Judge Rules In Favor Of Ja Morant's Lawyers Citing 'Stand Your Ground' Law

On Wednesday, a judge ruled in favor of Ja Morant's lawyers, citing that the NBA star was acting in self-defense to argue immunity under Tennessee law in the case of his assaulting a teenager last year.

Morant's lawyers have acknowledged that he punched Joshua Holloway, then 17, during a pickup basketball game at Morant's house last July after Holloway threw the ball in his face. His lawyers cite the "stand your ground" law, allowing people to act with force when they feel threatened in their homes.

Morant did not deny that he punched the teen but said he was acting in self-defense after being hit in the chin by the basketball thrown by Holloway. Under Tennessee's "stand your ground law," immunity can be granted in self-defense cases but can be determined by a judge who can instead decide whether the case will continue.

Morant and his friend Davonte Pack were accused of assault, abuse or neglect, reckless endangerment, and infliction of emotional distress by the teen. Morant has filed a countersuit accusing Holloway of slander, assault, and battery.

According to The Commercial Appeal, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Carol Chumney ruled in favor of part of Morant's motion to dismiss the civil case. In the ruling, the judge allowed the civil case to remain paused while Morant's attorneys prepared to argue the self-defense immunity statute.

"We're pleased with today's result," Will Perry, one of Morant's attorneys, said after the ruling.

Holloway's attorney argued that not citing the immunity statute prejudiced the teen's case because it did not allow attorneys to focus on rebuking the NBA star's claim.

"Under the circumstances, the court is going to find that the affirmative defense...is not waived by the defendant, even though it certainly could have been more specific in the reply," Chumney said. "Because the trial was not set until next year, the court finds this will not prejudice the plaintiffs."

Earlier this week, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office issued an arrest warrant for Morant's longtime friend on the charge of misdemeanor assault with intent to do bodily harm in the case of Holloway.

"The Shelby County Sheriff's Office obtained a warrant for the arrest of Davonte Pack, who has been charged with simple assault about the July 2022 altercation involving Mr. Pack, Memphis Grizzlies basketball player Ja Morant, and a juvenile basketball player at Mr. Morant's residence in Eads," the Shelby County District Attorney's Office said in a statement, according to The Commercial Appeal. "The SCSO consulted with the SCDAG before obtaining the warrant."

Bystanders of the incident told attorneys that Pack punched the teen hard enough for him to hit the ground. After beating him, Pack testified that he pulled Morant away from the fight. Others who were present said that the altercation was quick.

Holloway claimed that Morant and Pack hit him multiple times and said Morant went inside his house and returned with a gun.

Morant is suspended for 25 games to begin the 2023-2024 NBA season after his second Instagram Live incident, where he was seen flashing a firearm. Earlier in the year, his first offense got him an 8-game suspension. After going to a counseling program to learn how to better deal with his stress and apologize for his actions, he repeated the incident, which led to a longer suspension.

After his second IG Live incident, Morant apologizes and takes accountability for his actions.

"I've had time to reflect and realize how much hurt I've caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates, and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman, and Robert Pera — who allowed me to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I'm sorry for the harm I've done," his statement began.

"To the kids who look up to me, I'm sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I'm going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I will better represent our brands. And to all of my fans, I promise I will make it up to you."