Prosecutors drop assault case against Latrell Sprewell

February 4, 2008

HARRISON, N.Y. (AP) -- Prosecutors are dropping their case against

former basketball star Latrell Sprewell, who was accused of assaulting

his girlfriend in front of their children.

Lucian Chalfen, spokesman for Westchester County District Attorney

Janet DiFiore, said Monday the charges will be dismissed in a year if

Sprewell stays out of trouble.

An order of protection against Sprewell on behalf of Candace Cabbil

remains in effect, Chalfen said.

Sprewell was charged in December 2006 with third-degree assault,

obstructing governmental administration and five counts of endangering

children. The complaint said Sprewell assaulted Cabbil in their home

in the New York City suburb of Purchase and refused to let in police

for 90 minutes.

Sprewell played 13 seasons and was a four-time All-Star. He played for

the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks and the Minnesota

Timberwolves. During a 1997 practice, Sprewell attacked his Golden

State Warriors coach, P.J. Carlesimo.

In 2005, Sprewell turned down a three-year, $21 million contract

extension from Minnesota and has not played professional basketball

since. He lives in River Hills, Wis.

In May, four of the five endangering children charges were dropped,

and all remaining charges were included in Friday's adjournment.

"This is what Latrell maintained all along, that there was no merit to

the charges," said Sprewell's lawyer, George Bellantoni.

Bellantoni said a lawsuit filed in Manhattan by Cabbil had been

settled. He would not disclose terms.