Packers LB Walden released from jail (UPDATE)

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By CARRIE ANTLFINGER
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Green Bay Packers linebacker Erik Walden was released from jail Monday after spending the weekend behind bars following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.

Walden was arrested Friday in Brown County on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend at their apartment near Green Bay. County District Attorney John Zakowski said Walden’s girlfriend originally told police they were arguing and he pushed her but she has changed her story to say she hit him first.

The woman ultimately ended up with a head laceration from falling onto a bed’s headboard and was treated at a local hospital, Zakowski said. He said it was unclear who called police.

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, court was closed for the weekend and Walden stayed in jail. He was released Monday on a $1,000 signature bond following a hearing in Green Bay.

No formal charges have been filed, though prosecutors are still investigating. Zakowski said he needs more time to interview others to see if this is a case of miscommunication or if the woman is trying to protect Walden.

“We want to get things right and clearly here when people are watching to see what happens we are going to do the normal protocol and analysis and what that means is to follow-up and determining as best we can what happened and what can we prove,” he said.

The 26-year-old Walden started all 11 games this season and played in the team’s 27-15 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Lions. The team flew back from Detroit after the game and players were home by Thursday evening.

A team spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday evening. But team officials did release a statement on Friday, saying they were aware of the situation. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will refrain from making any further comment,” according to the statement.

Walden is scheduled to return to court Dec. 7.