MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors say Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook strangled his girlfriend in a jealous rage and hit her head so hard that she slammed into a wall.
But defense attorneys contend Cook never choked Chantel Baker, and that he was trying to protect himself from her drunken attack.
The 25-year-old Cook is being tried on felony charges of domestic assault by strangulation and third-degree assault in the October incident.
In opening statements Wednesday, defense attorney David Valentini said Cook hit Baker as he reflexively tried to knock away what he thought was a weapon. Valentini says Cook’s size doesn’t make him the aggressor.