A popular chef in Texas allegedly assaulted his wife — who later blamed the domestic violence incident on his medication, saying the restaurateur doesn’t condone violence and is a “blessing from our creator.”
In a Facebook post late Tuesday, Wendy Mann-Spears defended her husband, Grady Spears, following his arrest earlier in the day after police were called to the couple’s home for an assault call late Monday. Police said Mann-Spears, 52, had bruising on her face and body, and told responding officers that Spears hit her several times, the Fort Worth-Star Telegram reports.
“He’s a people person,” Mann-Spears wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post. “He’s a people pleaser.”
Mann-Spears, of Fort Worth, also praised her husband as a “wonderful soul” and a “blessing from our creator,” but acknowledged the couple is working through unspecified issues.
“There are demons from our past sometimes,” Mann-Spears wrote.
She also alluded to Spears having struggles with medication, but did not specify what type of drug he’s currently taking and what, if any, side effects it may have on the chef who owns and operates the Horseshoe Hill Café in Fort Worth, according to his website.
“He’s been on medication but been so bust lately he’s not been taking it the way he should have been,” Mann-Spears’ post continued. “He also is suffering debilitating back pain. Although we have sought and are in the care of professional things are what they are.”
Mann-Spears said the couple is now asking for “love, support and lack of judgment (understanding)” as the criminal case proceeds.
“We are good,” Mann-Spears wrote. “Our commitment has always been unwavering. We are one.”
Trent Loftin, Spears’ attorney, said his client “wholeheartedly denies” the allegations and was cooperative with responding officers while being taken into custody.
“I look forward to talking with law enforcement to tell them his side of the story,” Loftin wrote in an email to The Post. “It is my understanding that Mrs. Spears has told the police agency that she did not wish to press charges, she did not want him arrested, nor did she desire a protective order.”
Loftin said he expects Spears, whom he described as a “loving husband and father,” to be cleared of all charges once evidence in the case is presented. The incident was Spears’ first arrest, Loftin added.
Spears has been released from jail on a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury after posting bail, the Star-Telegram reports.
Spears, according to his website, considers himself a “cowboy cook” rather than a chef and has created menus and concepts at Reata in Alpine and Fort Worth. He has also written several cookbooks and made appearances on many cooking shows, including some on Food Network.
“Grady has cooked at the Texas Governor’s Mansion for George and Laura Bush before they made the move to Washington, D.C. and has rubbed elbows with the culinary elite, cooking with the likes of Martha Stewart, Mark Miller, Stephan Pyles as well as the late Jean-Louis Palladin,” the website reads.
Spears’ next venture, a chicken and biscuits restaurant called Graze, is expected to open later this year in Fort Worth.
