Darnell 'SuperChef' Ferguson's wife says police 'twisted' her words, criminal charges against him are false

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Celebrity "SuperChef" and former Louisville restaurant owner Darnell Ferguson's wife claims her words were "twisted" by police "looking to make a name for themselves" and that criminal charges alleging he assaulted her are false.

In a news release sent out by her attorney Tuesday, Tatahda Ferguson said she reacted in the "heat of the moment" on Jan. 2, 2024, and called police after an intense argument with her estranged husband "that really didn't warrant their involvement."

She now claims that the charges stemming from that incident, including first-degree strangulation, are not true.

"Darnell is a good man!" Tatahda Ferguson said in a news release sent by her attorney, Dawn Elliott. "I have never felt unsafe or threatened by him and he has always been an incredible father to our children. It hurts my heart the way he's being vilified. I am coming forward to try and do what's right to clear his name."

WDRB News does not typically name alleged domestic violence victims, but in this case, she is denying she was attacked and her attorney has identified her.

On Feb. 20, Ferguson was indicted for first-degree burglary, first-degree strangulation, fourth-degree assault, third-degree terroristic threatening, menacing and criminal mischief.

He is known nationally from various TV shows, including as a host on Food Network's "SuperChef Grudge Match." He also competed on several of the network's other shows, including "Tournament of Champions."

On Tuesday, Darnell Ferguson, 37, said he has "told everyone this entire time the original statement was 100% not how anything happened. I do know that the detective and now prosecutor are all trying to make a name at my expense. And now that the actual truth is out we will see there true intentions in front of everyone."

Police have testified that Ferguson got "upset" when he found a man in the alleged victim's bed and strangled her.

In a hearing in February to determine if there was enough evidence for a criminal case against Ferguson to continue, St. Matthews Detective Mark Richardson testified police have pictures of Tatahda Ferguson's injuries, blood on her clothing, her statements, a hole punched in the wall and statements from the man initially in the home.

Attorney Krsna Tibbs, who represents Darnell Ferguson, said the evidence doesn't show indications of strangulation and his wife's statement is indicative of what they have been saying from the beginning.

"He was never in a hostile mood" as he was dropping off their three children because of a family emergency, Tibbs said Tuesday.

Tibbs said it will be up to the prosecution to decide whether to continue with the case without Tatahda's cooperation.

The Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney's office said in a statement that "although the decision whether to prosecute or not prosecute is ultimately up to the prosecuting attorney, the victim’s opinion is important, and the prosecuting attorney will take those wishes into account when making decisions regarding the case."

However, the statement continues, "while we acknowledge the input of victims in the process, under our legal system all crimes are offenses against the public, not just individuals. Our dedication is to preserving public safety. Criminal complaints are prosecuted on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, not the individual who called the police or the person who may have been personally harmed by the defendant’s conduct. Requests to amend, dismiss, or “drop” charges must be approved by the assigned prosecutor.

"This approach is important because it takes the responsibility for prosecuting defendants off the victim’s shoulders and makes it the prosecuting attorney’s responsibility, where it legally belongs. It also means that in any case that is being prosecuted, a victim cannot be legally 'pressured' into dropping the charges.

"As developments occur in the pursuit of justice, and as is warranted by the development of the case, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney will provide the public with additional updates and responses to inquiries."

St. Matthews Police Department Chief Barry Wilkerson said the investigation is continuing and "our department is committed to working diligently with victims in this case and all domestic violence cases."

In an interview, he said he could not comment further as the case is pending.

In her statement, Tatahda Ferguson said there was no burglary or trespassing and "the only time that Darnell put his hands on me was to push me away from him. There was no attempt at strangulation or any kind of assault by Darnell."

She said she would have spoken out sooner but "the officers and the legal system manipulated the situation. I never had any authentic guidance or representation during the process and I'm seeing now that there is a different agenda aside from my safety and well-being."

In a request for an emergency protective order the night of the alleged attack, Tatahda said that her estranged husband was upset because she wasn't answering his texts and that she had a man over, according to court records. In the press release, Tatahada said she never wanted to ask for an EPO but "the detective made me." On Monday, she requested that EPO be dismissed, according to court records.

On Jan. 18, Richardson said Ferguson tried to call a few times that night. When she didn't answer, he went to her home. Richardson said there was no sign of forced entry, but a window was open.

Another man in the room got up and left when Ferguson showed up, without any altercation, Richardson testified.

When Tatahda couldn't find a key her husband needed for another vehicle, he punched a hole in a closet wall, the officer testified.

The two argued and Ferguson "put both of his hands around her throat and started to strangle her," saying he said "I'm going to kill you," Richardson testified. Ferguson also ripped her shorts off and said she was his and "no one else's," according to the officer.

In the news release, Tatahda claims she was never in danger and never asked to go to the hospital, but police insisted.

"I didn't know my rights and was just going along with what they told me to do," according to the news release. "I ask that we please put this matter to rest for the well-being of my children and family. Darnell is a good man with a great heart and didn't deserve for any of this to happen."

During Ferguson's arraignment in January, his attorney said the alleged victim had recanted the strangulation allegation and didn't want to proceed with the prosecution.

At the time, Assistant Jefferson County Attorney Cristin Southard told a judge is not unusual for a victim of domestic violence to not cooperate with the prosecution of a case.

"They may think they want to reconcile but ... these are very serious allegations, and we have concerns," Southard said. "Recantation, minimizing, those are all parts of the cycle of domestic violence."

But prosecutors and police had since said that Tatahda is cooperating and stands by her allegations.

Ferguson is scheduled to be back in court in July.

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