In a recent court order, a Shelby County Circuit Court judge sided with Ja Morant, the talented point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies. The judge concluded that Morant’s actions were justified as self-defense when he threw a punch at a teenage basketball player during a pickup game in July 2022.
Morant received the “presumption of civil immunity” in Tennessee’s self-defense immunity statute during an ongoing civil lawsuit related to the incident that occurred at Morant’s residence in Eads. The decision was made following a three-day hearing in December, during which several witnesses, including Morant himself, testified.
According to the ruling, the only firsthand account of the force used by Mr. Morant comes from Chip Brunt, who described it as a “chin check” rather than a hard hit. The ruling also takes into consideration circumstantial evidence, such as the fact that the plaintiff was not knocked down by the punch, showed no visible bruising or other injuries, did not appear dazed, and was able to drive himself home. These observations support Brunt’s testimony and go beyond what is required by the Self Defense Immunity Statute.
The lawsuit between Morant and Joshua Holloway, the teenager who was hit, has been an ongoing saga since it was initially filed in September 2022.
Witness testimonies recounted the scuffle that ensued during a check-ball situation at Morant’s residence in Eads. According to witnesses, the incident unfolded when Holloway rolled the ball to Morant, who promptly returned it to the teenager for an appropriate check.
Witnesses testified that Holloway threw the ball at Morant’s head, which sparked a dispute over whether it was intentional or not. The NBA player and the teenager then confronted each other, with witnesses noticing Holloway clenching his fists, indicating a readiness to fight.
Morant then delivered a single punch to the teen, often referred to as a “chin-check,” while his close friend Davonte Pack struck Holloway from behind, causing him to fall to the ground.
Holloway, who was 17 at the time, has recently turned 18 and embarked on his college journey. This past season, he showcased his skills at Samford University.
Attorney Rebecca Adelman, who is representing Holloway, has filed a motion questioning the constitutionality of Tennessee’s stand-your-ground law. She argues that this law infringes upon Holloway’s due process rights, raising uncertainties about the future of the case.
A hearing on these arguments is still pending, as Circuit Court Judge Carol Chumney previously determined that Holloway lacks the standing to challenge the constitutionality of the law. This ruling was based on the uncertainty of whether Morant would receive immunity in the case. However, now that Morant has been granted immunity, the next course of action would be to proceed with a constitutional hearing.
The Tennessee Attorney General has agreed to defend the law, as is customary when state laws are called into question for their constitutionality.
If additional hearings are held, it is highly probable that the trial would be delayed. While Morant has been granted immunity, Pack, who is also a codefendant in the lawsuit, has not received the same protection. As a result, the case could proceed against Pack.
Pack faced criminal charges for misdemeanor simple assault related to the scuffle. However, the prosecutors later dropped the charge.
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