Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson was charged with physical harassment and criminal mischief stemming from a domestic violence arrest Saturday night.
Lawson’s girlfriend, Ashley Nicole Pettiford, was also arrested on investigation of domestic violence related-related property damage. A mandatory restraining order was issued after charges were filed, prohibiting Lawson from contacting Pettiford.
“They were yelling at each other and broke each other’s phones,” Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said. “I don’t believe it was physical otherwise.”
Robinson also said the dispute “was a mutual situation and as a result our deputies made the decision that there was probable cause to arrest both parties.”
Lawson appeared in Arapahoe County court Monday for arraignment, and was released on $1,000 bond. Pettiford was also released on $1,000 bond.The fight took place at Lawson’s home, but it was unclear who called police.
This is the second time Lawson has been arrested this year. The 25-year-old was arrested on January 29 for a warrant issued in July 2012 for failure to appear in court. He was charged with driving under restraint and careless driving.
“We are fully aware of an incident involving Ty Lawson over the weekend,” Nuggets GM Tim Connelly said in a statement. Per team policy and out of respect for the legal process, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Lawson didn’t appear to take the charges very seriously Monday, responding to a tweet:
20 day old fish RT @VicLombardi : Ty Lawson does not fit the profile. At all. Something fishy here.
— Ty Lawson (@TyLawson3) August 20, 2013
Teammate Wilson Chandler also joked about the accusations against Lawson, but changed his tune quickly.
Young Ty trying to get that street cred up lol
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) August 20, 2013
All jokes, that story is suspect. He’s not even on that type of time.
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) August 20, 2013
Ty Lawson averaged 16.7 points, 1.5 steals, and 6.9 assists last season with the Denver Nuggets . He starts the first year of a four-year, $48 million contract extension this season.
[Photo credit: Keith Allison/Flickr ]
