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Lawyers for American WNBA center Brittney Griner have filed an appeal of her nine-year Russian prison sentence for drug possession, Russian news agencies reported Monday, amid talks between the U.S. and Russia that could lead to a high-profile prisoner swap.
Griner, an eight-time All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport.
Griner admitted that she had the canisters in her luggage, but said she inadvertently had packed them in haste and that she had no criminal intent. Her defense team presented written statements that she had been prescribed cannabis to treat pain.
Her February arrest came at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, just days before Russia sent troops into Ukraine. At the time, Griner, recognized as one of the greatest players in WNBA history, was returning to Russia, where she plays during the U.S. league’s offseason.
ELSEWHERE
Talib brother turns
self in over killing
The brother of retired NFL cornerback Aqib Talib turned himself in after police identified him as the suspect in the shooting death of a coach at a youth football game in Texas.
Police said that a murder warrant was issued for Yaqub Salik Talib, 39, in the fatal shooting Saturday night of Michael Hickmon, 43, police in the Dallas-area city of Lancaster said.
According to witnesses, Talib pulled out a gun and shot Hickmon multiple times after a disagreement between the opposing coaching staff of two youth football teams over calls made by the officiating crew led to a physical fight, police said.
Hickmon was pronounced dead at a hospital. Police say no other injuries were reported.
Yaqub Talib is the brother of Aqib Talib, a five-time Pro Bowler who announced his retirement in 2020. Aqib Talib was named last month as a contributor for Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football.”
NFL: The Seattle Seahawks agreed to trade defensive back Ugo Amadi to the Philadelphia Eagles for former Stanford wide receiver/tight end J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Arcega-Whiteside was a second-round selection in 2019 who has 16 career receptions in 40 games.
Golf: British Open champion Cameron Smith pulled out of the BMW Championship with what his manager described as a “hip discomfort” that Smith had been feeling the past few months.
Boxing: Four-time world champion Adrien Broner withdrew from his nationally televised fight against Omar Figueroa on Saturday night, citing mental health. Broner announced his decision on Instagram, apologizing to his fans and asking for prayers.
Soccer: Liverpool overcame the sending-off of Darwin Nuñez for a headbutt on his home debut by salvaging a 1-1 draw against visiting Crystal Palace in the Premier League, thanks to a brilliant goal by Luis Diaz.
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