 km / h (60 to 70 mph) and accelerated after being confronted, shooting sparks from a wheel, then abandoned the broken down vehicle nearby.
VIDEO SHOWS RICHARD SHERMAN TRYING TO FORCE ENTRY INTO BEAUTIFUL’S HOUSE
Sherman’s stepfather Raymond Moss told officers he armed himself with a handgun and fired pepper spray at the NFL cornerback to protect his family as Sherman tried to smash the door to Moss’s house with his shoulder.
Another of Moss’s daughters begged a 911 operator for officers to arrive quickly and told her children to hide in a bathroom behind a shower curtain, according to the audio of the call released Thursday.
“The family started screaming in fear,” Raymond Moss told police. “I used pepper spray on Sherman’s face through the partially open door as he still knocked and tried to enter. I told him to stop. I cocked my handgun in it. moment, fearing for my safety and that of my family. “
Officers were cautious before arresting Sherman because of his size, strength and aggressiveness, according to police reports. After trying to defuse the situation, they decided to use less lethal force after warning Sherman that they would if he didn’t follow their orders.
They couldn’t use a Taser because they were afraid of igniting the chemical that Sherman’s stepfather had sprayed him with and couldn’t shoot a beanbag because they were too close to him. Instead, they released a police dog, which bit his ankle and caused a minor cut, as other officers struggled with him on the ground, according to reports.
In February, King County prosecutors and the sheriff obtained an “extreme risk protection order” for Sherman, which banned him from having firearms after a judge determined he was a danger. for himself or for others. Details of the case were sealed and it was not immediately clear whether any weapons had been seized from him.
Ashley Sherman told police her husband was taking antidepressants and receiving mental health counseling.
The arrest was Sherman’s first known involvement with the criminal justice system. In his statement, he thanked community members and his family for their support.
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In a hearing Thursday, Sherman’s attorney, Cooper Offenbecher, did not dispute the existence of a probable cause for the arrest. But he said Sherman should be released without bail and noted his good work in the community, including founding the Blanket Coverage Foundation, a charity that provides low-income students with school supplies and clothing.
Sherman, 33, became a Seattle sports legend for seven seasons with the Seahawks. The cornerback was a star in their race to a 2014 Super Bowl victory, making a saving play to deflect a pass in the NFC Championship game against the 49ers.
He left the Seahawks after the 2017 season and played three seasons with San Francisco. He is now a free agent.
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