Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West may face more charges after a Sept. 17 arrest in Maryland due to possession of multiple weapons and speeding on a motorcycle. West, 26, faces an eight-count indictment.
While these new charges have surfaced, it is unclear as to why West possessed an array of weapons to begin with. Along with two loaded handguns and a loaded shotgun discovered at the original scene that night, an 8 inch-plus knife has also been identified.
Maryland law states that it is illegal to carry concealed weapons and transport loaded handguns.
West was initially charged with two counts of carrying a handgun and with driving well over the speed limit, but has since been indicted on two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, two counts of carrying a handgun, two counts of transporting a handgun and one count each of reckless driving and negligent driving.
Each misdemeanor can result in three years in prison.
West, whose records indicate he does not currently posses a lawyer, has been treated for bipolar disorder in the past. His most recent legal trouble came in a domestic dispute with his wife, an incident which has not yet resulted in any formal charges being made.
“It is our understanding that today’s developments are part of the legal process that continues to take place with Delonte and he and his legal counsel will handle that,” Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said. “We will continue to take this matter very seriously and monitor and respect the legal process as it proceeds, but not speculate or comment about it.”
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is just waiting out the ordeal.
“I believe in the process, I’m going to let it unfold and go from there,” Brown said.
West could be arraigned by the end of this week, with a trial taking place early next year.
Our Take:
Just what LeBron James and the Cavs need. They acquire Shaq to get closer to a title, but now an important player on their team is causing distractions and may be in hot legal water. His disorder may or may not be at the root of this serious ordeal, but West may end up behind bars at the end of all of this. His basketball career is currently second fiddle to his legal problems.
