A judge ruled that the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant acted in self-defense when he hit a 17-year-old boy during a basketball game at his home in Memphis.
In a victory for I Moranta Tennessee judge ruled Monday that Memphis Grizzlies superstar acted fairly in self-defense when he punched a teenager in his home in July 2022according to a court filing obtained by ESPN.
The ruling comes after a civil immunity hearing held in December 2023 in Memphis, where Morant testified that he “hit first” Joshua Holloway, then 17, “to protect me” during an altercation that led Holloway to file a lawsuit in September 2022 accusing Morant of aggression.
A Tennessee judge ruled that Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant acted in self-defense when he punched a teenager at his home in July 2022. AP
The altercation occurred during a pickup basketball game. Holloway, reportedly frustrated by losing several games, was accused of throwing a one-handed pass to Morant during a ‘check-ball’ situation.
The ball hit Morant in the face, after which Morant He said that Holloway took a step towards him, after which Morant He stepped forward and punched Holloway.
After that blow, the friend of Morant, Davonte Pack, punched Holloway, an act for which Pack was later arrested for misdemeanor battery. The charge against Pack was later dismissed.
In Monday’s filing, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Carol Chumney ruled that Morant “enjoys a presumption of civil immunity” under Tennessee’s self-defense immunity statute and that the burden of proof is on Holloway and his legal team to show that Morant He did not act in self-defense.
The trial was scheduled to begin in late April but is expected to continue until a later date.
“We are disappointed and will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to protect and defend Joshua,” Rebecca Adelman, Holloway’s attorney, told ESPN.
The lawyers of Morant They did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
2024-04-09 17:43:37
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