Shawn Kemp, the celebrated figure from the Seattle SuperSonics, received his sentencing related to an assault conviction on Friday, according to information released by the Seattle Times. The 55-year-old will not be confined to a correctional facility. Instead, the judgment dictates 30 days of electronic surveillance at his residence, a commitment to community confinement for one year, in addition to 240 hours dedicated to community service, stemming from an event where he acknowledged discharging a firearm towards two individuals believed to have been in the process of burglarizing his automobile, without causing any physical harm to them.
Kemp entered a guilty plea to a charge of second-degree assault during the month of May. This particular charge includes sentencing guidelines ranging from a duration of three to nine months; prosecuting attorneys had pushed for a nine-month term. As reported by the Times, presiding Judge Michael Schwartz concluded the circumstances warranted an “exceptional sentence”.
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Cited from the Times report:
“He fully realizes and understands that his actions could have and should have been different that afternoon in the Tacoma Mall parking area,” wrote Timothy Leary, Kemp’s legal representation, in a memorandum discussing sentencing. “However, the public humiliation, feelings of disappointment, embarrassment, and personal shame, affect Mr. Kemp profoundly. This form of punishment will continue far longer than any term of imprisonment.”
Leary also issued an official statement indicating that his client feels “sincerely remorseful” and “anticipates his continued contributions in a positive manner as an influential person within the local community, a mentor, and as a proprietor of a small enterprise.”
Kemp was accused of firing weapons after locating Dajuan Jackson and Joshua Puente, who the defense alleged had stolen multiple items from Kemp’s vehicle while the former NBA All-Star was attending an event with the employees of his cannabis business. According to KOMO News, the stolen property included keys to his business, a cellular telephone, pertinent documentation, a business wallet, and jerseys worn during games by Kemp himself and Hall of Famer Gary Payton, which were intended for a charitable auction.
It is alleged that Kemp located the men through the utilization of his phone’s tracking capabilities and engaged them in the Tacoma Mall parking facility. His defense team maintained he discharged his firearm solely in self-defense after they initiated gunfire at him, citing the discovery of a holster, though without a firearm, found subsequently in their abandoned vehicle. Prosecutors argued that he did not appear to react as someone being shot at would and that no proof of a weapon being fired by either of the men was in evidence.
Shawn Kemp is still facing a lawsuit and the potential loss of his cannabis business. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
(Jane Gershovich via Getty Images)
The defense team also brought to light that Jackson and Puente have prior convictions numbering 49 and 24, respectively, across the Puget Sound vicinity.
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Possible consequences remain for Shawn Kemp
While Kemp will not serve time in a correctional center, potential repercussions in a couple of areas persist. The first issue is an ongoing lawsuit initiated by one of the individuals involved, currently held at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center, as detailed by the Times. This individual reportedly alleges enduring extensive personal injuries and significant emotional suffering as a consequence of the incident:
According to a victim impact statement, the man indicated experiencing trauma because of the shooting event and conveyed he has “been placed in a condition of emotional distress,” finding himself unable to watch or engage in basketball or sports-related activities with his children without encountering triggering effects.
“The act of assault perpetrated against me by Mr. Kemp has rendered me paralyzed with anxieties and feelings of despondency pertaining to my future,” he indicated.
The individual is formally requesting Kemp cover the financial obligations tied to his healthcare services rendered by the Department of Corrections during his period of incarceration.
Additionally, the issue surrounding Kemp’s cannabis-related commercial enterprise is also relevant, given that the conviction results in him being identified as a convicted felon. According to insights provided by Brian Smith of the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board, reported by KIRO 7, possessing a conviction for a felony can pose challenges when attempting to renew a license pertaining to cannabis-related activities:
“The ultimate determination lies with the board,” mentioned Smith. “According to our established guidelines, the standard response is negative. In the event of a felony conviction occurring within the past 10 years, our guidelines suggest not moving forward with said licensing action.”
Kemp is believed to hold a 10% ownership share within the business, which he initiated back in 2020. Should the renewal application be denied, this will leave the business with a restricted number of feasible options moving forward:
“The board maintains the prerogative to permit operations to persist without his involvement in the license. Moreover, fellow co-owners retain the right to request his departure. However, those decisions are business-related on their part,” clarified Smith.
