Home

NBA

“People That Murdered Their Husbands”: WNBA Star Brittney Griner’s Sickening Message From Prison

Published 12/26/2022, 9:30 AM EST

Follow Us

via Getty

In February, Brittney Griner was first detained at an airport in Moscow for carrying small amounts of cannabis oil. She was charged with smuggling and carrying drugs. Before she was detained at the airport, she called her spouse Cherelle and informed her that she was taken to a separate room by Russian officials. It was midnight in the U.S. and Cherelle did not think it would be something serious. After she was put in prison, she was allowed to communicate through letters. Griner revealed some daunting details from prison via her letters.

Griner pleaded guilty but stated she packed the cannabis oil in a hurry. After multiple trials, the Phoenix Mercury star was sentenced to nine years in prison. This shook her fans and many celebrities who felt the sentence was very harsh for carrying small amounts of cannabis oil.

Brittney Griner on her 9-year sentence from prison

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The nine-year sentence was a huge blow for Brittney Griner, her family, and her friends. During her time in prison, Griner has reportedly sent a lot of letters to her agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas. After the sentencing, she sent a letter to her agent talking about the sentencing and the inmates. The 2014 WNBA champion stated in the letter that she got a bigger sentence than even murderers and drug dealers.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Colas recently revealed some details of the letter during an interview with Oregon Live. Colas read, “Dang this sucks … Nine years but I was ready for it. … They really do as they want here.” She continued, “I’ve learned so much here from the women on how bad it really is. … I got more time than people that murdered their husbands, and drug dealers.

“My Citizenship to My Country Meant Nothing”: Brittney Griner’s Release Sparked Riveting Words From ‘Forgotten American’

Colas played a major role in communication throughout Griner’s captivity. She worked behind the scenes coordinating with Russian attorneys and government officials.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

After the nine-year sentence, there was outrage from many fans and celebrities in the country. Griner’s lawyers appealed the sentence.

Griner’s appeal was rejected

There was some hope that Griner’s sentence could be reduced during the appeal hearing. However, a Russian court upheld the nine-year sentence. Griner was disappointed with the verdict and stated that people who have committed severe crimes were given less time than her.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORYWill Smith, Usher, Justin Timberlake and Other Celebrities You Didnt Know Owned NBA Teams

Her attorneys argued the punishment was excessive and that in similar cases defendants were given an average sentence of about five years. However, the court was not ready to reduce her sentence. The U.S. government then negotiated with Russia and secured the freedom of Griner with a prisoner swap deal.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Bagavathi Eswaran

1,520Articles

One take at a time

Bagavathi Eswaran is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He has been playing the game of basketball for more than 20 years now and has also been following the NBA for more than 10 years. After not being able to go pro, this former college player decided to join the IT industry.
Show More>