Blake Griffin Charged with Battery: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Mia Lopez Los Angeles Clippers star forward Blake Griffin has been charged with one count of battery after reportedly slapping a man in Las Vegas last month.
Griffin is set for a January court date.
Continue for updates.
Monday Dec. 8
Griffin Has January Court Date
John M. Glionna of the Los Angeles Times reported on the legal proceedings for Blake Griffin:
The lawyer for Los Angeles Clippers star forward Blake Griffin on Monday told a Las Vegas judge that he has completed his investigation of a man’s claim that Griffin assaulted him inside a nightclub on the Strip.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Pro Tem William Jansen set a Jan. 12 status check in the misdemeanor battery case. That hearing will be the next step in determining whether Griffin will face trial on the charge.
“I told the court that I had been talking to the prosecuting attorney and we agreed to set a date for the status check,” Griffin’s attorney, Richard Schonfeld, told the Los Angeles Times. “I have completed my independent investigation and will be prepared to present it to the court.”
Thursday, Nov. 13
Griffin Comments on Charges
Blake Griffin made his first comments since being charged with battery, via Arash Markazi of ESPN:
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkaziBlake Griffin on Vegas charge: "I'm not allowed to speak on that but I'm very confident in the situation once I can I will."
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkaziGriffin: "It's not scary. I feel more bad just for the fact that it's a distraction."
Security Footage Reportedly Shows Griffin Confrontation
TMZ.com reported that security footage of the confrontation between Blake Griffin and his accuser exists:
Investigators in the Blake Griffin pimp slap case have obtained nightclub security footage which shows a confrontation between the NBA star and his accuser ... TMZ Sports has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us ... the footage from Tao nightclub in Vegas shows Blake and his accuser Daniel Schuman in a heated situation -- but we're told the alleged slap was not captured by the security cameras.
Wednesday, Nov. 12
Clippers star forward Blake Griffin faces some potential legal trouble, after being charged with one count of battery on Wednesday.
It is a misdemeanor charge, according to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times:
Ben Bolch @latbbolchClark County D.A.'s office confirms Blake Griffin has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery related to nightclub incident.
Bolch also reported on what is being alleged and the potential penalty Griffin could face if found guilty:
Ben Bolch @latbbolchCourt case alleges Blake Griffin battered DANIEL SCHUMAN by squeezing his hand and shoulder and/or slapping him on the face.
Ben Bolch @latbbolchA Nevada misdemeanor battery crime with no substantial bodily harm can carry six months of jail and/or a $1,000 fine or community service.
The Los Angeles Times' Ryan Parker confirmed the news and relayed Griffin's court date:
Ryan Parker @TheRyanParkerClippers' Blake Griffin officially charged with battery stemming from alleged incident outside a Las Vegas club. Court date set for Dec. 8.
In late October at Tao Nightclub, Griffin allegedly slapped the victim and grabbed him by the neck due to an incident involving a camera, according to TMZ. He faces six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Depending on how the December trial goes, the NBA will also likely come down with a punishment, although it's unclear whether that will be a suspension or fine.
Griffin, 25, is averaging 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest for the Clippers.