The woman who called police to report an alleged family violence assault by Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard said Friday in a statement to The Associated Press that she never wanted him arrested or prosecuted, adding that he didn’t attempt to strangle her.
“Chris and I are deeply saddened that we have brought negative attention upon our family, friends, and the University of Texas, among others,” Beard’s fiancée Randi Trew said in a statement to AP. “As Chris’ fiancée and biggest supporter, I apologize for the role I played in this unfortunate event. I realize that my frustration, when breaking his glasses, initiated a physical struggle between Chris and myself.”
Beard, 49, was arrested on a third-degree felony assault charge on Dec. 12 in Austin, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Later that day, the school suspended Beard without pay. He was charged with assault by strangulation/suffocation – family violence and booked into Travis County Jail, per a statement released by the Austin Police Department.
Trew said in her statement that Beard “did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening.
“Chris has 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. We appreciate everyone’s support and prayers during this difficult time.”
A University of Texas spokesperson said the school is “reviewing the statement from Randi Trew. This matter is the subject of an internal investigation and the university does not comment on pending investigations.”
Austin police said they received a 911 call for a disturbance around 12:15 a.m. in the 1900 block of Vista Lane in Austin’s Tarrytown neighborhood.
“The caller reported the disturbance was no longer ongoing and one of the individuals had left the house,” police said. “APD officers responded and located a woman who stated she had been assaulted and strangled by Christopher Michael Beard.”
Beard’s bond was set at $10,000 during a hearing, per the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. An additional condition of the bond requires Beard to stay 200 yards away from his home and the alleged victim as the case is pending. There is also a protection order in place, meaning Beard cannot communicate in a threatening way with the alleged victim through Feb. 10, 2023.
The school suspended Beard prior to the team’s game that night versus Rice.
“The University takes matters of interpersonal violence involving members of its community seriously. Given the information available, The University has suspended Chris Beard from his position as head coach of Men’s Basketball and will withhold his pay until further notice. Associate Head Coach Rodney Terry will serve as acting head coach for tonight’s game against Rice.”
Beard is in his second season with the Longhorns after taking over the program in April 2021. The team is currently No. 7 in the AP Top 25 poll.
Prior to taking the job in Austin, Beard coached five seasons at Texas Tech.
(Photo: Michael C. Johnson/USA Today Sports)
