Ja Morant's attorneys cite 'stand your ground' law and self-defense in lawsuit over pickup basketball incident

Lawsuit against Ja Morant depends on self-defense claim and immunity.

In a legal battle that could determine the future of a lawsuit against Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, the key question revolves around whether Morant can claim self-defense and seek immunity under Tennessee law. A judge recently ruled that Morant's lawyers can proceed with their argument that the player was acting in self-defense when he punched Joshua Holloway during a pickup basketball game at Morant's Memphis-area home in July 2022. The defense argues that Morant should be immune from liability under the state's "stand your ground" law, which permits individuals to use force when feeling threatened in certain home-related situations.

Morant's lawyers have acknowledged that he threw a punch at Holloway after Holloway threw a basketball at him, hitting him in the chin. The player's legal team submitted a motion on July 26, asserting that Morant should be protected by the "stand your ground" law. Now, the case will proceed to hear arguments from both sides, including those representing the Tennessee Attorney General, to determine if the law can be applied to this specific case under the state Constitution.

At the time the lawsuit was filed, Morant's accuser was 17 years old. The lawsuit accuses Morant and his friend Davonte Pack of assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect, and infliction of emotional distress. Holloway, now 18, is identified as the plaintiff in the amended complaint. In response, Morant filed a countersuit, accusing Holloway of slander, battery, and assault.

It's worth noting that no criminal charges have been filed against Morant thus far. However, the lawsuit has sparked complex legal arguments, with disagreement arising over whether the state's "stand your ground" law can be used to support Morant's actions. During a recent hearing, Holloway's lawyer argued that Morant had waived his claim to immunity and that the self-defense claim under the state law should not be grounds for dismissing the civil case, especially since there is no ongoing criminal investigation against Morant. On the other hand, Morant's lawyer contended that the "stand your ground" law can apply in civil cases and that Morant should be granted immunity. The defense claimed that the motion was timely since the trial is scheduled for 2024.

The judge presiding over the case, Carol Chumney, has issued a stay, temporarily halting depositions, subpoenas, evidence exchanges, and other proceedings in the lawsuit. A hearing on the matter is set for October 12. While Holloway's lawyer expressed disappointment with the judge's decision to allow the immunity claim to continue, she was pleased that arguments regarding the law's application in the case will be heard.

In addition to the legal battle, Morant has faced consequences from the NBA. He has been suspended for 25 games at the start of the upcoming season due to a second video surfacing of him displaying a handgun. The video, in which Morant is seen with a gun while sitting in a car's passenger seat, was posted after he had already served an eight-game suspension in March for a separate video in which he flashed a handgun in a strip club in the Denver area. Morant has apologized for both incidents.

Recently, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Pack on a misdemeanor assault charge related to the fight that took place during the pickup game at Morant's house in Eads, exactly one year ago.

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