Breaking news out of Russia as WNBA star Brittney Griner has pled guilty to drug charges.
Griner, detained in Russia since February, pled guilty to bringing hashish oil into Russia. She told the judge that she did so “inadvertently” while requesting mercy from the court.
According to ESPN, this does not mean her trial is over. Instead, it will likely continue on.
Griner’s ordeal began in February when she was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.
She informed the court that she accidentally packed the vape cartridges in her bag and did not mean to break Russian law.
“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” said Griner to the judge, according to Reuters.
She faces 10 years in prison for the crime, which many are calling theatrics and a back and forth between Russia and the U.S.
The U.S. stated that Griner was “wrongfully detained” and Russia responded by claiming the U.S. was politicizing the process and then ultimately extending her detention twice.
Thursday was day 2 of her trial, and sources are saying that this was expected.
ESPN is quoting these sources as saying that the guilty plea could help facilitate a prisoner swap between the two countries, particularly because it appeared that her acquittal wasn’t going to happen.
We’ll keep you updated on this developing story.
This content has been brought to you by First and Pen in partnership with ShineMyCrown. First and Pen “amplifies local sports stories from voices of color to the national conscience…”
Follow @FirstandPen on Twitter.
