Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird was arraigned Thursday in Boston District Court on assault and kidnapping charges. Bird pled not guilty to the charges.
Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird was arraigned on Thursday for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in brutal fashion last Friday in Brighton, Mass. Bird pled not guilty to charges of domestic assault, kidnapping, and strangulation.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard allegedly choked the victim until she lost consciousness. According to MassLive reporter Jacquelina Tempera, who obtained the police report, the victim claimed Bird strangled her as many as 12 times, only releasing her when he saw her ‘go limp’:
"The argument quickly escalated when Bird “began to strangle her using one of his hands around her neck, also throwing her against the wall,” Boston police wrote in the report.Bird strangled the woman with two hands about 12 times, causing her to lose consciousness, she told police.“He had a pattern of when she began to go ‘limp’ he would stop and allow her to regain her breath, and then continue to strangle her,” police wrote in the report on file in Brighton District Court."
Bail was set at $50,000, with the condition that Bird stay away from the victim, abstain from alcohol and drugs, and continue treatment.
Bird is accused of kicking her repeatedly in the stomach when she woke up. When she left, per the Commonwealth, Bird was in mental distress, so she left him in a safe place.
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) September 13, 2018
The Celtics guard has until 4 pm Thursday to post bail. His appearance in court was delayed because Bird was on guarded watch at the local hospital, according to reports.
Police said Bird threatened to do himself harm in a text message to the victim. She then told a member of the Celtics organization, who passed it onto the police and checked in on Bird while the victim was receiving treatment at the hospital.
According the the police report, the victim suffered internal bleeding behind her ear in addition to cuts and bruises.
The Boston Celtics released an official statement on the incident Thursday:
"Most importantly, our thoughts are with the victim of this incident. The Celtics organization deplores domestic violence of any kind, and we are deeply disturbed by the allegations against Jabari Bird. Pursuant to Domestic Violence Policy in the NBA’s labor agreement, matters of this kind are handled by the League Office, not the team, and so the Celtics will be working with both the league and local authorities to assist in their ongoing investigations. The team will have no further comment at this time."
With court approval, Bird will be able to travel with the team during the proceedings. However, it is also possible the Celtics could decide to cut ties with the guard and open up a roster spot heading into training camp on September 28. Bird is on a two-year, $3-million dollar deal, but only this season is guaranteed.
Drafted with the 58th pick in 2017, Bird spent most of last season with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics G-League affiliate. He averaged 19.3 points per game on 52 percent shooting in 20 games.
Bird also played 13 games for Boston, averaging 3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in 8.8 minutes per game. He played his college basketball at California.