Richard Sherman released from jail after court hearing; charges pending for four misdemeanors
NFL free-agent cornerback Richard Sherman was ordered to be released from jail following his arrest on a burglary domestic violence charge early Wednesday morning.
Sherman waived his right to appear at an initial court appearance on Thursday and was represented by his attorney, Cooper Offenbecher.
He was ordered to surrender any firearms, prohibited from using any non-prescribed drugs or consuming alcohol, and ordered to stay away from his father-in-law.
Sherman will have to return to court Friday morning for a hearing on four pending charges: misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes of second degree criminal trespass and third degree malicious mischief (with domestic violence designations), DUI, and resisting arrest. The felony burglary domestic violence charge was dismissed.
"I see Mr. Sherman is a pillar in this community, he's a business owner, he's a husband, he's a father," judge Fa’amomoi Masaniai said.
Authorities in King County, Washington say that Sherman crashed his vehicle in a Seattle suburb early Wednesday morning, abandoned the vehicle and ended up at his in-laws residence trying to break-in.
Sherman’s father-in-law, Raymond Moss, then armed himself with a handgun once Sherman arrived at the home and employed pepper-sprayed at him, according to a police statement obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
“The family began to yell in fear,” Moss told police. “I used pepper spray on Sherman’s face through the partially opened door as he was still banging and attempting to gain entry. I told him to stop. I armed myself with my handgun at this time fearing for the safety of myself and my family.”
Sherman then fought with officers sent to investigate, who used a police dog to apprehend him.
The 33-year-old Sherman suffered a lower leg laceration from the police dog used in his arrest, was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injures and subsequently booked into jail at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle on suspicion of resisting arrest, malicious mischief and residential burglary.
An officer also received minor injuries during Sherman's arrest.
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Redmond Police Department Chief Darrell Lowe laid out the incident during a Wednesday press conference.
The felony domestic violence charge is due to who lives at the residence and the malicious mischief is because of damage allegedly caused to the front door of the home.
The Washington State Patrol is also investigating Sherman as part of a separate incident in which he is alleged to have struck a cement barrier before arriving at the residence, police said in the statement. Troopers obtained a warrant for a blood draw after observing signs of possible impairment, police told USA TODAY Sports.
The NFL said in a statement that it “investigates any incident involving law enforcement" and if Sherman plays again, he could be in violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
Prosecutors in King County and the sheriff obtained an “extreme risk protection order” in February for Sherman. The order banned him from possessing guns after determining he posed a danger to himself or others.
Sherman played for the San Francisco 49ers the last three seasons and is an unrestricted free agent.
He spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks and the three-time All-Pro helped them win Super Bowl 48.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Richard Sherman: Judge orders NFL player to be released from jail
