Domestic Violence Case Dropped Against Longhorns Basketball Coach Beard

The fiancée of former Longhorns head basketball coach Chris Beard has declined to press domestic violence charges, and the prosecutor in the case has now moved to dismiss the case. 

According to ESPN, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said that after a review of the evidence, and considering the wishes of Randi Trew, Beard's fiancée, his office determined the charge of assault by strangulation/suffocation-family violence could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Beard was arrested Dec. 12 after Trew told police he choked her from behind, bit her and hit her when the two got in an argument. Eleven days later, Trew released a statement in which she denied telling police Beard choked her.

"Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening," Trew said in her statement, as reported by ESPN. "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."

In the wake of the dismissal, Beard's attorney maintained his client was innocent of all charges. 

"Everyone knows that Coach Beard has maintained his absolute innocence since the moment he was arrested,'' said Perry Minton, Beard's attorney. "Additionally, this district attorney has a well-earned reputation for being very tough regarding domestic violence cases. The fact that Mr. Garza's review resulted in this determination so quickly says a lot. We are very pleased.''

Texas suspended Beard without pay the day he was arrested. He was later fired on Jan. 5 when Texas officials told Beard's attorney he was "unfit" to lead the Longhorns' program. 

Beard had five years left on a seven-year guaranteed contract that included a provision saying he could be fired for cause if he was charged with a felony or committed other behavior unbecoming of his position or that reflected poorly on the university.