Kevin Porter Jr., who remains under contract with Houston despite team leadership stating he cannot be present with the Rockets, rejected a plea deal in connection with his September arrest in New York. Porter was arrested for allegedly assaulting and strangling his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick.
In a mandatory court appearance on Monday, Mirah Curzer — an assistant district attorney in Manhattan — said prosecutors were tossing out a charge of second-degree assault against Porter due to insufficient evidence. According to reports, Gondrezick has a congenital defect that was mistaken for a cracked neck vertebra.
However, Porter still faces charges of second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault. The New York Post reports Porter would still face a maximum sentence of seven years behind bars, if convicted on the strangulation charge.
“The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office offered a plea deal on the lower third-degree assault charge — with the condition Porter undergo counseling — but he rejected the offer, Curzer told the judge,” according to the New York Post report.
Porter is due back in court on Nov. 27 as the case progresses. It remains unclear if and/or when the Rockets will ultimately trade or waive Porter, but it appears he is no longer welcome with the team.
[lawrence-related id=116804,116584]
Don't let the headline fool you. While the most significant charge (second-degree assault) was dropped, KPJ is still being charged with second-degree strangulation & third-degree assault.
No plea deal was agreed to. His next court date is November 27. https://t.co/cLo4feJ9zo
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) October 16, 2023