LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Celebrity "SuperChef" and former Louisville restaurant owner Darnell Ferguson broke into the home of the mother of three of his children, got "upset" when he found a man in her bed and strangled her, a St. Matthews Police officer testified Thursday.

In a hearing 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 the woman's injuries, blood on her clothing, her statements, a hole punched in the wall and statements from the man initially in the home. 

An attorney for Ferguson, Krsna Tibbs, had argued at Ferguson’s arraignment last week that the victim had recanted her allegation of strangulation and did not want to cooperate with investigators. 

But in his testimony before Jefferson District Court Judge Stephanie Burke, Richardson said the alleged victim has been cooperative and has already given a statement, saying that not only did Ferguson strangle her to unconsciousness, but later called and said if she told anyone what happened, he would kill himself.

And she said a man she believes was Ferguson later came back to the apartment dressed in a hoody and ski mask. Police found Ferguson's vehicle in the area around this time. 

Burke ruled there was enough evidence to send the felony charges of burglary and strangulation to a grand jury next month.

Ferguson has pleaded not guilty and was released on a $10,000 bond. He was present by Zoom for the hearing but did not speak. He is also charged with assault, terroristic threatening, criminal mischief, theft and menacing.

Richardson said Ferguson tried to call the woman a few times that night because he needed to drop the kids off because of a family emergency. When she didn’t answer, Ferguson went to her home Jan. 2. Richardson said there was no sign of forced entry, but a window was open.

"I don't know if he was going (to the home) to commit crimes, however he did commit crimes," Richardson testified. 

The woman, who is not being named by WDRB News because she is an alleged victim of sexual assault, woke up with Ferguson in her room. Another man in the room got up and left, without any altercation, Richardson testified.

"He didn’t have any argument or issue with him," Richardson said, arguing, however, he believed Ferguson got upset when he found the man in the home. 

When the woman couldn't find a key Ferguson 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 said. Ferguson also ripped her shorts off and said she was his and "no one else's."

The officer testified that Ferguson calmed down and told the woman he was sorry and that she needed to get herself together as he was going to drop the children off.

Before he left, Richardson said Ferguson took the woman’s identification and credit card.

Asked about the credit card, Richardson said it has not been found but was used for the first time recently, though police are not yet sure by whom.

After the alleged attack, the woman was taken to the courthouse to take out an emergency protective order against Ferguson and then the hospital.

Last week, Tibbs told the judge that the alleged victim and her attorney were in agreement with lowering the bond in part because they share three children and Ferguson is needed to help take care of them. She was on Zoom during the arraignment. Her attorney has declined to comment. 

In addition, Tibbs also told the judge the alleged victim had recanted the allegation that he had strangled her.

Tibbs later told a WDRB News reporter the woman doesn't want to proceed with any criminal prosecution of Ferguson.

"She thinks they can work everything out and wants to drop the charges," Tibbs said in an interview.

But Richardson said the alleged victim is cooperating with prosecutors and he had just spoken to her on Wednesday. 

Tibbs argued there is no proof Ferguson broke into the home or that the woman was strangled, arguing the injuries appeared to be at most 4th degree domestic assault, a misdemeanor. 

The judge decided there was enough evidence for a grand jury to decide. 

Ferguson 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."

Ferguson told WDRB News the show was put on pause after his arrest and isn't airing right now.

Tibbs said in a statement to WDRB that "Mr. Ferguson continues to maintain his complete innocence and is confident that when all the facts are made public, he will be exonerated ... Right now, Mr. Ferguson is 100% focused on the well-being and safety of his family and asks that his children's privacy be maintained."

At one time, he owned several restaurants in Louisville, including SuperChefs, which closed in July 2022. He's also given back through his nonprofit and other charities.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic violence, there are multiple 24 hour hotlines that you can call:

  • LMPD crisis line: 1-844-237-2331
  • National DV Hotline: 800-799-7233
  • Center for Women and Children: 844-237-2331

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