BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WBAY) – Updated to reflect Ahman Green was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, replacing an initial charge of child abuse intentionally causing harm, and with a statement from Green.
Former Green Bay Packers player Ahman Green entered a plea in court Thursday and was found guilty of charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, both misdemeanors, stemming from a fight with his then-15-year-old daughter last year.
“I am happy that the truth has finally won out and my name has been cleared of the terrible crime of child abuse. I have never and would never abuse anyone, including my daughter whom I love, dearly,” Green wrote in a statement after the hearing.
Green entered an Alford plea, similar to a no-contest plea but maintaining his innocence while waiving his right to a trial which was scheduled to begin this week.
He said “parental discipline” was the reason for the altercation with his daughter, but Green said he wanted to spare his daughter and the rest of his family “the emotional trauma of a trial.”
Brown County Judge John Zakowski told him there’s a fine line between parental discipline and child abuse. But, the judge added, “It is significant that Mr. Green is accepting responsibility and not putting anyone through a trial.”
According to the criminal complaint, Green’s daughter told police she and her father were arguing because she wouldn’t do the dishes. She says he grabbed her, carried her into the kitchen, threw her against a cabinet and hit her.
Green admitted hitting her with an open palm, according to the criminal complaint.
Green told the court Thursday, “Just as much as I wanted to be a football player, I wanted to be a parent. And that’s all I’ve done for the time I’ve had both my daughters and my stepkids. I’ve been in their lives. That’s all I’ve been wanting to do.”
He was sentenced to 18 months on probation. He’s not allowed any unsupervised contact with his daughter, and he must write her a letter of apology. He’s also required to take parenting and anger management classes and undergo an evaluation.
Zakowski said Green’s status as a former Packers player did not play into the decision in this case.
“It’s always difficult. If you were a Packer, you’re a celebrity, and there’s always a concern — and I’m saying this because Attorney Lemkiul addressed it — people are wondering if you’re being treated differently.”
The judge went on, “I’m satisfied that that’s not happening here, that this is a, quite frankly, factually, it’s not like many other difficult situations where a parent, a loving parent, and involved parent, has difficulties with a teenager.”
Now let the healing begin. #parenting #kids #family #love #healing #life #friends #fathersanddaughters pic.twitter.com/XJkIz4sgaY
— Ahman Green (@AhmanGreen30) April 19, 2018