Former Lakers Forward Gets Denied By Court, Likely To Finish Term In Prison

KEY POINTS

Kermit Washington was denied prison release
In April, Washington demanded freedom as he feared for his safety amidst the COVID-19 threat
Washington was sentenced to six years in prison in 2018 after he was found guilty of organizing a fund scam

Former Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kermit Washington will have to stay in prison for a couple more years. The NBA veteran, claiming his health is at risk due to the Coronavirus scare, was denied an immediate release after the court found his reason “not enough” to justify his demand.

"The risk of the spread of COVID-19 alone is not enough to constitute extraordinary and compelling reasons for release,” the judge’s decision stated, according to TMZ Sports.

In a previous account, the 68-year-old reportedly asked the authorities to grant him liberty as he was worried about the risk of contracting the Coronavirus inside his prison cell. From the documents collected, Washington attributed his situation to being at a state with a "high risk of death or serious illness from COVID-19" as he was dwelling in an environment with an “extreme rate of infection” evinced by the rising number of inmate casualties.

In an earlier statement, he said: "Only the court can correct this injustice and protect me and my life."

Washington was found guilty of scheming a charity scam after he allegedly took about $1 million using fake funding that was supposedly allocated for African people, particularly those who are below the poverty line and those who are dealing with HIV. He was sentenced to six years in prison in 2018.

The 6’8 ex-Laker forward became famous after an on-court scuffle in 1977 where he “almost killed” Rudy Tomjanovich, who at the time played for the Houston Rockets.

He was selected fifth overall by the Lakers in the 1973 Draft and spent 10 seasons in the league. After playing for four years in L.A., Washington went on to play for the Boston Celtics, San Diego Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors.

He made his first and only All-Star citation in 1980 and was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice before entering his first retirement in 1982. He made a return five years later but barely played as he suited up for just eight games before getting cut.

Overall in his career, Washington averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.