Brittney Griner has pled guilty to drug possession and smuggling charges in a Russian court. Speaking to the judge Griner said, “I’d like to plead guilty, your honor, but there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law.”
https://youtu.be/Jr1HzJY1KT0
Griner spoke in English and it was translated to the court. She went on to say, “I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.”Oddly, the plea comes just a day after President Biden said he was stepping up efforts to win her release. Griner faces up to 10 years in prison. Her next hearing is set for July 14.The WNBA superstar was seen walking into a Moscow courtroom Thursday morning prominently carrying a picture of her wife Cherelle Griner, as well as a photo of Brittney holding a basketball.
It appeared as though Brittney wanted to be sure cameras captured her holding the pics … as she held them out and looked directly at the press cameras as she made her way inside.Brittany is clearly sending a message that comes just one day after both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Cherelle about Brittney’s case.White House officials said Biden and Harris assured Cherelle that they’re pursuing “every avenue to bring Brittney home” and promised that they’re “working to secure Brittney’s release as soon as possible.”Cherelle said in a statement shortly after the call she was “grateful” for the U.S. officials’ contact … but added at a rally for Brittney at the Footprint Center in Phoenix hours later that she “honestly can’t rest until” Brittney is back on U.S. soil.Brittney is facing up to 10 years in a Russian prison after being accused of having drugs in her luggage at a Moscow airport back in mid-February.