Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton has been resentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of aggravated assault and voluntary manslaughter charges stemming from the shooting death of Atlanta mother of four Julian Jones in August 2011. While Crittenton was originally sentenced to 23 years in prison back in 2015, the new sentence could result in his immediate release from prison.
Background of the Case
Crittenton, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007, played for several other NBA teams throughout his career including the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. However, he gained notoriety in December 2009 when he and then-teammate Gilbert Arenas were suspended for bringing guns into the locker room. The incident drew national attention and ultimately led to both players being charged with weapons offenses.
However, it was a separate incident just over a year later that landed Crittenton behind bars after he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with Jones’ death. According to reports, Crittenton and his cousin were targeting a man they believed had robbed them when shots were fired at a group of people outside Jones’ home. Unfortunately, Jones was hit by one of the bullets and died shortly thereafter.
New Sentence and Controversy
Fast forward six years later and Crittenton’s sentence has been modified, potentially leading to his early release from prison. The new sentence handed down to him includes twenty years for voluntary manslaughter with ten years served and credit given for time already served since his arrest and conviction. In addition, he was given twenty years on probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon to be served following his manslaughter sentence.
As part of his parole agreement, Crittenton must fulfill several special conditions which include 7,200 hours of community service during the first ten years of his probation with a focus on speaking at community organizations to educate young people about the negative effects of gangs, drugs, and guns which can lead to violence. Additionally, he must work to prevent youth involvement in gangs and violence through community outreach while also speaking truthfully and openly about his experiences with gangs as well as about his time in prison.
However, not everyone is happy with the new sentence or agreement. At Thursday’s hearing, Jones’ mother and boyfriend spoke out against the decision, expressing their grief over her death and their opposition to Crittenton’s potential release from prison. Furthermore, it has been reported that the Fulton County District Attorney’s office is seeking to rescind the new sentence entirely and are in fact asking for a special prosecutor to be appointed to the case.
Final Thoughts
At this point in time, it remains unclear what will happen to Crittenton moving forward or how his case will ultimately play out. While he may be released from prison as early as next week, it is possible that his new sentence could be revoked entirely if the DA’s office has its way. Regardless of how things turn out, however, one thing is clear: Julian Jones’ tragic death will continue to have lasting impacts for years to come.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
