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Sacbee article : http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/136137.html
Tearful Artest apologizes
After Monday arrest, he'll return to action today
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:00 am PDT Sunday, March 11, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
Ron Artest won't know his status in the legal system for some time, having been arrested Monday on suspicion of domestic violence and facing a March 22 arraignment in Placer County Superior Court.
But the controversial small forward is officially back on the basketball court, as Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie announced Artest's return after a two-game absence.
After Artest's arrest, he was "excused indefinitely" by the Kings, who spent the recent days compiling information on his case and meeting numerous times with Artest's legal counsel, Bill Portanova. Saturday, a remorseful and emotional Artest addressed the situation for the first time in front of the media at the team's practice facility, with Petrie and Portanova also on hand and no prepared statement in Artest's hand.
"First, I want to apologize to my wife, to my family ... " Artest began.
His words stopped suddenly, and 47 seconds of silence went by with Artest's head down and Petrie and Portanova eventually offering pats on his back. With tears in his eyes and on his cheek, Artest continued.
"I want to apologize to the Kings, to my teammates, the NBA," he said. "For another incident to come up is very unfortunate, and I definitely want to apologize for my behavior."
Petrie said the decision to bring Artest back was based largely on the presumption of innocence inherent to the legal system. There was precedent as well, he said, in which players facing similar allegations missed as many as four games following the incident or, as in most cases, no games at all.
"The presumption of innocence still stands," Petrie said. "He's a basketball player, and at some point he needs to get back on the court.
"Obviously, the events of this past Monday remain a very, very serious issue going forward. However, at this point in time and place, we feel it's appropriate for Ron to come back and participate, to rejoin the team and start playing again."
Artest practiced with the team for the first time Saturday morning and will play this afternoon against the Denver Nuggets at Arco Arena.
Artest's list of apologies and thanks was long, beginning with his family and going so far as current and former teammates, NBA Commissioner David Stern and "people who don't even watch basketball that were just hoping that Ron Artest would just stay on a straight path."
He even thanked the Placer County officers who arrested him Monday for "being professional at a time when it was difficult for me and my family." Those officers arrived after a 911 call was placed from his home and his 3-year old daughter could be heard in the background. It is up to the district attorney's office whether to file charges at the arraignment, at which time Artest would enter a plea if it did so. He must be at the arraignment, which comes on a day in which the Kings play the Suns in Phoenix.
The alleged victim has yet to be identified by authorities, though a neighbor told The Bee it was Artest's wife, Kimsha.
Artest, who has three children with Kimsha and a fourth child from a previous relationship, addressed his wife on numerous occasions during the approximately 20-minute conference.
"I'm definitely stumbled by what happened with my family," he said. "I took a step back as being a father and a husband, and I'm looking forward to the day when I can make that right with my family."
Asked what was behind the emotion he had displayed, Artest said regarding Kimsha: "When you met somebody when you're 14 years old, that's a lot of love. There's only a few people that probably know what I'm talking about, when you've known somebody for 13 years ... . I miss my family."
Artest has had no contact with his family since his arrest, as the sheriff's department enacted an emergency protective order barring him from returning home or making contact. The alleged victim had five days to request a protective court order, though Portanova said Artest's legal team was unsure if she had done so and has advised Artest not to contact his family for now.
"In most of these situations, the smart move for everyone is to keep everybody apart until everybody calms down," Portanova said. "It's a raw, open wound for everybody -- husband, wife, all the kids -- and it needs to heal naturally. We can't force it."
In the couple's past, Artest called the police after he claimed Kimsha battered him in September 2002. Two months earlier, Artest was charged with harassment and criminal contempt for allegedly threatening another girlfriend in New York. More recently, he had his Great Dane confiscated for malnourishment in what was -- at the time -- his latest off-court incident.
Artest said he was "totally supportive" of the team's decision to excuse him and that he did not lobby to return despite a desire to do so.
