Ex-Seahawk Wheeler pleads not guilty to attacking girlfriend at Kent apartment

Former Seattle Seahawks reserve tackle Chad Wheeler pleaded not guilty to first-degree domestic violence assault, unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest for allegedly attacking his girlfriend at their Kent apartment.

Wheeler, 27, now a free agent, entered the pleas Monday, Feb. 1 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Kent Police arrested Wheeler Jan. 22 after the reported attack in the apartment. He was booked into the King County jail on Jan. 23 and released Jan. 26 when he posted bail, which was set at $400,000.

King County Superior Court Judge Tanya Thorp kept bail set at $400,000, which was the amount set by a judge at Wheeler’s first appearance last week, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The judge also ordered Wheeler to remain in the King County area (King, Pierce and Snohomish counties) while on electronic home detention.

At the arraignment, Wendy Ross, a criminal advocate supervisor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence unit, read a statement written by the girlfriend, who was present at the arraignment:

“As you consider Chad’s custody status, I want you to know that I believe that as long as he is out of custody, I am not safe,” according to the statement. “When Chad attacked me, he first sat on top of me, choked me, stuffed his fingers down my throat and covered my nose and mouth with his hands. I begged him to stop. When I tried to get away, he broke and dislocated my arm.

“When I came to, he strangled me again, rendering me unconscious a second time. When I awoke a second time — covered in my own blood — he said, “Wow, you’re alive.” When I locked myself in the bathroom to call the police, I could hear him speaking coolly to his father over the phone. Chad never called the police even though he thought I was dead.

“Now, Chad is out of custody staying in a hotel watching this play out on social media. This current status places my safety at risk, and I do not believe that a protective order or a condition of release is sufficient to keep me safe.

“My first request is that you hold Chad in custody in the King County jail and that he is not released. If the court will not do this, then I ask that he be required to serve his time on closely monitored (24/7) home detention at his family home in Los Angeles. I object to him serving his time in Seattle, which places me at risk. I also object to him serving his time essentially on vacation in Hawaii. He and I were supposed to be on vacation together at that location. Instead, I am here, undergoing medical treatment, handling a barrage of attention and abuse on social media, and dealing with the ramifications of this horrific attack. Permitting Chad to serve his time in Hawaii under these circumstances is not acceptable.”

Wheeler’s next court date is a case setting hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 11 in the GA courtroom of the Maleng Regional Justice Center. A trial date is set for April 6, although those dates often change when attorneys from either side can ask for more time to prepare the case.

If convicted for first-degree domestic violence assault, Wheeler, an offensive lineman, could face a sentence of seven to 10 years. A conviction of unlawful imprisonment could add another two years.

According to court documents, Wheeler reportedly attacked his girlfriend at about 9:46 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22 in their Kent apartment at the Berkeley Heights Apartments, 22804 90th Way S., that they have shared since November. Officers responded to multiple 911 calls, including one from Wheeler’s girlfriend who reported that she was being “killed.”

Officers arrived at the apartment and heard screaming from inside. Officers forced their way into the apartment and saw a pool of blood on a bed comforter adjacent to a bathroom, where they found Wheeler and the girlfriend. Her face was covered in blood and her left arm limp at her side.

Wheeler was standing behind her and said, “Sorry, I don’t beat women,” as officers tried to detain him. Wheeler, who is 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 310 pounds, battled with officers to stop them from handcuffing him, according to court documents. He fought off three officers in the bathroom and was only detained after officers used hand strikes and fired Tasers at him.

Paramedics transported the woman to Valley Medical Center in Renton. She suffered a fractured left arm and dislocated elbow. She had experienced chest pain and had difficulty breathing. She also had a swollen face.

The girlfriend locked herself in the bathroom after she regained consciousness and sent text messages to friends and family asking that they call 911, not wanting to make any voice calls herself for fear of Wheeler hearing. When she tried to flee out of the second door to the bathroom, Wheeler met her at the door. Officers then arrived and heard the woman screaming.

The girlfriend told police she believed Wheeler suffered from bi-polar disorder and had not been taking his medication.

After Wheeler’s release from jail, he posted several tweets Jan. 27 about the incident.

“Events happened over the weekend that transpired from a manic episode, Wheeler said. “I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering that I have caused to (his girlfriend) and her family.”

In his second tweet, he said:

“I apologize profusely for the turmoil that I have caused to my family, teammates, fans and those closest to me. The most important thing right now is that (his girlfriend) gets the care she needs and I get help. Both are happening.”

Wheeler tweeted he will get help.

“It is time for me to walk away from football and get the help I need to never again pose a threat to another. I cannot express my sorrow or remorse enough. I am truly ashamed.”