Chiefs’ Reid discusses coach Dave Merritt’s misdemeanor domestic battery charge
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Dave Merritt was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after an April arrest.
- Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Merritt has been upfront while legal process proceeds.
- Merritt’s next court date is scheduled for June 24 and will occur via Zoom.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was at the team facility during NFL Draft weekend and remains with the club as rookie minicamp continues Saturday.
Merritt appeared in Johnson County District Court via Zoom on Thursday, April 23. He was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery, stemming from an incident alleged to have occurred Wednesday, April 22 that led to his arrest.
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office filed the charge against the 54-year-old Merritt, alleging he “unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly” caused bodily harm to a daughter, which constitutes a domestic violence offense, according to court documents. A public defender entered a not guilty plea on Merritt’s behalf.
At the time of the incident, the Chiefs said they were aware of the arrest and had no comment.
On Saturday, head coach Andy Reid addressed the matter.
“Dave’s been very up-front with everything,” Reid said. “We’re still going through that whole procedure.
“In this case, you always let the law enforcement part take care of itself and work its way out. And so that’s where we’re at right now, but we’re aware, and we’ve had communication with both sides there, with the law enforcement side and Dave.”
Merritt’s next court appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. on June 24. The hearing will be held over Zoom.
Merritt has spent seven seasons as the Chiefs’ defensive backs coach, and his NFL career spans nearly three decades, including a four-year playing career as a linebacker.
Coordinators and assistant coaches typically speak to media during the opening weeks of training camp.
