Marshall Faulk's former girlfriend in court

ST. LOUIS -- The mother of three of Marshall Faulk's children accuses the star running back of beating her. He calls her a liar engaged in "an unfortunate attempt at a money-grab."

Faulk and Helen Dunne are seeking unspecified damages from each other in their dueling lawsuits. The trial began Monday with jury selection and is expected to last up to a week.

No criminal charges were filed against the St. Louis Rams' star, whom Dunne accuses in the lawsuit of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional duress. Dunne also wants punitive damages from Faulk, the NFL's most valuable player in 2000.

Dunne contends Faulk beat her, bit her and blackened her eye during their on-again, off-again relationship that began in 1996 when they met at a party. After a fight in 1999, she told police she was the aggressor and didn't want to press charges.

Faulk's lawyers contend Dunne's claim of domestic abuse is baseless and that she is abusing the legal process by suing Faulk.

"It is our belief that the only victim is Marshall Faulk," lawyer Scott Rosenblum said. "We are confident a jury will agree with us that this is an unfortunate attempt at a money-grab at Mr. Faulk's expense."

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