Ex-49er Brock Charged With Felony Domestic Violence
SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- Former San Francisco 49er cornerback Tramaine Brock was arraigned on felony domestic violence charges in a San Jose courtroom Tuesday afternoon.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney said the 28-year-old Santa Clara resident Brock is accused of punching his girlfriend in the face and choking her multiple times, including once as she was holding their 1-year-old child.
Brock is also charged with misdemeanor child endangerment. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
On April 6 of this year, the 31-year-old victim reported to police that Brock had assaulted her during a disagreement over what to watch on television.
According to the victims report to officers, Brock had punched her in the face and chocked her to the point that she later vomited.
She also said that five days earlier, Brock had tried to choke her multiple times while his friend was at his home. The incident left the victim with visible marks on her neck.
"It takes great courage for victims to come forward, but only with someone coming forward can the violence be interrupted," said prosecutor Kalila Spain.
Brock was arrested that night at a home on Headen Way, about 2 miles from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The next day, he was released on $50,000 bail and fired by the 49ers, for whom he had played since 2010.
Brock started all 16 games for the 49ers during the 2016 regular season. He had 49 tackles, 10 of which were solo, one interception and defended
14 pass attempts.
The eight-year veteran graduated from Belhaven University and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers in 2010.
Brock appeared in court Tuesday in a gray suit and declined to comment on the case. He is scheduled to enter a plea on July 3.
A no-contact protective order granted by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Nora Klippen will prevent Brock from contacting or coming within 300 yards of his girlfriend other than to allow for child visitation, depending on family court orders.
The protective order is set to expire on June 6, 2020.
Grabbing someone by the neck can cause traumatic brain injury, according to Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney Cindy Hendrickson, who said victims should seek prompt medical attention even without visible injuries.
According to the district attorney's office, domestic violence-related deaths over the past 20 years show that abusers who attempt to strangle their victims are more likely to kill at a later date.
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