Ex-NBA Star Javaris Crittenton Arrested for Murder
Former Georgia Tech and Washington Wizards basketball star, Javaris Crittenton surrendered to authorities last night and was arrested in California for charges of shooting to death an Atlanta woman.
Crittenton was arrested at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California as he checked into a Delta Air Lines flight set for Atlanta.
According to the L.A. Times, he is currently being held in a LAPD jail facility and could face a court hearing as early as Wednesday.
Crittenton is facing murder charges for the drive-by shooting death of a Julian Jones, a 22-year-old mother of four.
The incident happened in Atlanta on August 19th, however, it is believed that the bullets that hit Jones where intended for someone else.
Jones was hit outside her Atlanta home when someone in a black Chevrolet Tahoe shot at the group she was reportedly walking with. It is believed that the bullets were intended for a man in the group that had robbed Crittenton of jewelry this past April.
Keith Meadows of the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement, “It appears Mr. Crittenton observed who he thought was the perpetrator walking down the street. It so happens Ms. Jones was walking down the street at the same time.”
Crittenton surrendered yesterday after the FBI obtained a federal arrest warrant for the 23-year-old NBA-star for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Crittenton’s attorney, Brian Steel, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution of Crittenon’s surrender, “Mr. Crittenton wants to clear his name.”
He added. “He’s innocent of the charges.”
Crittenton, who is a native of Georgia, rose to basketball stardom while attending Georgia Tech University. In high school, Crittenton was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and earned a 3.5 GPA.
In NBA career included playing for the L.A. Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Washington Wizards.
His career fizzled after he and another Washington Wizards teammate pulled guns on each other.
