Hoopster Barnes fesses club brawl, gets no jail
HOT-HEADED Golden State Warriors forward Matt Barnes enjoyed a pretty good June: A ring on the basketball court and a nojail plea deal in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Two weeks after his team became world champions, Barnes pleaded guilty Tuesday to disorderly conduct for his part in a Manhattan nightclub melee last December.
Barnes, 37, received a 10-day community service sentence on the reduced charge. The 6-foot-7 Barnes ignored reporters on his way out — although he paused for selfies with some fans outside the courthouse.
He was initially accused of assault and obstruction of justice after the Dec. 5 melee inside Avenue, a Chelsea nightclub where he was hanging out with ex-teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
Prosecutor David Quinn said Barnes was offered a deal based on a review of video evidence and interviews with witnesses.
The typically trash-talking forward was extremely cordial during his exchange with sentencing Judge Gerianne Abriano.
“The understanding is, you will perform 10 days private community service in California and will otherwise lead a law-abiding life?” asked Abriano.
“Yes,” replied Barnes during the Manhattan Criminal Court hearing.
Defense attorney Alex Spiro said Barnes will do his community service work in the juvenile justice system.
“As we asserted from the beginning, Mr. Barnes didn’t injure anyone,” said Spiro. “He was cleared of criminal charges and agreed to accept responsibility for his minor role in the incident.”
Jasmine Besiso, 26, claimed Barnes was choking a woman at another table when she got up to leave the chic club’s VIP section. At that point, Barnes allegedly grabbed her neck and began choking Besiso until she lost consciousness.
Besiso’s boyfriend Myrone Powell, 35, was sucker-punched in the head as he rushed to her aid. The couple is suing the two players.
Barnes and Cousins fled the club before the police arrived. Cousins was never accused of anything in connection with the incident.
The case was delayed until after the NBA Finals, where Golden State won the title in five games over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors reserve made October 2015 headlines after trading punches with fired Knicks coach Derek Fisher in a fight over Barnes’ ex-wife Gloria Govan.
Barnes took exception to Fisher’s dating his former spouse, and reportedly punched the since-dismissed coach in the mouth to ignite a brawl.