Nets star being investigated for allegedly choking Minneapolis bar patron

Star Tribune

Last update: February 15, 2008 - 4:20 PM

A prominent celebrity website is reporting that a New Jersey Nets basketball player choked a Minneapolis bar patron at a posh downtown hotel, and police said today that they are investigating the incident.

The altercation involving forward Richard Jefferson occurred about 1:40 a.m. Jan. 27 at Infinity, a bar at the Graves/601 Hotel. That next evening, the Nets lost to the Timberwolves at the nearby Target Center. Jefferson scored 35 points.

According to the hotel incident report, posted at www.tmz.com, the website for the nationally syndicated television show "TMZ":

Jefferson, 27, and fellow bar patron Lyle Fox, who turned 28 that morning, were arguing. A moment later, Jefferson was on top of Fox with both hands on his neck and appeared to be choking Fox, said witness and club employee Dan Graves.

Jefferson quickly left the club, at which point Graves tried to stop him "so they could all figure out what had happened."

At that time, Jefferson, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 220 pounds, vs. Fox's 5-10, 168, then threatened to assault Graves.

Graves spoke with Fox, who said he didn't want to involve police. Fox, when contacted by the Star Tribune, declined to comment.

Benjamin J. Graves, president of Graves Hotels Resorts, told the Associated Press, "Our security handled it very efficiently and very, very well."

TMZ says police are investigating Jefferson for possible charges of "assault with significant bodily harm."

PAUL WALSH