Atlanta Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha found not guilty

Atlanta Hawks guard Thabo Sefolosha was found not guilty on three charges in New York this morning.

Atlanta Hawks Thabo Sefolosha fought the law and won. Sefolosha was found not guilty on three charges this morning that stemmed from an arrest in April that left him with a broken tibia and strained ligaments, according to Robert Silverman.

Sefolosha denied a plea deal that would have given him a day of community service and six months of probation and instead pursued the matter in court. His defense against the charges of resisting arrest, obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct was that he was provoked and targeted.

His defense against the charges of resisting arrest, obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct was that he was provoked and targeted.

The incident began in April when Sefolosha and teammate Pero Antic were asked to leave the crime scene of a stabbing. Police officers say that Sefolosha then became an aggressor, though Sefolosha said he and Antic were followed back to their hotel, more than 120 feet away from the crime scene. Sefolosha is reported to have asked the officer, “what his problem was,” and was subsequently arrested for the previously mentioned charges.

The injury Sefolosha suffered from the arrest kept him out for the season. This case brought racial connotations as the national discussion has been focused around police and their use of racial profiling and excessive force.

It is expected that the verdict Sefolosha received today will set him up to file a civil suit against the NYPD.

Sefolosha is currently considered probable for the start of the Atlanta Hawks training camp. Their regular season begins on Oct. 27 against the Detroit Pistons.

(H/T) NBCSports