Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha found not guilty of charges in nightclub incident
Atlanta Hawks guard Thabo Sefolosha was found not guilty on Friday of all charges stemming from an incident that occurred outside of a New York nightclub in April.
Following the incident, Sefolosha, 31, was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration, refusing to clear the area of a crime scene, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct following an argument that resulted in the stabbing of Pacers forward Chris Copeland.
Sefolosha sustained a season-ending fibula fracture during his arrest, and later released a statement blaming the NYPD for his injury. He sought full exoneration after prosecutors offered only a conditional dismissal in September.
Sefolosha turned down a plea bargain that would have resulted in the charges being dropped if he did a day of community service and stayed out of trouble for six months, according to The New York Times.
The Hawks forward cited principle as the reason for challenging the charges, because he felt the cops had arrested him for no reason, the Times previously reported.
Former Hawks forward Pero Antic was also charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment for interfering with Sefolosha’s arrest. Antic’s charges were dropped in the September hearing.
Sefolosha averaged 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season before being sidelined by the fibula injury.
•MAHONEY: Gentry leads the Pelicans’ rebirth
- Kayla Lombardo and Xandria James
