Former Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green was arrested early Monday morning and charged with felony child abuse. The Packers all-time leading rusher is facing a possible prison sentence for allegations he struck his teenage daughter.
Former Packers' RB Ahman Green jailed on child abuse claim:https://t.co/0Etus5SRem https://t.co/SeZowWO37M
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 26, 2017
Ahman Green Arrested, Charged With Child Abuse
The Allegations
The event allegedly took place in the Town of Ledgeview in Brown County (the same county where Green Bay is located). Brown County Sheriff’s Office forwarded a referral for one count of Child Abuse-Intentionally Cause Bodily Harm, a crime classified as a Class H Felony in Wisconsin. This means the crime, if proven, could carry a penalty as high as six years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both. Wisconsin uses a system called Truth in Sentencing, meaning a six year prison term could only include three years inside a prison followed by three years under extended supervision in the community.
Brown County assistant district attorney Wendy Lemkuil added a charge of Disorderly Conduct. This covers any sort of overly loud, violent, abusive, boisterous or otherwise disorderly conduct. This charge is a Class B misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in the county jail, $1,000 fine or both.
Specifics of the Charges
Local news sources obtained copies of the Criminal Complaint.
Complaint states Green's daughter suffered black eye, scrapes by her eye. Green says injuries are from accidentally hitting her glasses. https://t.co/zMxb8V0zbp
— Ben Krumholz WLUK (@BenKrumholzWLUK) June 26, 2017
Criminal complaint states Green hit his daughter, upset that she refused to do chores like put away dishes.
— Ben Krumholz WLUK (@BenKrumholzWLUK) June 26, 2017
Green appeared before Court Commissioner Jane Sequin from the jail through video teleconference. Green was given a $2,500 signature bond. The bond orders Green to have no contact with his daughter or any of the witnesses. Furthermore, he is to have no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. After signing the signature bond, Green was released.
Green’s Attorney, Lee Schuchart, said this case will revolve around “constitutional rights” about parents’ rights in disciplining children. Previously, Green did have one other criminal charge in Brown County. The 2005 matter was initially charged as disorderly conduct as an act of domestic abuse. However, the case was later dismissed. Then district attorney John Zakowski later said, “Given the extreme likelihood of an acquittal, I think ethically we were duty-bound to dismiss.”
Wisconsin keeps all cases visible to the public through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal (CCAP). CCAP is a free service. Ahman Green’s case can be found here:
Brown County Case No. 17CF927.
Expectations
If Green were not famous, he would be anyone else with a felony count and no criminal history. The most likely scenario in that case would be a recommendation from the prosecutor for a reduced misdemeanor charge (like battery) and place the defendant on probation for some term. Parenting classes or anger management might be conditions requested under such a probation.
Still, Green seems to be stating that he was acting to discipline his child. Potentially, he could win on a claim of parental discipline. Wisconsin recognizes the right to discipline a child under the Privilege of Parental Discipline. This privilege can be asserted unless the prosecution can prove one of these three things is not true:
- the use of force must be reasonably necessary;
- the amount and nature of the force used must be reasonable; and
- the force used must not be known to cause, or create a substantial risk of, great bodily harm or death.
(You can read State v. Kimberly B. 2005 WI App 115, if this interests you further).
Only time will tell. Green will be back in Court on July 11, 2017 for an initial appearance. At this time, he will almost certainly enter a not guilty plea and schedule some manner of conference with the assistant district attorney.
