Olympian Fred Kerley's estranged wife accuses track star of domestic violence as he posts bond for Miami Beach arrest
MIAMI — Olympian Fred Kerley has been released from jail after posting his bond after he was charged with battery on an officer and resisting arrest in Miami Beach earlier this week.
But, it's the additional charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident with his wife from last year that kept him locked up until Saturday night.
Fred Kerley did not answer any of CBS News Miami's questions regarding either case. The judge has ordered the athlete to stay away from his wife and to have no contact with her.
Kerley's wife speaks out
Two-time Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley walked out of the gate at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center to his attorneys, where they said one statement and took off. He is facing charges from two incidents — one tied to an arrest caught on camera in Miami Beach. The other is connected to an alleged incident last year involving his wife.
CBS News Miami spoke with Angelica Kerley, Fred's estranged wife, who said that the alleged incident back in May that has now has the track star facing domestic battery charges was a turning point in their relationship.
"When I was watching him go to the Olympics, knocking what he's done — it's just like nobody knows who he is," she said.
Team USA track sprinter Fred Kerley was arrested after a confrontation with Miami Beach Police officers, all caught on police body camera. Then on Friday afternoon, he was also charged with domestic battery with strangulation and strong-arm robbery against his wife last May.
"All I remember [is] trying to get up and he tries to grab my phone again, so I scoot it under me and he's standing over me at this point behind me and he takes his arm and he wraps it around my neck and he proceeds to choke me so hard that I can't gasp for air," Angelica Kerley said. "And I'm not going to lie, at some point, I thought that he was going to kill me."
The mother of three told CBS News Miami that after he had let go, the confrontation continued between the couple in front of his family members and their children.
"And, he took his arm again in front of my daughter, who was at the time [8 years old], and she saw him do this and tried to choke me again," Angelica Kerley said. "I picked up a toy to him to get him off me and my daughter is literally scratching at his eyes to get him off of me."
She claimed she asked Fred Kerley for a divorce on numerous occasions and a fresh start; but, she said he won't grant her the divorce.
In open court, Angelica Kerley said she had a change of heart despite being brought in by his defense team.
"They asked me to be here and speak on his behalf, but I want to proceed on pressing charges against him," she said in bond court.
She told CBS News Miami that the body camera footage from her husband's arrest led her to speak about what she said happened last May.
"Seeing the video of this recent incident and how like he was aggressive, it kind of made me think like he didn't feel any remorse for what he did to me," Angelica Kerley said. "I know I have to think about my children but he didn't think about his children in that situation."
Bonding out
Fred Kerley's attorneys said the bodycam video "speaks for itself" when he walked out of jail Saturday night.
"At this time, we look forward to working with the State Attorney's Office, helping in their investigation any way we can," said Yale Sanford, the Olympian's attorney. "And, we look forward to getting justice for Fred."
However, they refused to comment on the case involving his wife.
"What about the statements about the strangulation? Those charges?" CBS News Miami asked. "Are you guys going to ignore those?"
Sanford had only this to say on Fred Kerley's behalf: "No."
"We're not going to comment at this time," he said.
Fred Kerley's attorneys sent CBS News Miami a statement earlier Saturday that read in part: "The allegations are made by a highly motivated and angry woman. The idea that Mr. Kerley won't 'grant' her a divorce is just as ridiculous as the allegations against Fred."