"When you've got strong love for your family, it's pretty horrible when you go through situations like this," he said. "And when you can't play basketball also, when you were trying to have a nice, clean year and things happen and you can't play, it's very difficult."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Tearful Artest apologizes
After Monday arrest, he'll return to action today
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:00 am PDT Sunday, March 11, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
Ron Artest won't know his status in the legal system for some time, having been arrested Monday on suspicion of domestic violence and facing a March 22 arraignment in Placer County Superior Court.
But the controversial small forward is officially back on the basketball court, as Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie announced Artest's return after a two-game absence.
After Artest's arrest, he was "excused indefinitely" by the Kings, who spent the recent days compiling information on his case and meeting numerous times with Artest's legal counsel, Bill Portanova. Saturday, a remorseful and emotional Artest addressed the situation for the first time in front of the media at the team's practice facility, with Petrie and Portanova also on hand and no prepared statement in Artest's hand.
"First, I want to apologize to my wife, to my family ... " Artest began.
His words stopped suddenly, and 47 seconds of silence went by with Artest's head down and Petrie and Portanova eventually offering pats on his back. With tears in his eyes and on his cheek, Artest continued.
"I want to apologize to the Kings, to my teammates, the NBA," he said. "For another incident to come up is very unfortunate, and I definitely want to apologize for my behavior."
Petrie said the decision to bring Artest back was based largely on the presumption of innocence inherent to the legal system. There was precedent as well, he said, in which players facing similar allegations missed as many as four games following the incident or, as in most cases, no games at all.
"The presumption of innocence still stands," Petrie said. "He's a basketball player, and at some point he needs to get back on the court.
"Obviously, the events of this past Monday remain a very, very serious issue going forward. However, at this point in time and place, we feel it's appropriate for Ron to come back and participate, to rejoin the team and start playing again."
Artest practiced with the team for the first time Saturday morning and will play this afternoon against the Denver Nuggets at Arco Arena.
Artest's list of apologies and thanks was long, beginning with his family and going so far as current and former teammates, NBA Commissioner David Stern and "people who don't even watch basketball that were just hoping that Ron Artest would just stay on a straight path."
He even thanked the Placer County officers who arrested him Monday for "being professional at a time when it was difficult for me and my family." Those officers arrived after a 911 call was placed from his home and his 3-year old daughter could be heard in the background. It is up to the district attorney's office whether to file charges at the arraignment, at which time Artest would enter a plea if it did so. He must be at the arraignment, which comes on a day in which the Kings play the Suns in Phoenix.
The alleged victim has yet to be identified by authorities, though a neighbor told The Bee it was Artest's wife, Kimsha.
Artest, who has three children with Kimsha and a fourth child from a previous relationship, addressed his wife on numerous occasions during the approximately 20-minute conference.
"I'm definitely stumbled by what happened with my family," he said. "I took a step back as being a father and a husband, and I'm looking forward to the day when I can make that right with my family."
Asked what was behind the emotion he had displayed, Artest said regarding Kimsha: "When you met somebody when you're 14 years old, that's a lot of love. There's only a few people that probably know what I'm talking about, when you've known somebody for 13 years ... . I miss my family."
Artest has had no contact with his family since his arrest, as the sheriff's department enacted an emergency protective order barring him from returning home or making contact. The alleged victim had five days to request a protective court order, though Portanova said Artest's legal team was unsure if she had done so and has advised Artest not to contact his family for now.
"In most of these situations, the smart move for everyone is to keep everybody apart until everybody calms down," Portanova said. "It's a raw, open wound for everybody -- husband, wife, all the kids -- and it needs to heal naturally. We can't force it."
In the couple's past, Artest called the police after he claimed Kimsha battered him in September 2002. Two months earlier, Artest was charged with harassment and criminal contempt for allegedly threatening another girlfriend in New York. More recently, he had his Great Dane confiscated for malnourishment in what was -- at the time -- his latest off-court incident.
Artest said he was "totally supportive" of the team's decision to excuse him and that he did not lobby to return despite a desire to do so.
"When you've got strong love for your family, it's pretty horrible when you go through situations like this," he said. "And when you can't play basketball also, when you were trying to have a nice, clean year and things happen and you can't play, it's very difficult."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
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