Bernard’s case continued

SEATTLE – Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard will have a domestic violence charge erased from his record if he complies with a series of stipulations over the next two years, a Seattle Municipal Court judge ruled on Monday.

Bernard pleaded not guilty to a domestic violence assault charge after he was accused of hitting his girlfriend in the head at a Seattle nightclub in April.

Under the court order, the 300-pound lineman must have no contact with the woman for the next two years and must attend domestic violence treatment.

He also must have no other violations and must own no firearms during that period, and must undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Bernard is in the final year of a $13 million, three-year contract extension he signed with the team in 2006.

Another Seahawks player, Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu, is scheduled for an appearance today in court on a drunken driving charge following his arrest last month near the team’s headquarters in suburban Kirkland.