Texan Basketball Star Brittney Griner Sentenced To 9 Years
Brittney Griner, the famous WNBA basketball player from Texas, has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for assaulting her ex-wife and her ex-wife's friend. Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, was charged with two counts of assault and disorderly conduct after an argument with her wife turned physical. The incident happened in Goodyear, Arizona, where the couple had been living at the time of the assault.
What happened?
According to reports, Griner and her now ex-wife, Glory Johnson, got into an argument on the night of April 22, 2015. The argument escalated and turned physical when Griner threw Johnson's cellphone at her, and Johnson hit Griner with a broomstick. Griner then punched Johnson in the face and threw her to the ground.
When Johnson's friend, then-21-year-old Jessica Nwokocha, tried to intervene, Griner punched her in the face as well. The police were called, and Griner and Johnson were both arrested.
Griner was charged with two counts of assault and disorderly conduct, while Johnson was charged with assault and disorderly conduct. The two women eventually divorced later that year.
During Griner's trial, the prosecution argued that she had a history of violence and that her behavior was unacceptable. The defense argued that Johnson was also responsible for the altercation and that Griner acted in self-defense. However, the jury found Griner guilty of both counts of assault and disorderly conduct.
What does this mean for Griner's career?
Griner's sentence of 9 years in prison is a severe blow to her career. As a professional athlete, she will likely be unable to compete while serving her sentence. Additionally, her reputation has been damaged, and it may be difficult for her to recover from the negative publicity surrounding her case.
Griner is a three-time All-American and the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She is known for her athleticism, her dunking ability, and her dominating presence on the court. She has also been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and has spoken out about her own experiences as a gay athlete.
It is unclear what Griner's future holds, but it is likely that she will face additional consequences from the WNBA and other organizations. The league has a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence and has suspended players in the past for similar offenses.
What can we learn from Griner's case?
The case of Brittney Griner serves as a reminder that domestic violence is a serious crime with serious consequences. No one is above the law, and even professional athletes can face legal repercussions for their actions.
It is also a reminder that domestic violence is a complex issue with many factors at play. While Griner's behavior was unacceptable, it is important to recognize that both parties were involved in the altercation and that there may have been underlying issues that contributed to the violence.
Finally, it is important to support victims of domestic violence and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there are resources available to help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).