In news just in, WNBA star Brittney Griner has been found guilty of smuggling drugs by a Russian court.
Full story below…
The Olympic medalist has been the subject of international discourse after being arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of marijuana oil in Moscow.
For six months, the 31-year-old has been held in a Russian jail.
Now, after the culmination of her trial and Griner insisting she did carry out the crime intentionally, she’s been convicted of smuggling drugs with criminal intent.
During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that Griner ought to serve 10 years.
Moments ago, she was officially sentenced to 9 years.
Speaking at the hearing, the basketball player emotionally said:
“I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here. I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling that it doesn’t end my life here. I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom.
I want to say again that I had no intent on breaking any Russian laws. I had no intent. I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime.”