Assault case against former UT basketball coach Chris Beard dismissed by Travis County DA

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza dismissed the domestic violence case against former Texas Longhorns head men’s basketball coach Chris Beard.

Garza said Wednesday that, “after a careful and thorough review of the evidence, recent public statements, and considering Ms. [Randi] Trew’s wishes, our office has determined that the felony offense cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Beard was arrested by Austin Police on Dec. 12 and later charged with assault by strangulation/suffocation – family violence following an incident with Trew, his fiancée. The home where the alleged assault happened, owned by Beard, was listed for sale since late January and is still active, according to real estate listings.

He was suspended indefinitely without pay later that day by Texas Athletics as it reviewed the case, and then was fired Jan. 5. Associate head coach Rodney Terry has since taken over as interim head coach of the team.

In a statement to KXAN, Beard’s attorney Perry Minton said they are “pleased” with the DA’s decision.

“Everyone knows that Coach Beard has maintained his absolute innocence since the moment he was arrested. Today, the district attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the case in the Interest of Justice, which is not common. 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,” Minton wrote.

“Our office takes all domestic abuse cases seriously to ensure justice for the victims,” Garza said. “In every case, we are obligated to evaluate the facts and evidence and do our best to reach an outcome that will keep the victim and our community safe.”

Garza said the DA’s office has indicted or formally charged over 2,000 people with assault family violence charges since 2021.

In Beard’s contract with the university, it said specifically the university could fire Beard for cause — and not owe him anything — if felony charges were brought against him, meaning he did not have to be indicted or convicted in order for the school to sever ties. The crime he was charged with is a third-degree felony.

Nearly two weeks after Beard’s arrest, Trew released a statement through her attorney saying she believed Chris wasn’t trying to intentionally hurt her and that she never wanted to press charges in the first place.

“Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening. 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. It was never my intent to have him arrested or prosecuted. We appreciate everyone’s support and prayers during this difficult time,” Trew’s statement said, in part.

KXAN has reached out to UT for further comment. We will update this story once we hear back.

 

Texas head coach Chris Beard directs his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Ames,…

Texas head coach Chris Beard directs his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 79-70. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza dismissed the domestic violence case against former Texas Longhorns head men’s basketball coach Chris Beard.

Garza said Wednesday that, “after a careful and thorough review of the evidence, recent public statements, and considering Ms. [Randi] Trew’s wishes, our office has determined that the felony offense cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Beard was arrested by Austin Police on Dec. 12 and later charged with assault by strangulation/suffocation – family violence following an incident with Trew, his fiancée. The home where the alleged assault happened, owned by Beard, was listed for sale since late January and is still active, according to real estate listings.

He was suspended indefinitely without pay later that day by Texas Athletics as it reviewed the case, and then was fired Jan. 5. Associate head coach Rodney Terry has since taken over as interim head coach of the team.

In a statement to KXAN, Beard’s attorney Perry Minton said they are “pleased” with the DA’s decision.

“Everyone knows that Coach Beard has maintained his absolute innocence since the moment he was arrested. Today, the district attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the case in the Interest of Justice, which is not common. 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,” Minton wrote.

“Our office takes all domestic abuse cases seriously to ensure justice for the victims,” Garza said. “In every case, we are obligated to evaluate the facts and evidence and do our best to reach an outcome that will keep the victim and our community safe.”

Garza said the DA’s office has indicted or formally charged over 2,000 people with assault family violence charges since 2021.

In Beard’s contract with the university, it said specifically the university could fire Beard for cause — and not owe him anything — if felony charges were brought against him, meaning he did not have to be indicted or convicted in order for the school to sever ties. The crime he was charged with is a third-degree felony.

Nearly two weeks after Beard’s arrest, Trew released a statement through her attorney saying she believed Chris wasn’t trying to intentionally hurt her and that she never wanted to press charges in the first place.

“Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening. 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. It was never my intent to have him arrested or prosecuted. We appreciate everyone’s support and prayers during this difficult time,” Trew’s statement said, in part.

KXAN has reached out to UT for further comment. We will update this story once we hear back.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Best dog toy box

/ 2 hours ago

If you’re a dog parent, you’ve probably experienced an explosion of toys in your living space.


Best Kong Extreme dog toy

/ 3 hours ago

Kong toys are well known for their quality and variety. Kong’s line of Extreme toys are built to keep even the toughest chewers occupied.


Which dog carrier is best for car rides?

/ 2 hours ago

Unrestrained pets are more likely to be hurt in the event of an accident. The best ways to prevent injuries is to secure your dog in a highly-rated dog carrier.


View All BestReviews


Top Stories


TX state park to close, become private development


ACC Round Rock closed due to power outage


Silver Alert issued for New Braunfels man


How can Texas prevent abuse in senior facilities?


Ray Benson to help people cross some Austin streets


Top Stories


More Stories


TX state park to close, become private development


ACC Round Rock closed due to power outage


Silver Alert issued for New Braunfels man


How can Texas prevent abuse in senior facilities?


Ray Benson to help people cross some Austin streets


Watch live Thursday: State of the State address


Progress for Round Rock trail after years of delays


Burgled drive-in theater to host fundraiser movie …


More Stories

Austin-Travis County


How can Texas prevent abuse in senior facilities?

