- Wheeler was found guilty of two counts of domestic violence in November.
- He beat his ex-girlfriend, Alleah Taylor, in their suburban Seattle apartment.
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
Former Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants offensive lineman Chad Wheeler has been sentenced to 81 months (six years, nine months) in prison for domestic violence.
Wheeler was found guilty of one count of domestic violence by first-degree assault and one count of domestic violence by second-degree assault in November 2023. He was also found not guilty of false imprisonment.
That came nearly three years after his ex-girlfriend, Alleah Taylor, said he nearly killed her during an altercation at their apartment in Washington state.
During his hearing, a jury determined that Wheeler “used force or means likely to result in death” on his Taylor. She published in Twitter Later Thursday, “I finally have justice.”
Wheeler, who suffers from bipolar disorder, claims he was experiencing a “manic episode” during the incident. Meanwhile, Taylor is unsure if the assault was due to his mental health issues.
Chad Wheeler has been sentenced to 81 months in prison for assault/domestic violence
The Seahawks waived Wheeler after the incident occurred, with the team saying at the time, “The Seahawks are saddened by the details emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn this act of domestic violence.” Our thoughts and support are with the victim. Chad is a free agent and is no longer on the team.
Wheeler was booked in early February 2021 after officers responded to a call in the Seattle suburb of Kent from Taylor and members of her family saying she had been attacked but locked herself in a bathroom.
Officers arriving on the scene heard a woman screaming, forced their way into the apartment, broke down the locked door and found Wheeler with Taylor. He was crying and his face was covered in blood and his arm was hanging limply next to him, according to court records.
Wheeler was detained and police said he was uncooperative and yelling ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I don’t hit women!’ to the officers. Police ended up using a Taser on Wheeler, but it reportedly had little effect.
While at the hospital, Taylor spoke with investigators and revealed that Wheeler began strangling and trying to suffocate her after she refused to “stand up and bow down to him.”
Wheeler strangled his ex-girlfriend Alleah Taylor until she was unconscious and attacked her repeatedly
At the hospital, she was covered in marks and bruises attributed to blows she was unaware of.
Taylor began to lose consciousness and tried to fight back, but Wheeler grabbed her and twisted her arm. She was later diagnosed with a fractured humerus and a dislocated elbow in her left arm.
After regaining consciousness, Wheeler was at the bedside and commented, ‘Wow, are you alive?’ -at which point she ran to the bathroom where she called her family and the authorities.
Wheeler ended up picking the bathroom lock, walked in and started apologizing.
Police arrived on the scene and three officers were required to subdue the 315-pound football player.
Taylor arrived at the hospital with notable swelling and bruising – attributed to blows and punches that she does not remember – as well as injuries to her neck, some in the form of finger marks.
