A Charlotte Hornets basketball player pleaded guilty to a domestic violence case on Wednesday in East Lansing, Michigan.
Forward Jeff Taylor pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence and malicious destruction of property, according to court reports and multiple media outlets.
Taylor allegedly pushed his girlfriend into a wall at the Marriott Hotel in East Lansing, MI on Sept. 25. Police were called to the scene and Taylor was arrested. A day later, Taylor was banned from Hornets team activities.
Taylor’s plea comes just hours before the Hornets’ opening season on Wednesday night.
Although the team has declined to make any statements on the plea, NBA Spokesman Mike Bass said in an official statement:
“We are aware of Jeffery Taylor’s plea today. The NBA’s investigation of the matter is continuing.”
Michael Jordan, the Hornets team owner, has also been made fully aware of the plea and says the team will follow the NBA’s lead in determining Taylor’s punishment.
“We’ll have conversations with the league and follow on the heels of that,” Jordan said. “When it happened we did all the due diligences. We felt it necessary that Jeffrey step away from the team and deal with the legal situation. … We looked to take the necessary steps to prevent it and to deal with it.”
If found guilty, Taylor could face up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
SOURCE: The Charlotte Observer | PHOTO CREDIT: Police Department
