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The 6’9″ center for the Phoenix Mercury and basketball star, Brittney Griner, was detained. She has been in the custody of Russia since February 17, 2022. On Tuesday, she and her legal team appeared in court to make an attempt to defend her case by presenting information regarding how she uses cannabis for medical purposes; nevertheless, if they are unsuccessful, she might receive a 10-year prison sentence.
The hearing on Tuesday lasted only around 40 minutes. The basketball player could be seen in the courtroom behind a steel cage, according to Good Morning America. During the hearing, the court heard from a Narcology expert from the WNBA stars’ lawyers, in an attempt to explain that medical cannabis is commonly used among athletes.
According to ABC, Britney’s legal team had this to say “Brittney sets an example of being brave. She decided to take full responsibility for her actions as she knows that she is a role model for many people.”
Considering the nature of the star’s case, the insignificant amount of the substance, and Griner’s personality — along with the history of positive contributions to global and Russian sport — the defense hopes that the court will consider a plea and there will be no severe sentence.
In a letter, she asks President Joe Biden not to forget about her. It was delivered to the White House earlier this month. She wrote, “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”
Griner is hoping to be released soon — which might happen now that Biden signed an executive order to assist with the unjustified detention of American citizens with the ultimate goal of bringing them back home.
Written By Dylan Santoyo
Edited by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
CNN: Brittney Griner to testify at trial in Russia, lawyers say
GMA: Brittney Griner shares message to wife as WNBA star’s drug trial in Russia resumes
NYPOST: US basketball star Brittney Griner’s drawn-out drug trial in Russia resumes
PEOPLE: Brittney Griner Appears in Court Tuesday, Expert Testifies Medicinal Uses of Cannabis
Images Courtesy of Lorie Shaull‘s Flickr page – Creative Commons License