CORRALES, N.M., AUG. 1 -- Former Los Angeles Lakers star and current assistant coach Michael Cooper was arrested for battery and assault after threatening his wife with a vase.
He was arrested the night of July 27 after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at Cooper's home. According to a Corrales police department report released today, Cooper was arrested and taken to St. Joseph West Mesa Hospital for observation. He later was booked into the Sandoval County Jail and then released.
A Lakers spokesman said the team would not immediately comment. The couple's lawyer, Joe Lang, released a statement on behalf of Cooper, who was in Los Angeles, and his wife, Wanda, who was in Corrales. The Coopers have been married for 17 years.
"While this incident is truly regrettable, it should be made clear that Michael never hit Wanda and that Wednesday night's activities were truly an aberration," the statement said. "The Coopers have a very strong marriage and a loving and supportive family that is working together to put this problem behind them."
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Wanda Cooper described the dispute as an argument that escalated, and called her husband's conduct completely out of character.
"They make it sound as if the man was absolutely killing me," she said. "That's not the case at all. Michael has never expressed anger like that. This is a total aberration of who he is."
Cooper, according to police, threatened his wife with a vase after Corrales policeman Bruce Ellis arrived at the Cooper residence. The police said that Cooper, who was in the bedroom, began arguing with his wife, grabbed one of her ankles and pulled her off the bed. At that point, Cooper's wife pleaded: "Please don't hit me, baby. Please don't."
Ellis said he got between the couple and took Cooper out of the room. Cooper then returned to the bedroom and started yelling at his wife again. Cooper, the report said, grabbed a small vase and "reared his hand back as though he was going to strike her."
Ellis again separated the couple and grabbed Cooper's hand, at which time Cooper put down the vase.
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