U.S. Basketball Star Griner Admits Russian Drugs Charge In A Moscow Courtroom

 

Daily Mail: WNBA star Brittney Griner pleads GUILTY to drug charges at trial in Russia and now faces 10 years in prison: Tells judge 'I didn't want to break the law' and clutches photo of her wife 

* WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges and now faces up to 10 years in a Russian prison 

* She told the judge: 'I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law' 

* Griner's legal plea could be a defense strategy. Russian criminal trials are notoriously difficult for defendants, and experts have speculated that Griner could face retribution from authorities if she were to plead innocent 

* Griner was arrested in February after she was allegedly caught carrying two vape cartridges with cannabis oil in them at a Moscow airport. Since then, her supporters have pressured Joe Biden to negotiate her release 

* Griner is considered by the US to be wrongfully detained amid tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine 

* Griner has been in custody since her arrest. A Russian judge has extended her detention until December 20 

* On Wednesday, Reverend Al Sharpton promised to make the trip to Moscow to visit her behind bars 

WNBA star Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug charges and now faces up to 10 years in a Russian prison. 

 At Griner's hearing on Thursday, the 6-foot-9 center was led into the courtroom handcuffed and dressed in a red t-shirt with red pants. 

She was also seen clutching a water bottle as well as a printed photo of her wife, Cherelle Griner. 

 'I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law,' Griner said, speaking English which was then translated into Russian for the court, according to a Reuters journalist in the courtroom.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: U.S. basketball star Griner admits Russian drugs charge but denies intent (Reuters)  

Update #2: Brittney Griner 'decided to take full responsibility for her actions' with guilty plea, legal team says (FOX News)  

WNU Editor: She is in trouble. Pleading basic ignorance is no defense, even in a Russian courtroom. 

This is also impacting U.S. Russian relations during a time when relations between the two countries are now rock bottom .... U.S. athlete's guilty plea will not impact release talks with Russia, White House says (Reuters). 

Update #3: Oh oh. This is now becoming political within the U.S. .... Family of imprisoned Paul Whelan says they are 'astonished' Biden called the wife of Brittney Griner but not them while he remains detained in Russia (Daily Mail).