Former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock was charged with felony domestic violence and misdemeanor child endangerment, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office announced on Tuesday.
Brock, who was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., faces up to five years in prison, if convicted.
On April 6, the alleged victim, a 31-year-old woman, reported to police that Brock had punched her in the face and attempted to strangle her multiple times, including once as she was holding their 1-year-old child, according to the DA’s office.
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The argument, she told police, was over what to watch on TV. She was strangled to the point that she vomited and the incident left the alleged victim with visible marks on her neck, according to the DA’s office.
Five days earlier, Brock also attempted to strangle her, according to her statement.
“It takes great courage for victims to come forward,” prosecutor Kalila Spain said in a statement. “But only with someone coming forward can the violence be interrupted.”
Assistant District Attorney Cindy Hendrickson, citing research, said strangulation can cause traumatic brain injury. He encouraged victims to seek prompt medical attention immediately even if there are no visible injuries.
San Francisco 49ers
Just hours after news of Brock’s arrest became public, the 49ers announced the release of Brock, who was projected to again be a starting player on the 49ers’ defense.
Brock, 28, started 31 games over the past two seasons. Brock had been a starter since 2013, but he was plagued by injuries that season and again in 2014. He was entering the final year of an extension he signed in November 2013 that would have paid him $3.55 million this season.
“I can also tell you that it wasn’t meant to send a message,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said a week after Brock was released. “I think you let those things happen organically and we did what we felt was the right situation in that situation. It was not easy and felt like it was something that we needed to do.”