Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two new charges stemming from a domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend last September, according to reports.
Bird was originally arrested on charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and kidnapping. On Wednesday, prosecutors added threats and witness intimidation charges, alleging that Bird told his girlfriend he was going to murder her during the altercation.
"If you don’t stop talking I’m going to kill you," the victim alleges Bird said, according to court documents (H/T TMZ Sports). Additionally, the victim says Bird also said while kicking her, “Tell anyone about this, I don’t care where you are, I’ll find you and I’ll kill you."
Bird, who was selected by the Celtics with the 56th pick in the 2017 draft, is accused of strangling his girlfriend, a college student, a dozen times to the point that she lost consciousness for a period of time. Police say she locked herself in the bathroom, and at one point in the alleged altercation she was hiding under a bed.
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
According to a report by CBS Boston:
"Bird threw the woman against a wall and continued the attack for about four hours. Bird allegedly dragged the victim by the ankles away from a door when she tried to leave."
"The woman told police Bird was having “seizure like” symptoms when she eventually escaped. She said Bird texted her that he would kill himself if she didn’t come back."
Bird's next scheduled court date is February 13. According to ESPN, the Celtics would have to pay Bird's guaranteed $1.35 million salary for this season if they were to waive him. By allowing the league to handle the matter, his contract could potentially be voided, depending on how the legal proceedings play out.