No contest
Sprewell cops plea in reckless driving case
Posted: Monday July 27, 1998 11:11 PM
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Sprewell agreed to plead no contest in order to put the case behind him AP |
MARTINEZ, California (AP) -- Latrell Sprewell was sentenced to three months of home detention Monday after pleading no contest to a reckless driving charge.
Sprewell, who was originally suspended for one year and had his $24 million contract terminated by the Golden State Warriors last season for choking coach P.J. Carlesimo, also was placed on two years probation, fined $1,000 and ordered not to have a gun in his possession.
Sprewell, who could have been sentenced to six months in jail, told KGO-TV he agreed to plead no contest in order to put the case behind him.
"It's just been unfortunate," Sprewell said. "I'm just trying to move on. It seems like every day it's something new again."
Sprewell swerved out of an exit-only lane on a Walnut Creek freeway on March 1 and struck another car, injuring a couple.
The couple has said they intend to sue Sprewell in civil court.
Defense attorneys suggested the plea bargain to avoid gavel-to-gavel coverage on Court TV. Jury selection was to have begun Tuesday.
Last week, Municipal Court Judge Bruce Mills allowed Court TV's request to televise the trial as long as it did not interfere with the proceedings. However, because the charges were misdemeanor, Sprewell would not have been required to attend the trial.
It was not immediately known when Sprewell's home detention would begin, which will involve an electronic ankle monitoring device. He has moved from Northern California to Milwaukee, the Contra Costa Times said.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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