Former KTVU anchor Frank Somerville pleaded not guilty to a number of misdemeanor charges throughout his arraignment Thursday after being arrested twice in a single day in Berkeley on Monday.
Somerville’s legal professional, Shannan Dugan, attended the arraignment on his behalf, Dugan advised SFGATE.
Somerville was booked into Berkeley City Jail on Monday night time on suspicion of assault, felony threats, public intoxication and probation violation, Berkeley police stated. The former anchor’s bail was posted at $27,500, and he was subsequently launched from custody. Somerville, 65, was arrested a second time 9 hours afterward suspicion of driving underneath the affect and probation violation, Berkeley police stated.
The first arrest occurred when Somerville bought in a bodily combat along with his brother after exhibiting up intoxicated to his household’s home on Indian Rock Avenue within the Berkeley Hills, the household alleged.
Berkeley police stated they responded to a name simply after 6:30 p.m. relating to a “family altercation.” Somerville allegedly refused to go away the property and threatened members of the family.
After being launched from custody, Somerville allegedly returned to the home round 3:30 a.m., however he was arrested once more as a result of he continued to ring the doorbell and “showed obvious symptoms of public intoxication,” police stated.
Dugan stated in a press release to SFGATE that the incidents have been “an unfortunate family encounter that did not need to result in police intervention.”
Somerville allegedly visited the home as a result of he needed to speak to his father concerning the “hurtful exclusion of a beloved family member,” the assertion learn. Somerville allegedly had seen accidents after his brother pinned him on the bottom till police got here, Dugan stated.
Dugan stated these seen accidents included scratches, scrapes and bruises. She stated Somerville didn’t require hospitalization however was handled by EMTs on the scene.
Somerville returned to the home the second time to search for his cellphone, she stated.
Dugan stated Somerville can’t touch upon the case, however he denies the felony allegations.
This comes after Somerville was arrested on DUI charges in December 2021 and famous for slurring his phrases on reside tv in May 2021.
Dugan stated Somerville is attending Alcoholics Anonymous conferences.
“As anyone with loved ones who struggle with substance abuse knows, recovery is not a straight line. Mr. Somerville is attending AA meetings and understands he must continue to get help for underlying issues that led to this sad situation,” she stated in a press release.
Somerville will seem in courtroom subsequent on Aug. 14 at 9 a.m.
Katie Dowd contributed to this text.