CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – A Chesterfield personal trainer was a no-show in court today for a status hearing. Instead members of his family showed up in his place.
Craig Kirkpatrick, 40, is charged with misdemeanor unauthorized filming of another and assault.
The family of Kirkpatrick was inside Judge James O'Connell's courtroom Friday morning, in place of the suspect. Kirkpatrick's family said he remains hospitalized after the personal trainer was taken away by paramedics on Tuesday. His sister, Vivian Lingard said he suffered from a cardiovascular health issue and other conditions that may have been caused when Kirkpatrick and a female client of his allegedly ended up in an altercation.
Kirkpatrick claims he’s innocent and said his client assaulted him. He has filed an assault warrant against her.
The woman accusing Kirkpatrick of wrongdoing, said she found a recording device inside the bathroom of his at-home gym. The alleged victim said the personal trainer assaulted her as she tried leaving his home with the recording device.
Kirkpatrick's family traveled from Walterboro, South Carolina to Chesterfield for the hearing. His sister said she only wants her brother to get a fair trial in front of a judge and jury. Instead she feels he is being tried by the court of public opinion.
"My brother he is a victim as well," said Lingard. "She is stating she is a victim as well, he is a victim. So why can't he be treated like a victim as well? Once again, I just want the truth and justice."
Lingard said her brother could be discharged from the hospital as early as Monday.
Because Kirkpatrick was not in court, the judge rescheduled the case for June 7 at 10:30 a.m.
