Vikings' Chris Cook charged with felony domestic assault

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has filed a charge of felony domestic assault strangulation against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook.

Cook was arrested this weekend after police were called to his Eden Prairie townhouse. He is accused of striking his girlfriend and trying to strangle her twice.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said at a news conference Tuesday that Cook's girlfriend had marks on her neck and burst blood vessels in one of her eyes, injuries consistent with strangulation.

Freeman said Cook has no prior convictions and there's no evidence of prior abuse. If convicted, Cook could receive a sentence of a year and a day in jail, although he most likely wouldn't serve much of his sentence behind bars.

"Folks suggest that just because a person is an athlete they're treated either better or worse. This is treated exactly as we have other domestic abuse strangulation cases in terms of the charge; in terms of the bail; in terms of the proposed sentence," said Freeman.

Cook was released on $40,000 bail.

The Vikings said in a statement released Tuesday night that Cook had been suspended from the team without pay. The team called the allegations "very disturbing and disappointing."

Gallery

Fullscreen SlideshowPrevious Slide

1 of 1

Next Slide