Ted Johnson’s wife, Jacqueline Johnson, was married to the former New England Patriots linebacker during his final NFL season and the first year of his retirement. The couple was arrested together after a domestic dispute at their Weston, Massachusetts home in July 2006. The assault and battery charges against both were dismissed that October after each invoked marital privilege and refused to testify. They divorced later the same year.15280. This Is Ted Johnson’s Brain
Who Jacqueline Johnson Is
Ted and Jacqueline met at a party a few years before the spring of 2005.15280. This Is Ted Johnson’s Brain At the time of the 2006 incident, Jacqueline was 40 and Ted was 33.2Milford Daily News. NFL Notes: Assault Charges Dropped They had two young children: a daughter, Samantha, who was about two at the time of the divorce, and a son, Charlie, who was less than a year old.
What Happened the Night of the Arrest
On Sunday, July 16, 2006, police in Weston, Massachusetts responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at the Johnson home. Officers found Jacqueline in the driveway. She told them that she and Ted had argued and that he had assaulted her.3South Coast Today. Ex-Patriot Johnson, Wife Arrested
According to the police report, the argument began when Jacqueline tried to take Ted’s prescription medications away from him.2Milford Daily News. NFL Notes: Assault Charges Dropped Ted had been using prescription stimulants, including Adderall, to counter the lethargy and concentration problems he attributed to concussion-related brain injuries sustained during his career. He later said he had been obtaining prescriptions from several doctors at once.15280. This Is Ted Johnson’s Brain
The report alleged that Ted twisted Jacqueline’s arm behind her back and shoved her into a bookcase, and that Jacqueline fought back by punching and scratching him.4South Coast Today. Assault Charges Dropped Against Ex-Patriots Player Both were arrested and charged with assault and battery. They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in Waltham District Court on July 18, 2006, and were released on personal recognizance.3South Coast Today. Ex-Patriot Johnson, Wife Arrested
Jacqueline’s Public Defense of Ted
In the days after the arrest, the couple released a joint statement through a public relations firm describing the incident as a “misunderstanding” and asking to handle it privately. Jacqueline also appeared in a televised interview sitting beside Ted. “At no time did Ted ever hit me, did he ever hurt me,” she said. “He’s the most gentle, loving, respectful man I know.”4South Coast Today. Assault Charges Dropped Against Ex-Patriots Player
In a separate statement, Jacqueline took personal responsibility for the chain of events. “I take responsibility for this,” she said, characterizing her call to police as “emotional” and “irresponsible.” She added, “It breaks my heart to think that I would be responsible with one emotional, irresponsible call in destroying this beautiful man’s reputation.” She also said she had never felt she was in danger during the incident.5Sun Journal. Johnson’s Wife at Fault
How the Charges Were Dropped
On October 3, 2006, Waltham District Court Judge Tobin Harvey dismissed the assault and battery charges against both Ted and Jacqueline. Prosecutors told the court they could not proceed because both spouses had asserted their marital privilege and refused to testify against each other. Without that testimony, the state lacked sufficient evidence to continue the case.4South Coast Today. Assault Charges Dropped Against Ex-Patriots Player
Marital privilege, in Massachusetts and in many other states, allows a spouse to decline to testify against the other in a criminal proceeding. When the only witness to an alleged incident is the other spouse, invoking the privilege can effectively end the prosecution’s case.
The Divorce and What Followed
The Johnsons divorced late in 2006, not long after the charges were dismissed. Jacqueline retained custody of their two children, Samantha and Charlie. The divorce was finalized while Ted was in the process of detoxing from his stimulant dependency.15280. This Is Ted Johnson’s Brain
Ted’s life after the split was difficult. He spent a period living largely in seclusion in a rented residence and at the Ritz-Carlton in Boston while still using amphetamines. He checked into McLean Hospital in 2006 and later entered Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in August 2008 under the care of Dr. Heechin Chae, where he stopped using stimulants and began a structured daily routine.15280. This Is Ted Johnson’s Brain
The available reporting on Jacqueline centers on the 2006 arrest, her public statements, and the divorce; her life afterward has not been publicly documented in the same way.