Lawyers representing a teenager who is suing NBA All-Star Ja Morant over a fight during a pickup basketball game have requested to withdraw from the case due to irreconcilable conflicts with their client. The lawsuit was filed by Joshua Holloway against Morant, who allegedly punched him in the face during an offseason pickup game held at his parents’ home in July 2022. The lawyers, Rebecca Adelman and Leslie Ballin, were granted permission to withdraw from the case by a Tennessee judge, citing their inability to support Holloway. Holloway’s parents were given 30 days to find new legal representation for their son.
Myca Clay, the mother of Joshua Holloway, stated that she is seeking new representation for her son, who currently plays college basketball for Samford. She expressed her desire for justice for her son and mentioned that she did not agree with the way his previous lawyers represented him. These developments came after a ruling by Judge Carol Chumney that granted Morant “civil immunity” under Tennessee law, stating that the NBA player acted in self-defense when he struck Holloway in response to a basketball being thrown at him.
Ja Morant testified during a hearing in December that he felt threatened by Holloway, who had reportedly bumped into him and assumed a fighting stance before Morant punched him. Morant’s legal team has argued that he is protected under Tennessee’s “stand your ground” law, allowing individuals to use force when they feel threatened in certain situations at their homes. The trial that was previously scheduled for April has been postponed indefinitely due to Morant’s injury, a torn labrum in his right shoulder that required surgery. This injury ended Morant’s season, which had already started with a suspension by the NBA for previous incidents involving a handgun.
The legal battle between Joshua Holloway and Ja Morant has been ongoing since the altercation during the pickup basketball game in July 2022. The recent developments, including the withdrawal of Holloway’s lawyers and the postponement of the trial, shed light on the complexities of the case. While Morant has claimed self-defense and is protected under Tennessee law, the issue of civil immunity and the use of force in such situations remain contentious. The search for new legal representation for Holloway continues, as his mother seeks justice for her son in the ongoing lawsuit against the NBA All-Star.
