Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia.
News sources reports Brittney said, “I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law.” In addition, she told the court she packed her bags in a hurry and unintentionally brought them. Her next hearing is July 14.
Will Joe Biden be able to get BG released? As of now, it’s not clear. Last week, Brittney wrote a letter begging for Biden’s help. He recently responded to BG and her wife, and said he said he’s “working to secure Brittney’s release soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other US nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world.”
TIME reports accessing to Biden, a deal with Russia to bring Griner home could be made, which would include a “prisoner swap.” Details aren’t public as of yet.
Yesterday (June 6), we reported, that Brittney’s coach, Vanessa Nygaard, spoke to reporters about BG being detained. She said it’s more challenging getting Brittney back on American land since BG is a woman, LGBTQ+, and BLACK.
Vanessa told reporters, “If it was LeBron, he’d be home, right?” She continued, “It’s a statement about the value of women. It’s a statement about the value of a Black person. It’s a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things. We know it, and so that’s what hurts a little more.”
Russian authorities accused Brittney of smuggling cannabis oil in her luggage, and she’s been detained since February. Brittney is “terrified” she may be in Russia “forever.”
Photos: WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession and smuggling during her trial near Moscow but said she had no intention of committing a crime, Russian news agencies reported.https://t.co/qHQtx2nePk
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) July 7, 2022
Brittney must remain in jail overseas for six additional months as her case goes on. She’s facing 10 years. We’ll keep you updated on the story as more details become available.