Jared Sullinger in court: victim claims history of abuse, Sullinger released on $5,000 bail
A few hours after turning himself in, Jared Sullinger has made his first court appearance. He's facing charges for assault and battery, witness intimidation and destruction of property. Here's the Boston Globe's David Abel's twitter feed. Lot of details here but felt like they were all worth posting.
Celtic Jared Sullinger just walked into courtroom wearing a grey Buckeyes t-shirt, for his alma mater, Ohio State.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
State is seeking $5,000 cash bail for Celtic Jared Sullinger.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared Sullinger stone faced as he listens to state say he he assaulted someone. Victim not clear. State seeking a stay away order.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Court taking a brief recess as Celtic Jared #Sullinger sits in the dock in handcuffs.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
The alleged victim of Celtic Jared #Sullinger is in the front row, he head in her hand.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
State is seeking a mental health evaluation of Celtic Jared #Sullinger. Judge is skeptical.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Judge says Celtic Jared Sullinger shouldn't be obliged at this stage for a mental health evaluation or treatment, given first appearance.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger pinned girlfriend to bed, pushed her and snatched her phone when she tried to call police, state charges.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Victim of Celtic Jared #Sullinger claimed to have red marks on her chest. Victim will speak in court now.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Alleged victim of Celtic Jared Sullinger is now speaking quietly to judge. Her name was released in court. Sullinger still looking down.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared Sullinger, after allegedly assaulting girlfriend, flew to Ohio, state says.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Argument between Celtic Jared Sullinger and girlfriend was over perceived infidelity, state says.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared Sullinger attorney says bail not necessary and he and victim are "longtime sweethearts" who met at Ohio state.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Says bail and stay away order not needed since Celtic Jared #Sullinger is a public figure.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Attorney for Celtic Jared #Sullinger said girlfriend waited 10 hours before contacting police and Sullinger came back from Ohio right away.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger attorney said alleged victim just told judge she didn't feel in danger.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger attorney noted recent high profile case in Waltham and said judge shouldn't use (Remy) case against Sullinger.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger alleged victim just declined to speak to me. She's now talking to judge again.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger met his lawyer at 5 am today and went to local police station at 6 am.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger was in Ohio staying with parents on a pre-planned trip, his lawyer said.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger was in Ohio staying with parents on a pre-planned trip, his lawyer said.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Judge allows Celtic Jared #Sullinger to contact his girlfriend by phone or with another person present.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Here's one very important detail, courtesy of MassLive's Jay King
Victim has claimed a history of abuse. Over the course of the past year, she alleges he became more angry. Hadn't hit her before, but pushed
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) September 3, 2013
The judge has decided to let Sullinger go on $5,000 bail. He'll be back in court September 19th, about a week and a half before training camp starts.
Bail for Celtic Jared #Sullinger was set at $5,000 cash.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger will have to be back in court Sept. 19.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Whenever a high profile athlete goes through something like this, I think it's best to remember a few things. First, that Sullinger is innocent until proven guilty, obviously. We don't know all the details, and convicting him before a trial is foolish. Second, that doesn't mean anyone needs to be blindly supporting him. No matter how much of a "good guy" he seems like, these charges are extremely serious and Sullinger could potentially be facing jail time if convicted. Finally, just because Sullinger's girlfriend says she does not feel threatened and does not want a "no contact" order — that does not mean these claims are necessarily bogus. It is very common in domestic abuse cases for the victim to be very forgiving after the fact. People in abusive relationships often times continue to go back to that person because they see good in them or just don't know what else to do.
As always with these types of situations, we'll keep you updated as more details are known. But let's try not to go out of our way to either convict or defend Sullinger quite yet. That's for the lawyers to do.
Edit:
More from Abel's stream on the details of the incident. Specifically on the claims that he cheated on her:
Court records: "Upon seeing her pack up her belongings, the argument got very heated and Jared began yelling at her to get out."
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger "kept pinning her down and would not let her up," according to court records.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Girlfriend of Celtic Jared #Sullinger said argument began after she found evidence he was cheating on her on his cell phone.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
Celtic Jared #Sullinger' girlfriend declined medical attention but had "visible red marks" on her chest, according to court records.
— David Abel (@davabel) September 3, 2013
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