NBA player charged with choking Minneapolis man at ritzy hotel

Gus Ruelas, Associated Press - Ap

Richard Jefferson

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: May 7, 2008 - 1:59 PM

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Party-crashing NBA basketball star Richard Jefferson grabbed a man by the throat in a swanky downtown Minneapolis hotel and choked him until he briefly lost consciousness, according to charges filed today against the New Jersey Nets forward.

Jefferson, 27, is charged with fifth-degree misdemeanor assault. His first court appearance has been scheduled for June 18 in connection with the 1:40 a.m. incident at the Graves Hotel's Infinity bar on Jan. 27.

According to the complaint:

Lyle Fox was having a private birthday party (he turned 28 that morning) at the Graves.

Fox noticed that Jefferson came into the roped-off party area, prompting Fox to ask him to leave.

Jefferson "became very angry," grabbed Fox and threw him onto a bench.

Then the 6-foot-7, 225-pound Jefferson "grabbed the victim by the throat with both hands and began to choke him. The victim went unconscious for a small amount of time."

Police officers called to the hotel detected red marks on the Fox's neck, and the next day Fox saw bruising around his neck and shoulder.

Fox, who is about 9 inches shorter and nearly 60 pounds lighter than Jefferson, has also reported having vocal problems and difficulty swallowing.

Jefferson's attorney, Joe Friedberg of Minneapolis, was not immediately available for comment.

Jefferson, who led the Nets in scoring with 22.6 points per game this past season, was in town for a game that next evening vs. the Timberwolves at the nearby Target Center. Jefferson scored 35 points, and his team lost.

--Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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