Recent developments have surfaced regarding the serious allegations against Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. who was arrested on Monday for an alleged assault on his girlfriend, ex-WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick.
The incident reportedly took place at the Millennium Hilton New York Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Porter’s defense team is now urging the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to dismiss a second-degree assault charge after new information came to light regarding Gondrezick’s injuries.
Earlier reports suggested that Gondrezick sustained a fractured vertebra during the alleged assault, a detail cited in the initial criminal complaint. However, the New York Post further revealed that the fracture was a pre-existing congenital defect, not a result of the alleged altercation.
REPORT: Kevin Porter Jr. is asking the District Attorney’s Office to drop second-degree assault charges after new evidence proves he didn’t break his girlfriend, Kysre’s neck.
(via @nypost, https://t.co/Fajc1helYz) pic.twitter.com/3TxEfRfRBx
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 16, 2023
The District Attorney’s office has acknowledged this new piece of information, though official spokesperson Emily Tuttle chose not to make any further comments citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Kevin Porter Jr. could be shoved out of the Houston Rockets
Despite the request to drop the second-degree assault charge, Porter still faces significant legal challenges ahead. The athlete is charged with additional counts of second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault, which if proven, could lead to a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
The legal representative of Gondrezick, Robert Hantman, has yet to respond to recent media inquiries. In previous communications with the press, Hantman had mentioned that there were some “misleading and inaccurate” details circulating about Gondrezick’s involvement in the case. It was also noted that Gondrezick has not issued any statement to the law enforcement agencies so far.
Porter, whose career has been ruined by this incident, was released on a $75,000 bail on Tuesday. According to the criminal complaint, the altercation involved Porter allegedly punching Gondrezick multiple times and applying considerable force to her neck, causing noticeable injuries and difficulty in breathing.
Currently signed to a contract worth $63.4 million with the Rockets, the Seattle-born pro basketball player finds his career at a turning point. There are reports that the Rockets are considering trading Porter due to the allegations, casting a shadow on his future with the team.
As the story develops, all eyes are on the Manhattan DA’s office to see how they proceed with the charges against Porter, and whether the recent information will have any impact on the future trajectory of this case.