Guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves Malik Beasley has been sentenced to 120 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse with the option of work release or home confinement to be served at the end of the season. Beasley was arrested last fall for aiming a rifle at a pregnant woman, her husband and their teenage daughter outside his home.
Although he was initially charged with felonies for threat of violence and drug possession, the former has been reduced to a misdemeanor while the latter has been dropped entirely, granted the player adheres to a strict three-year probation. The probation, imposed by Hennepin County District Judge Hilary Caligiuri, prohibits any alcohol or illicit drug use for the three-period with regular testing as well as a lifetime ban on possessing any firearms. Because the reduced sentence is dependent on it, if Beasley is not successful in adhering to the terms of his probation, he will face a harsher punishment.
The incident occurred on September 26th of last year and was described by Beasley to be the result of several weeks of unknown vehicles driving up to his house past privacy barriers. “I was worried and in fear for the safety of us,” the 24-year-old said. “All this caused me to be frustrated in the situation.” Defense attorney Ryan Pacyga said that many of the unwanted visitors were because of the NBA player’s home being listed on the Parade of Homes tour and told the judge Beasley had previously attempted to remove his address from it. However, the Star Tribune located in Minnesota writes that Parade of Homes denies the request being made.
According to the report, the family was house hunting on the homes tour and pulled up to the home. Realizing it was roped off, the couple pulled over to look up another home to go to. But before they could leave, Beasely was at their SUV window pointing a rifle at them and yelling expletives, telling them to get off his property. As the family drove off, the criminal complaint reports that Beasley continued to aim the assault rifle at the SUV until it was out of sight.
“Officers obtained a search warrant for the property and located narcotics and numerous guns,” ESPN reports. “One of which was confirmed as stolen.” Officers on the scene also reported that they detected a strong odor of marijuana, of which they found over a pound.
The family did not attend the proceeding but sent a victim impact statement that was read at the trial. The note expressed the emotional trauma the incident had on the family, including the pregnant woman having to be on bed rest the remainder of her pregnancy and the 13-year-old daughter becoming more reserved and struggling in school. “Firearms are not toys,” the statement read. “Threats of physical violence does not solve problems.”
In a statement, Beasley’s attorney Steve Hanley said, “We are very pleased with this outcome that will allow Malik to continue working on becoming a better person and making better choices.”
