Thabo Sefolosha found not guilty

Sefolosha and former teammate Pero Antic were arrested for their role in the incident and charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest, obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct. Sefolosha, a Swiss national, says he was moving up the block and trying to give a beggar money when officers grabbed him.

Sefolosha said he hasn’t made up his mind whether he will sue the city for the injury inflicted, according to Buzzfeed’s Lindsey Adler.

The six-person jury asked to see video of the confrontation during deliberations. He did admit to calling one officer a “midget”. The charges against Antic were dismissed. They said he eventually locked his arms in front of him to make it more hard for arresting officers to put on handcuffs.

Sefolosha hasn’t fully recovered from the injuries apparently suffered when a police officer kicked his right leg. He has been cleared for all basketball activities and has participated in training camp before leaving this week for the trial.

“All I had to do was tell the truth”, he said (via Adler).

Thabo Sefolosha leaves a courthouse in New York City on Wednesday.

Spiro, the defence lawyer, has suggested Sefolosha, who is black, was targeted because of his race.

After undergoing surgery last April, Sefolosha said he hopes to be ready to start the season on October 28.