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Maricopa County Supreme Court reached a verdict Tuesday afternoon regarding Celtics forward Marcus Morris and Wizards forward Markieff Morris’ assault case. Both Morris twins were found not guilty on all counts of aggravated assault charges.
Jury finds Marcus Morris not guilty of aggravated assault. Significant reasonable doubt from defense witness testimony was insurmountable.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) October 3, 2017
Marcus Morris was traded for Avery Bradley back in July and has yet to join the Celtics for practices and preseason games.
Marcus Morris is expected to rejoin the team in time for Friday’s game in Philadelphia, where he and the victim met.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) October 3, 2017
The case dates back to January of 2015 when Phoenix police alleged that the Morris brothers and three other men assaulted Erik Hood. The alleged assault took place outside a Phoenix recreation center where Hood and the Morris brothers attended a prep basketball tournament. Defense attorney James Belanger argued that the case was tainted by Hood’s mentor trying to solicit witnesses to implicate the Morris brothers for a cash payment in return.
"From the beginning, we had faith in our lawyers," said Marcus Morris, on whether he had any doubts on the outcome of the case
— Robert Gundran (@RobertGundran) October 3, 2017
In a story by Celtics Wire’s Jared Weiss, the most effective testimony was said to come from a video operator at the gymnasium where the assault transpired. The operator saw the assault from afar, and testified that an associate of Hood contacted him and offered compensation if he testified that the Morris twins were involved in the attack.
On his immediate plans, Marcus said, "I'm going to Boston, gonna get back with the team"
— Robert Gundran (@RobertGundran) October 3, 2017
This post will be updated as more information arises.