WNBA Star Brittney Griner Appears in Russian Court, Criminal Trial Set for July

entered a guilty plea before the court, which analysts believe may have been her best chance at securing an eventual pardon, or at least leniency, given the Russian court system's near-perfect conviction rate.Maria Blagovolina, one of the lawyers representing Griner, said her legal team had presented evidence Friday including «characterization materials, medical records and tax returns.» Among the medical documentation was a doctor's prescription for the substance that Griner admitted bringing into Russia mistakenly as she packed her bags in a rush.  Friday was the fourth hearing in the Phoenix Mercury player's trial. She's facing up to 10 years in prison on drug possession and smuggling charges.

David Nevins, Paramount Premium Group CEO and Chair, is to deliver the annual Edinburgh TV Festival Worldwide Address, as the festival sets panels on football, Ukraine, public broadcasting and true crime featuring Sara Payne, the mother of murdered child Sarah Payne.

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Brittney Griner pleaded guilty in Russia on Thursday to drug possession and smuggling charges, telling a Moscow court she brought marijuana into the country by accident.Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February after Russian officials claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage. A Russian judge ordered Griner, the Phoenix Mercury center who played in Russia during the WNBA off-season, to remain in custody.«I would like to plead guilty on the charges against me, but I had no intention on breaking any Russian law,» she said in court.

Reuters reports. “I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.” Griner has been in Russian custody since February and her next court hearing is set for July 14, per the outlet.

Paul Whelan have said they are “astonished” that US President Joe Biden has not spoken to them personally while he remains detained in Russia. Elizabeth Whelan, the 49-year-old’s sister, said the Biden administration had not spoken with them since May in an interview with CNN on Wednesday. Hours earlier, Mr Biden said he and vice president Kamala Harris had spoken with the wife of the WNBA star Britney Griner amid her trial in Moscow and calls from her supporters for her release.

Brittney Griner's Wife Cherelle Fears She'll 'Never' See Her Again Brittney Griner Pens Letter to President Joe Biden From Russian Prison WNBA's Brittney Griner Appears in Russian Court, Criminal Trial Set

video of a traveler who looked like Griner going through airport security, followed by footage of someone examining a package that appeared to be from a traveler’s bag. Due to Russian laws prohibiting illicit substances, Griner was subsequently charged with “large-scale transportation of drugs.”The U.S. has alleged that Griner is being wrongfully detained — a charge which Russian officials have denied. Some security experts have speculated that the WNBA player was scapegoated in retaliation for the United States’ vocal opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. Last week, Griner’s trial began, but for all intents, it has been deemed by many human rights observers, and the U.S.

Brittney Griner, sooner rather than later.Brittney, whose trial began last week, was arrested at a Moscow airport in February after Russia claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage. A Russian judge ordered Brittney, the Phoenix Mercury center who played in Russia during the WNBA off-season, to remain in custody for the trial's duration. If convicted on drug smuggling charges, Brittney could face 10 years in a Russian prison.

Brittney Griner has written an open letter to President Joe Biden pleading for her freedom.

Brittney Griner was delivered to the White House on Monday morning, according to the Griner family, who provided excerpts to reporters. In her letter, the imprisoned WNBA star pleaded with the president not to forget her, and said her already deep appreciation for Independence Day has taken on new meaning this year. «I'm terrified I might be here forever,» wrote Griner, who has been detained in Russia since mid-February. «On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran.

CNN from the communications company representing her family.“[As] I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, wrote. NEW: A letter from Brittney Griner was sent to the White House today, making a direct appeal to President Biden for her freedom. Representatives shared the following excerpts: pic.twitter.com/pvh4IpOfou“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran.

Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia for over 130 days after customs officials allegedly detected cannabis oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow on February 17. After briefly appearing in court on Monday at a preliminary hearing, a judge ordered Griner to be detained for the length of her trial, per NPR. The preliminary hearing was closed to the public, but journalists saw Griner in the courthouse’s hallway.

Pauley Perrette has used her platform to help gain extra support for Brittney Griner, following the news that her detention has been extended in Russia.MORE: Pauley Perrette looks unrecognisable with drastic hair transformation that sparks reactionThe NCIS star took to Twitter on Monday to share a rare message with her fans. It read: FreeBG, FreeBrittneyGriner, FreeBrittneyGriner.

died on their wedding day. Tom Mann, who was a member of 2014's band, Stereokicks, announced via Instagram that his fiancee, Dani, had tragically died suddenly and he had lost the "love of his life" - the couple share an eight-month-old son together.