(Photo Credit: KIRO 7 News)
Chad Wheeler, a former offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks, was sentenced to 81 months in state prison on Friday after being convicted in November for first and second degree assault/domestic violence.
Incident Details and Legal Proceedings
The sentence, handed down in King County (Washington) Superior Court, stemmed from a 2021 incident with Wheeler and his then-girlfriend. Due to the jury’s determination that he “used force or means likely to result in death,” Wheeler’s conviction on first-degree assault/domestic violence, categorized as a Class A felony, mandated a minimum sentence of 60 months.
According to a report from ESPN, the Court documents revealed that prosecutors requested a 108 month sentence which falls within the standard sentencing range.
In addition to the 81 month term, Wheeler received 36 months of probation and a directive to undergo a mental health evaluation and pay for restitution.
Wheeler’s Mental Health and Defense
Wheeler, serving as a backup tackle with the Seahawks at the time, faced arrest in January 2021 after accusations of pinning the woman down and choking her until she lost consciousness twice.
The victim, Alleah Taylor, recounted that upon regaining consciousness the second time, Wheeler expressed astonishment at her survival.
Taylor sustained severe injuries, including a fractured humerus and a dislocated elbow.
Wheeler, who said that he has bipolar disorder, attributed the incident to a “manic episode.” However, Taylor expressed uncertainty about whether his mental health condition contributed to the assault.
Impact on Wheeler’s Career and NFL Release
A King County jury convicted Wheeler of first and second degree assault/domestic violence, while acquitting him of a third count of unlawful imprisonment. Per Washington’s double jeopardy clause, the sentence solely addressed the first count of first-degree assault.
The Seahawks released Wheeler following the incident, and since then, no NFL team has signed him. Initially, he pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial experienced multiple delays due to continuances requested by the defense.
