THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607280094
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE AND STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 59 lines
Police issued a warrant Saturday night charging former Norfolk basketball star and current NBA player Joseph L. Smith with felony malicious wounding.
Smith, 21, of the 7600 block of Leafwood Drive in Norfolk, ``has not been served this warrant as of this evening,'' police spokeswoman Elizabeth Jones said Saturday night.
``I don't even know if he knows there is a warrant out for him,'' Jones said. ``There is going to be an attempt by the investigators to try and contact him.''
If convicted of the Class 2 felony, Jones said, Smith could be sentenced to five years to life in prison.
Jones said the charge follows an investigation into a melee at Ridley's Restaurant and Lounge early Friday in South Norfolk. Witnesses to that incident told investigators that Smith - who was there with friends celebrating his 21st birthday - was part of a crowd that attacked a male dancer around 1 a.m. after an argument.
Smith, who is staying with his mother, has repeatedly declined to comment on the incident.
When reached at his home by telephone late Saturday after the warrant was issued and asked to comment, Smith replied: ``I'll just wait on that.'' His mother, Letha Smith, had earlier declined comment also.
Len Elmore, a former agent for the basketball star, said allegations that Smith attacked anyone surprised him.
``It doesn't sound like something Joe Smith would do,'' Elmore said from his home in Maryland. But he added: ``I don't have any facts.''
Elmore said he would fully support Smith and, as a former criminal attorney and New York City prosecutor, would help the Smith family in any way possible if they asked for his assistance.
Smith and his family terminated their business relationship with Elmore in April.
During the melee, male dancer Carlton Coney, 25, received a gash between his shoulder blades that required 22 stitches.
Fellow dancer David Turner, 35, said Friday that the incident occurred when Smith and a group of about 10 others became angry when the male exotic dancers wouldn't end their show by midnight, when Smith's 21st birthday party was to begin.
Smith attended the University of Maryland for two years before turning pro. He was named national college player of the year as a sophomore.
The forward from Maury High School now plays for the Golden State Warriors under a three-year, $8.53 million contract. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1995 NBA draft.
Last season, he averaged 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds while playing in all 82 games for the Warriors. He was a first-team selection to the NBA's all rookie team and finished third in the league's rookie of the year voting. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Former Maury star Joe Smith
KEYWORDS: ASSAULT MALICIOUS WOUNDING by CNB