HARRISON, N.Y. -- Prosecutors are dropping their case
against former NBA player Latrell Sprewell, who was accused of
roughing up his girlfriend in front of their children.
Lucian Chalfen, spokesman for Westchester County District
Attorney Janet DiFiore, said Monday that the case was adjourned in
contemplation of dismissal on Friday, meaning the charges will be
dismissed in a year if Sprewell keeps out of trouble.
An order of protection against Sprewell on behalf of the
girlfriend, Candace Cabbil, remains in effect, Chalfen said.
Sprewell, who played for the Golden State Warriors, the New York
Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, was a four-time All-Star but
is perhaps best known for attacking his Golden State Warriors
coach, P.J. Carlesimo, during a 1997 practice. In 2005, Sprewell
turned down a three-year, $21 million contract extension from
Minnesota and has not played professional basketball since. He
lives in River Hills, Wis.
Sprewell was charged in December 2006 with third-degree assault,
obstructing governmental administration and five counts of
endangering children. The complaint said Sprewell assaulted Cabbil
in their home in the New York City suburb of Purchase and refused
to let in police for 90 minutes.
In May, four of the five endangering children charges were
dropped, and all remaining charges were included in Friday's
adjournment, which was agreed to by Harrison Town Judge Mark Lust.
Sprewell's lawyer, George Bellantoni, said, "This is what
Latrell maintained all along, that there was no merit to the
charges."
Bellantoni said a lawsuit filed in Manhattan by Cabbil had also
been settled. He would not disclose terms.