Baylor Ex Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty, Say Russian Reports
Former Baylor Bear and WNBA superstar Brittney Griner plead guilty to her charges of large-scale transportation of drugs in Russia on Thursday.
Griner's guilty plea also included an ask for mercy from the judge, with Griner claiming that, while she did commit the crime, she did so inadvertently.
"I'd like to plead guilty, your honor," Griner said to the court, per ESPN. "But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law."
Griner has been in detainment in Russia for over 130 days, following an arrest at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow.
Griner was allegedly found to be in possession of cannabis oil vape cartridges and could spend up to as many as 10 years in a Russian prison if convicted.
According to ESPN insider TJ Quinn, Griner's guilty plea was made in hopes that it would facilitate a swap for a Russian prisoner in American custody.
United States President Joe Biden was also recently in contact with Griner's wife, Cherelle, on Wednesday, assuring her that he is working to bring the former Baylor star home.
"The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney's release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other US nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world," the White House said. "He also read her a draft of the letter the President is sending to Brittney Griner today."
Griner also recently wrote a letter to President Biden, expressing her fear, and hope that Biden will help her find her way home.
"As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever," Griner wrote in a letter obtained by CNN. "I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home," she wrote.
You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan
Want the latest in breaking and insider news for the Baylor Bears? Click Here
Follow Inside the Bears on Twitter
Follow Inside the Bears on Facebook
Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of InsideTheBears.com, TheGroveReport.com, RamDigest.com, AllSeahawks.com, and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com