Fallon
11-25-2002, 04:42 PM
<b>Wrestler Austin Gets Probation in Wife Beating
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) -</b> "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, one of the best-known American professional wrestlers, pleaded no contest on Monday to a misdemeanor charge he beat his wife, netting him a year-long probation and a fine.
Bexar County Court-at-Law Judge Bill White ordered Austin, a Texas native whose real name is Steve Williams, to pay a $1,000 fine and to do 80 hours of community service. He must also attend a family violence counseling course.
"It's been a chaotic few months. I'm not a regular in the court system, so I'm glad to get it behind me," Austin told reporters after the hearing. "This has been a drag"
Austin, 36, was charged with misdemeanor spousal battery after striking his wife, Debra Williams, on the head, back and legs in June at their upscale home in San Antonio.
The former World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. star has not appeared on WWE shows since a dispute just days before the incident with his wife. WWE spokesman Gary Davis said Austin was suspended after failing to appear at two performances.
The wrestler stood in court in a trim black suit and white shirt, his trademark shaved head bowed as White read the charges against him. Defense attorney Van Hilley entered the plea for his client, who could have faced up to a year in jail.
Assistant Bexar County District Attorney Scott Simpson said Austin's deal is similar to those given other first-time offenders.
"We feel very good about the plea. He took responsibility for what he did," Simpson said.
If Austin fulfills the terms of his probation, no guilty plea will be entered in his record. He is prohibited from drinking alcohol, must not behave aggressively toward his wife and must ask the court for permission to leave Bexar County.
The wrestler said he and his wife, a 42-year-old former beauty queen who is affiliated with the WWE, are working on a reconciliation. Austin said he is focusing on resurrecting his career.
"I made my first personal appearance recently in Richmond, Virginia and there were five thousand people there, so I feel I still have a lot of drawing power," Austin said. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021125/people_nm/crime_wrestler_dc
I hope he gets his shit together and comes back. WWE needs him.
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SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) -</b> "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, one of the best-known American professional wrestlers, pleaded no contest on Monday to a misdemeanor charge he beat his wife, netting him a year-long probation and a fine.
Bexar County Court-at-Law Judge Bill White ordered Austin, a Texas native whose real name is Steve Williams, to pay a $1,000 fine and to do 80 hours of community service. He must also attend a family violence counseling course.
"It's been a chaotic few months. I'm not a regular in the court system, so I'm glad to get it behind me," Austin told reporters after the hearing. "This has been a drag"
Austin, 36, was charged with misdemeanor spousal battery after striking his wife, Debra Williams, on the head, back and legs in June at their upscale home in San Antonio.
The former World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. star has not appeared on WWE shows since a dispute just days before the incident with his wife. WWE spokesman Gary Davis said Austin was suspended after failing to appear at two performances.
The wrestler stood in court in a trim black suit and white shirt, his trademark shaved head bowed as White read the charges against him. Defense attorney Van Hilley entered the plea for his client, who could have faced up to a year in jail.
Assistant Bexar County District Attorney Scott Simpson said Austin's deal is similar to those given other first-time offenders.
"We feel very good about the plea. He took responsibility for what he did," Simpson said.
If Austin fulfills the terms of his probation, no guilty plea will be entered in his record. He is prohibited from drinking alcohol, must not behave aggressively toward his wife and must ask the court for permission to leave Bexar County.
The wrestler said he and his wife, a 42-year-old former beauty queen who is affiliated with the WWE, are working on a reconciliation. Austin said he is focusing on resurrecting his career.
"I made my first personal appearance recently in Richmond, Virginia and there were five thousand people there, so I feel I still have a lot of drawing power," Austin said. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021125/people_nm/crime_wrestler_dc
I hope he gets his shit together and comes back. WWE needs him.
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