blogged by @baetoven_
Jurors began deliberations in the assault case involving NBA players Marcus and Markieff Morris, and the final defendant, Gerald Bowman, after hearing closing arguments from their attorneys. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The brothers are accused of beating Erik Hood, along with three others, on Jan. 24, 2015, outside a high school basketball game in Phoenix. Hood, who has known the Morris brothers since they were AAU players, testified that his relationship with them fizzled because of a misinterpreted text message he sent their mother. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Defense attorney James Belanger, told jurors the case is tainted by Hood’s mentor, who tried to solicit two witnesses to implicate the Morris brothers in exchange for money. Defense attorneys also allege that Hood lied to police nine times, by saying both twins were involved in the assault. He later changed his statement to say Markieff wasn’t involved in the beating but had been in the vicinity. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Prosecutor Thomas Bailey, said the brothers “acted like high school bullies on a playground” and argued they had a motive to attack the victim. He also counter-argued Belanger’s defense, saying that Hood’s mentor did not have any effect on the witnesses’ testimony. The witnesses claim that they allegedly broke up the fight and that the Morris brothers were near the school but not as part of the assault. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Two of the other co-defendants have already pleaded guilty to the same assault charges while the Morris brothers and Bowman have plead not guilty. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If convicted, the brothers face the possibilities of probation, prison time and discipline from the NBA, including a minimum 10-game suspension.
