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[h1]In hearing, ex-NBA player Clark says he 'never played a game sober'[/h1]
Associate Press
Updated: December 15, 2007, 7:14 PM ET
DANVILLE, Ill. -- An Illinois judge has tossed out a 2½-year prison sentence for former NBA player Keon Clark, saying he deserves a new hearing.
Clark, 32, of Danville, said in Vermilion County Circuit Court on Friday that he is an alcoholic and was drinking a halfpint to a pint of gin daily when he was playing pro basketball.
"I never played a game sober, unfortunately," said Clark, who last played for the Utah Jazz and PhoenixSuns.
Clark said in court that he started drinking in high school and, after he was drafted in the NBA by the Orlando Magic in 1998, he drank at games during halftime.
"It just never stopped," he said.
Judge Michael Clary ruled Clark should get a new sentencing hearing because he did not have legal representation when he was sentenced in absentia Oct. 10on drug and weapons charges. A new sentencing date has not been set.
"A defendant has a right [to legal representation] at every stage of proceedings, unless they waive that right," Clary said. "There's nowaiver by this defendant to not have a lawyer."
Clark was arrested Oct. 18 after U.S. Marshals got a tip that he was on a bus leaving Houston. He was arrested on several Illinois charges, including nothaving a firearm owner's identification card and possession of a controlled substance. He had been in Texas at a drug and alcohol rehab clinic, accordingto court records.
Clark's attorney, Tom Mellen, said Clark was finally facing his problems in Texas.
A message left Saturday for Mellen by the Associated Press was not immediately returned.
Clark remains in custody at the Vermilion County Jail.
Clark was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1998, but was traded to the DenverNuggets, where he played for three years. Clark also played for the TorontoRaptors and Sacramento Kings. He played two games for Utah before beingtraded to Phoenix in 2004.
Associate Press
Updated: December 15, 2007, 7:14 PM ET
DANVILLE, Ill. -- An Illinois judge has tossed out a 2½-year prison sentence for former NBA player Keon Clark, saying he deserves a new hearing.
Clark, 32, of Danville, said in Vermilion County Circuit Court on Friday that he is an alcoholic and was drinking a halfpint to a pint of gin daily when he was playing pro basketball.
"I never played a game sober, unfortunately," said Clark, who last played for the Utah Jazz and PhoenixSuns.
Clark said in court that he started drinking in high school and, after he was drafted in the NBA by the Orlando Magic in 1998, he drank at games during halftime.
"It just never stopped," he said.
Judge Michael Clary ruled Clark should get a new sentencing hearing because he did not have legal representation when he was sentenced in absentia Oct. 10on drug and weapons charges. A new sentencing date has not been set.
"A defendant has a right [to legal representation] at every stage of proceedings, unless they waive that right," Clary said. "There's nowaiver by this defendant to not have a lawyer."
Clark was arrested Oct. 18 after U.S. Marshals got a tip that he was on a bus leaving Houston. He was arrested on several Illinois charges, including nothaving a firearm owner's identification card and possession of a controlled substance. He had been in Texas at a drug and alcohol rehab clinic, accordingto court records.
Clark's attorney, Tom Mellen, said Clark was finally facing his problems in Texas.
A message left Saturday for Mellen by the Associated Press was not immediately returned.
Clark remains in custody at the Vermilion County Jail.
Clark was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1998, but was traded to the DenverNuggets, where he played for three years. Clark also played for the TorontoRaptors and Sacramento Kings. He played two games for Utah before beingtraded to Phoenix in 2004.
