The ongoing legal case involving Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant will extend into his third year as the court case surrounding his involvement in an altercation with a teenager during a 2022 basketball game is now set to continue through 2025. The case, originally filed in September 2022, has been marked by numerous delays, lawyer changes and a series of court motions.
The altercation occurred at Morant’s home in Eads, Tennessee, during a game where tensions escalated, leading to a physical confrontation between Morant and then-high school player Joshua Holloway.
Holloway allegedly hit Morant in the face with a basketball, prompting Morant to respond with a punch. Morant’s defense maintained that the punch was an act of self-defense, claiming Holloway was in a “fighting stance.”
Ja Morant x Zach Edey 🔥
(via @shotbynie) pic.twitter.com/pEmd5t5tFm
— NBA Buzz (@FrontcourtBuzz) August 24, 2024
At a crucial hearing in December 2023, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Carol Chumney ruled that Morant would be allowed to argue self-defense, noting that witness testimony characterized Morant’s punch as a “chin strike” rather than a violent blow.
Judge Chumney noted that Holloway did not appear visibly injured or disoriented after the shooting and was able to drive home, supporting Morant’s claim.
In April 2024, Holloway’s legal team underwent significant changes, with his former attorneys stepping down due to a conflict of interest, leading to the hiring of Stephen Leffler. Leffler, who also represents former Memphis police officer Tyre Nichols in the civil case, requested additional time to familiarize himself with the case.
The next court hearing is scheduled for November 22, 2024, at which time new evidence may be presented. The second phase of the immunity hearing, in which Holloway’s legal team will challenge Morant’s claim of self-defense, is scheduled to begin on January 7, 2025.
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