McKINNEY, Texas (AP) - The recent arrest of the estranged wife of Deion Sanders following accusations that she attacked the Hall of Fame cornerback was "a complete setup," the woman's attorney in their tumultuous divorce case said Thursday.
Pilar Sanders was arrested April 23 at the couple's home in Prosper, north of Dallas. Deion Sanders filed for divorce in December, but the pair still shared the home until the woman's arrest.
The former NFL star and Pilar Sanders both appeared in a Collin County court for a hearing in their battle over custody of their three children and who will keep their $5.7 million home.
Larry Friedman, an attorney for Pilar Sanders, accused her husband of repeatedly calling Prosper police until they arrested her. The attorney also said Deion Sanders violated a gag order in the case by doing TV interviews and posting updates on Twitter.
"He can do anything he wants, anytime he wants to anybody he wants because he's `Prime Time,"' Friedman said, referring to Deion Sanders' nickname from his playing days.
Rick Robertson, Deion Sanders' attorney, said Pilar Sanders has failed to take their children to school on time and has "been physically abusive" to them.
"His children are one of the main reasons he's here," Robertson said of his client. "His role of father exceeds the role of most fathers."
Jeffery Shore, an attorney for the children, ages 12, 10 and 8, said they are struggling in school and need counseling.
"They live in a combat zone," Shore said.
Prosper police were called to the Sanders home last month and arrested Pilar Sanders on a misdemeanor assault charge. Police later charged Deion Sanders with the same offense, but said his charge didn't warrant an arrest.
Deion Sanders tweeted that she attacked him, and he even posted a photo of his children filling out police reports. He later removed the photo.
