Skip to content

Lawyer argues cop targeted Sefolosha because of race

Andrew Kelly / REUTERS

The defense attorney for Atlanta Hawks wing Thabo Sefolosha argued Tuesday that his black client was targeted by a white police officer because of his race during a confrontation outside a Manhattan nightclub in early April.

Sefolosha suffered a season-ending tibia fracture during the incident. He was charged with misdemeanor obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest for the incident. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, refused a plea deal, and was in court for the beginning of his trial Tuesday in New York.

"I don't know what he saw," Alex Spiro told jurors in his opening statements about the officer, JohnPaul Giacona, according to the The Associated Press. "I think he saw a black man in a hoodie."

A prosecutor argued that Sefolosha had acted "entitled and disdainful" to officers, who were attempting to clear a crime scene outside the club following the stabbing of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland.

"The defendant does not think he needs to obey the law," said assistant district attorney Jesse Matthews, according to AP. "He does not like being told what to do."

Spiro reportedly played video surveillance footage for the jurors, showing that there had been people closer to the crime scene tape than Sefolosha and his friends.

A police spokeswoman was quoted after the incident as saying that Sefolosha had charged at an officer when his back was turned, after having been told repeatedly to leave the scene.

Giacona said Tuesday that he didn't know how Sefolosha's leg was injured.

Charges against Sefolosha's then-teammate Pero Antic, who was also involved in the incident, were dropped last month.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox