Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

No matter how heated a quarrel can become involving a married couple, partners, or two people just allegedly dating, there is never any excuse for things to become physically violent. On September 6, 2009, outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Shawn Merriman, was arrested and charged with battery and false imprisonment of reality TV celebrity Tila Tequila. Apparently, the well-known football player is being accused of choking, restraining, and throwing Ms. Tequila to the ground when she was trying to leave his house.

It is being argued in Merriman’s defense that Ms. Tequila had been drinking and, according to his attorney, Merriman “essentially was doing what was appropriate under the circumstances in trying to protect the safety of Miss Tequila. There were numerous eyewitnesses that will support his version of the events that transpired at his home.”

As to what the end result of this complex and serious domestic violence situation will be, we will have to see what happens as evidence and witness testimony unfolds. Although this incident took place in California, domestic violence in Pennsylvania is an unfortunate occurrence that greatly affects both men and women who are victims of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse. Situations where children are a part of such victimization are even more devastating and can have lasting consequences on a child’s life.

If you have been a victim of domestic violence in Pennsylvania, it is important that you seek help as soon as it is safe to do so. You may also want to examine whether or not filing a restraining order against your attacker is a good option for you and your particular situation. For more information as to what can be done to protect your legal rights, call the skilled Philadelphia domestic violence attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. today for a free consultation.

Source article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4450962