NYC Trial Starts for National Basketball Association Player Charged in Clash With Police

“I personally thought that was uncalled for”, the officer sniffed.

Sefolosha is facing charges of obstructing government administration, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in a case stemming from a dispute outside a New York nightclub in April.

FILE – In this photo from Saturday, April 4, 2015, Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha plays during an NBA basketball game in Atlanta.

A stranger tried to intervene, and when Copeland snapped at him, the guy stabbed him.

Sefolosha, 31, accused the arresting officers – majority white – of using excessive force. He subsequently suffered a season-ending leg fracture after a confrontation with police.

Sefolsha’s attorney Spiro rejected the freaky theory put forward by Officer Dongvort, who as the final witness on Tuesday, testified that after the arrest Sefolosha had told him that the injury to his leg had occurred before his encounter with the officers.

Spiro argued that Giacona targeted Sefolosha because he was black. “I think he saw a black man in a hoodie”, Sprio was quoted as saying by ESPN.

“I don’t think he saw a sophisticated man who speaks many languages and is an global icon”, the lawyer said.

But a prosecutor said Tuesday that the 6-foot-6-inch Sefolosha acted entitled and disdainful to officers trying to clear hundreds of people off a street following an earlier stabbing outside the club by calling the 5-foot-7-inch Giacona “a midget”.

Charges against the teammate were later dropped, and prosecutors offered a plea deal to Sefolosha.

“He doesn’t think the rules apply to him”, Assistant District Attorney Jesse Matthews told the jury in opening statements.

Kyle Korver also said that Sefolosha missing a few of training camp is not ideal but that the team understands he must be away in order “to clear his name”.