District Attorney Drops Domestic Violence Case Against Former UT Coach Chris Beard

Austin, Texas (AP) — A Texas prosecutor on Wednesday decided to drop a domestic violence case against former Texas basketball coach Chris Byrd, in part because of the alleged victim’s desire not to prosecute.

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said that after reviewing the evidence and with the wishes of Randy Trew, Beard’s fiancée, his office determined that the charge of assault by strangulation/suffocation – domestic violence could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Byrd was arrested on December 12 after True called 911 and told officers that Byrd had strangled, bitten and hit her during an altercation at his home. She later said that Beard acted in self-defense and that she never wanted to be followed. Beard’s lawyer said the coach is innocent.

The Associated Press does not usually identify alleged victims of sexual or domestic violence, but on December 23, Trew issued a public statement in which she denied telling police that Beard strangled her. She also said that she never intended to arrest or prosecute him.

Texas suspended Byrd without pay on the day of his arrest. He was fired on January 5 when Texas officials told Beard’s attorney that he was “not right” to run the program.

Texas has been led by interim coach Rodney Terry since December 12. The Longhorns are in 6th place and tied for first place in the Big 12.