EMCE
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| Quote : | "Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest was sentenced to 20 days in jail, 100 hours of community service, anger management and fathering courses and three years of searchable probation, the Sacramento Bee reported on its web site Thursday.
Artest, however, is unlikely to spend any more time in jail, the newspaper reported. Ten days of the sentence were stayed by the judge and Artest can apply to serve the other 10 days in a work release or similar program.
Artest first became a household name when he was suspended 73 games for his role in the Palace Brawl in Detroit in 2004. ( / Getty Images)
There were conflicting reports regarding the specifics of Artest's sentence.
The Associated Press reported that Artest did not receive jail time as part of his sentence, but that he agreed to 20 days of a work project with 10 days of that suspended.
Sacramento's NBC affiliate, however, confirmed the Bee's report, saying that Artest did receive 20 days of jail time, but if he completes his community service and classes, he will not have to actually serve any time behind bars.
The sentence is resultant of domestic violence charges involving Artest and his wife, Kimsha. Artest's lawyer told Judge Frances Kearney on Thursday that the All-Star forward had reached a resolution with the Placer County District Attorney's office, the Bee reported. Under the agreement, Artest entered a no-contest plea to one misdemeanor count of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse.
Also as part of the agreement, three related misdemeanor charges were dismissed, with the stipulation that the judge could consider them when determining a sentence. The restraining order that was imposed on Artest after his arrest was lifted by the judge, but she cautioned that he still is limited to peaceful contact.
"You may have contact, but it must be peaceful at all times," Kearney said.
Artest cannot possess any firearms or other deadly weapons, the newspaper reported, and is subject to search and seizure at all times during his three-year probation.
According to AP, the details of the work project and community service will be determined by a probation officer in consultation with the sheriff department. The judge ordered Artest to provide evidence that he had complied with the order to meet with the county officials by June 25.
Artest is selling his Loomis home after a series of problems there since he joined the Kings in January 2006.
Kimsha Artest told a sheriff's dispatcher on March 5 that her finger was cut and her leg scratched during an altercation with her husband. She said he shoved her to the ground, slapped her and prevented her from making a 911 call.
She also said she broke the windshield of the family's Hummer as Artest tried to drive away from the property, according to a recording of her call released by the sheriff's department.
Sheriff's deputies previously had been summoned to at least two other domestic disturbances at Artest's home, among the five times they responded to 911 calls there since last August.
Animal services officers seized Artest's Great Dane, named Socks, in February after weeks of complaints from neighbors that the dog appeared to be starving.
Placer County Deputy District Attorney Jeff Wilson announced last week that there was insufficient evidence to charge either Artest or his wife with animal cruelty or neglect.
Artest signed with the Kings for $7.1 million this season and $7.8 million in 2007-08, with an $8.45 million player option for the 2008-09 season.
He apologized to his family and his teammates and sat out two games after he was charged in the March incident. He was not suspended from the team, but may face discipline from the league now that his criminal case is settled.
Kings spokesman Troy Hanson said the team was pleased for Artest that the issue was resolved. He said the Kings, who failed to make the playoffs amid infighting and unimpressive play, have no immediate plans to trade Artest, although NBA teams are barred from discussing trades during the playoffs.
Artest came to Sacramento with a troubled past.
He was suspended from the Indiana Pacers for 73 games and lost nearly $5 million in salary after he jumped into the stands and threw punches during a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans in 2004. He and teammate Stephen Jackson were sentenced to one year of probation and 60 hours of community service after pleading no contest to misdemeanor assault charges. " |
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6772148?MSNHPHMA
forgive me if it's old. I searched and didn't find anything 5/3/2007 11:12:43 PM
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