Jail time avoided
Webber cleared of serious charges in connection with traffic stop
Posted: Wednesday December 02, 1998 09:24 PM
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Disrespect intended: Chris Webber admitted to resisting the officer's inquiries AP |
UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland (AP) -- Sacramento Kings forward
Chris Webber
avoided a jail sentence when he was cleared Wednesday of the most serious
charges in connection with a traffic stop.
A Prince George's County circuit court jury found Webber innocent of
possession of marijuana, driving under the influence of the drug, resisting
arrest and second-degree assault.
But he was convicted of failure to display a driver's license on demand,
failure to display a car registration on demand and willful disobedience of
a police officer. Webber was fined $560 for the traffic violations.
"I apologize for ever bringing this matter into court," said Webber. "I
apologize for any mistakes and misjudgments on my part."
In closing arguments, prosecutor Shaem Spencer had said Webber, who
formerly played for Washington, did not respect a police officer's request
during the January 20 traffic stop.
"It escalated because this defendant would not obey, would not get out"
of the car, he said.
Defense lawyer Steven Levy countered that Webber overslept and was in a
hurry to get to practice at the time. The lawyer added that it "flies it
the face of common sense" that his client knew drugs were in his car.
The arrest was one of several off-court matters that prompted the Wizards
to trade Webber to the Kings in May. Among his other lowlights this year:
an accusation in April for sexual assault that was later dropped, a $500
fine paid in August when marijuana was found in his carry-on bag at an
airport in Puerto Rico, and the loss of his sponsorship deal with Fila for
violating a conduct clause.
Webber's lawyers had turned down a plea bargain agreement that also would
have avoided jail time in the current case. Prosecutors said they would
have asked for a jail sentence if Webber was convicted of the more serious
charges.
On the stand, Webber essentially admitted to the lesser charges --
failing to produce a license or registration -- but emphatically denied the
more serious allegations, testifying that he had not used marijuana before
the traffic stop and that he did not smack the arresting officer on the
hand.
"I had to go to work. It's not the time or place," Webber said when he
was asked if he used drugs that day. "Not that any time is the time or
place."
Webber raised his voice passionately when describing the moment he was
hit by pepper spray while sitting in the driver's seat of his sports
utility vehicle.
Webber, who said he was talking to his lawyer on a cellular telephone at
the time, testified he was sprayed three or four times flush in the face.
Officer Raymond Kane testified he sprayed Webber twice, with only one
direct hit to the front of the face, in a struggle that ensued because
Webber would not get out of the Lincoln Navigator.
"It was not one time! It was not one and a half times!" Webber said. "I
remember screaming to my lawyer, 'He's Macing me!' "
Webber was more composed, and even paused for a beat or two, when asked
if he hit Kane on the hand.
"No," Webber said. "The last thing I want to do is be in a position like
this. So, no."
Earlier, Kane testified he was struck by Webber while trying to open the
door to Webber's vehicle. A second witness, a detective backing up Kane at
the traffic stop, said he witnessed Webber assaulting Kane. As for
the marijuana found in the Navigator, the defense implied the drugs were
left there by one of Webber's friends. Webber said he loaned the vehicle to
friends from time to time, and he didn't bother to check its contents
before leaving his house that morning.
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