Ja Morant’s defense is playing hard this offseason.
The outcome of a lawsuit against Ja Morant, a basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies, depends on whether he can claim self-defense and seek immunity under Tennessee law.
A judge recently allowed Morant’s lawyers to argue that he acted in self-defense when he punched Joshua Holloway during a pickup game at his home in July 2022.
Morant’s lawyers claim that he should be protected from liability under the state’s “stand your ground” law, which permits individuals to use force when feeling threatened at their homes.
The future of a lawsuit accusing Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant of assaulting a teenager during a pickup basketball game hinges on whether Morant will be allowed to say that he was acting in self defense and can receive immunity under Tennessee law. https://t.co/QYgU6pQH71
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 12, 2023
The next step is to determine if this law can be applied to Morant’s case under the state Constitution, involving lawyers representing the Tennessee Attorney General. Holloway, who was 17 when the lawsuit was filed, accused Morant and his friend Davonte Pack of assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect, and infliction of emotional distress.
Morant countersued Holloway for slander, battery, and assault.
No criminal charges have been brought against Morant so far. The lawsuit has sparked legal debates, including whether the “stand your ground” law is applicable to Morant’s situation. Holloway’s lawyer argues that Morant waived his claim to immunity and that the self-defense argument cannot dismiss the civil case, especially since there is no criminal investigation ongoing. Morant’s lawyer contends that the “stand your ground” law can be relevant to civil cases and that Morant should be granted immunity.
The judge’s decision to allow the immunity claim to continue was disappointing to Holloway’s lawyer, but she was pleased that arguments regarding the constitutional challenge to the law’s application will be heard. The case has been paused by a stay issued by the judge, delaying depositions, evidence exchanges, and other proceedings. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for October 12.
Morant received a 25-game suspension from the NBA for the upcoming season due to a second video showing him with a handgun. The video was posted after he had already served an eight-game suspension for a prior video where he displayed a handgun at a strip club in the Denver area.
Morant expressed apologies for both incidents. A year after the pickup game incident, an arrest warrant was issued for Pack on a misdemeanor assault charge related to the fight.
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