A judge has ordered Richard Sherman to be released without bail. Sherman was arrested on suspicion of trying to break into his in-laws’ home northeast of Seattle.
King County District Court Judge Fa’amomoi Masaniai found probable cause that Sherman committed four offenses: misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass in the second degree, malicious mischief in the third degree (both carrying domestic violence designations) and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and driving under the influence.
Masaniai declined to set $10,000 bail as prosecutors requested. Instead, the judge called Sherman, who did not attend the hearing, a “pillar of the community” and noted that he would be released because it was his first arrest.
The cornerback’s release comes with conditions set by the Judge. Sherman has to return to court when requested, cannot use drugs or alcohol, cannot possess firearms and has a contact order with his father-in-law but not his wife.
The free agent was arrested early Wednesday after police said that he crashed his car in a construction zone along a busy highway east of Seattle and then tried to break into his in-laws’ home in the suburb of Redmond, Washington.
Sherman’s father-in-law, Raymond Moss, told officers that he armed himself with a handgun and fired pepper spray at Sherman as he tried to bust in the door with his shoulder.
“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.”
Police said that the cornerback displayed “severe mood swings and slurred speech, had bloodshot, watery eyes, and had the odor of intoxicants emitting from his person.” Sherman told police at the scene that he was upset over his children being taken from him.
Police were cautious in arresting the cornerback because of his strength and size. The cornerback was uncooperative when authorities issued commands for him to kneel as he was under arrest. Officers could not use a Taser because they worried about igniting whatever chemical Moss sprayed at the cornerback, and they were unable to fire a beanbag round because they were too close to him. Police had to use a K-9 unit to subdue and apprehend him.
Once he was in custody, Sherman became very polite and cooperative with officers.
Ashley Sherman, the cornerback’s wife, told police that the NFL player was on antidepressants and receiving mental health counseling.