/ 1 hour ago


Ray Benson to help people cross some Austin streets

/ 11 mins ago


Burgled drive-in theater to host fundraiser movie …

/ 2 hours ago


Impacts of I-35 project on congestion, displacements

/ 3 hours ago


Why did council not accept the 4-year police contract?

/ 10 hours ago


Father of man shot, killed by police in Liberty Hill …

/ 10 hours ago


UT softball wins home opener 8-2 over Lamar

/ 11 hours ago


DA dismisses domestic violence case against Chris …

/ 12 hours ago


St. Edward’s to interview ‘The Last of Us’ actor

/ 16 hours ago


UT expert: Induced demand could impact I-35 expansion

/ 15 hours ago


Austin FC’s new ‘Las Voces’ primary jersey revealed

/ 17 hours ago


Union launches ‘Fair Pay’ campaign against SXSW

/ 15 hours ago


Fans born to run to Bruce Springsteen concert Thursday

/ 21 hours ago


Austin City Council votes to fire city manager

/ 14 hours ago


HEAL initiative helps relocate 60 homeless people

/ 23 hours ago


Camera captures woman’s assault, facility not cited

/ 13 hours ago


Travis County adds debris drop site

/ 1 day ago


IRS job fair this week

/ 1 day ago


Inflation law may help tree trimming in Austin

/ 1 day ago


APD searching for north Austin hit-and-run suspect

/ 1 day ago

KXAN Austin Video

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–is-stacked article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="8396160" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list5" data-anvato-params=""ns":"id":"8396160","title":"Construction on Round Rock trail to resume after 2-year hiatus ,"mcp":"LIN","width":"100%","height":"100%","video":"8396160","autoplay":false,"expect_preroll":true,"pInstance":"p46","plugins":"comscore":"clientId":"6036439","c3":"kxan.com","version":"5.2.0","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"c3":"kxan.com","ns_st_st":"kxan","ns_st_pu":"Nexstar","ns_st_ge":"News,Local,Austin,Video,Local News,Video","cs_ucfr":"","dfp":"adTagUrl":"https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=1×1000&iu=/5678/lin.kxan/news/local/austin&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vmap&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&description_url=https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/assault-case-against-former-ut-basketball-coach-chris-beard-dismissed-by-travis-county-da/&cust_params=vid%3D8396160%26cmsid%3D1653005%26pid%3D1653005%26pers_cid%3Dnxs-40-article-1653005%26vidcat%3D/news/local/austin%26bob_ck%3D[bob_ck_val]%26d_code%3D1%26pagetype%3Dstory%26hlmeta%3Dassault%20case%20against%20former%20ut%20basketball%20coach%20chris%20beard%20dismissed%20by%20travis%20county%20da%26aa%3Df","nielsen":"apid":"P74D95DB2-9ACC-40E2-B3B5-7B9C65C50126","sfcode":"dcr","type":"dcr","apn":"Anvato","environment":"production","useDerivedMetadata":true,"mapping":"adloadtype":2,"adModel":2,"segmentCustom":"script":"https://segment.psg.nexstardigital.net/anvato.js","writeKey":"8Jlo8JuUyENFG8nvLkq1NuyT2CHRyOp7","pluginsLoadingTimeout":12,"expectPrerollTimeout":8,"accessKey":"gq261XAmw8b5xi69ku8hYmO1kyPmMBzn","token":"eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ2aWQiOiI4Mzk2MTYwIiwiaXNzIjoiZ3EyNjFYQW13OGI1eGk2OWt1OGhZbU8xa3lQbU1Cem4iLCJleHAiOjE2NzY1NjAxMjh9.rMHS5ao3X-JmtMZ6jasmXTA8wepGkUkHLe7n6YjU5Lg","nxs":"mp4Url":"https://tkx.mp.lura.live/rest/v2/mcp/video/8396160?anvack=bvJ0dQpmRLZx7cMPeiW9U27gVRARwpPL&token=%7E5iuwd5IBbUS%2BNSZTYFmmWbloGseZvo70MQ%3D%3D","enableFloatingPlayer":true,"disableMutedAutoplay":false,"recommendations":false,"expectPreroll":false,"titleVisible":false,"pauseOnClick":true,"trackTimePeriod":60,"isPermutiveEnabled":true
// –>


Tracking the Coronavirus


COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area

/ 17 hours ago


Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas

/ 17 hours ago


Coronavirus Cases Tracker

Austin Weather

Current

49°

Cloudy

Tonight

33°

Mostly Clear

Precip: 0&percnt;

Tomorrow

54°

Mostly Sunny

Precip: 0&percnt;

Trending Stories


Police looking for H-E-B robbery suspects


TX state park to close, become private development


IRS pushes electronic tax filling


Advocate: Possible repercussions after Chris Beard …


Impacts of I-35 project on congestion, displacements

Don’t Miss


RESULTS: This is the best KXAN viewer pic of January


Can I burn my tree stumps, fallen branches post-storm?


TxDMV rejects vegan license plate for ‘vulgar’ phrase


Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team