Vikings’ Moon Acquitted in Spousal Assault Case

A jury in Richmond, Texas, acquitted Minnesota Viking quarterback Warren Moon of spousal assault on Thursday.

The panel of four women and two men deliberated only 27 minutes before returning its verdict in the case, which had been pursued over the objections of Moon’s wife, Felicia. Under a new Texas law, she was compelled to testify against her husband.

As the judge polled jurors to ensure that their decision was unanimous, Felicia Moon mouthed, “Thank you,” then embraced her husband.

Had Moon, 39, been convicted on the misdemeanor assault charge, he could have been sentenced to a year in jail and fined $4,000.

The case has been a lightning rod for spousal-abuse debates. Felicia Moon had been singled out for criticism for her refusal to press charges against her husband.

She was adamant in defending her decision, however, and told reporters after the verdict, “The women who think I betrayed them were not in my bedroom on July 18.”

Moon, who had played for the Houston Oilers earlier in his career, said he was relieved.

“It’s been quite an ordeal,” he said. “It’s taken a large toll on our family.”

Felicia Moon testified that the incident last summer was her fault because she had run up substantial bills, angering her husband. Prosecutors introduced into evidence police photographs showing her cuts and bruises. Her husband testified that they were results of his efforts to restrain his wife.

“She just kind of went ballistic,” Moon said.

Moon testified that the couple frequently argued and that during the July 18 incident, his wife threw a candle holder and struck him in the back when he demanded her credit cards.

A non-English speaking housekeeper called 911 and the couple’s 7-year-old son told the operator he feared his father was going to beat his mother.

Jurors told the Associated Press they did not believe it was a case of assault, saying the violence depicted was not abnormal within a marriage.

Said Rachel Rogers: “I’m sure all of us have some violence in our marriage that just hasn’t come out.”

Added Frank Sparks: This “was not spousal abuse--it was not. . . . That was just little scratches and everything. Something they could have handled themselves at home. He didn’t beat her.”

Jury foreman James Rodgers said, “We felt like the Moons needed another chance.”