Ex-NBA player waives hearing on murder charge

ATLANTA—Former NBA guard Javaris Crittenton waived his right to an initial court hearing on a murder charge on Friday after being returned to Atlanta earlier this week following his arrest in California.

Crittenton, 23, last played in the NBA for the Washington Wizards, where he was suspended for bringing guns into the team’s locker room in the US capital, where strict gun laws led to charges for him and then-teammate Gilbert Arenas.

Crittenton, whose next hearing in the murder case is set for September 30, has been charged with killing Julian Jones, a 22-year-old mother of four, in a drive-by shooting.

Police investigators say Crittenton was shooting at someone who was walking with Jones. Police have said the motive stems from a robbery of Crittenton last April.

Crittenton has denied any involvement in the shooting death. Crittenton, who did not play last season in the NBA because of an ankle injury, was suspended for 38 games in the 2009-2010 season for bringing guns into the locker room.

Crittenton pled guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in January of last year and received probation from a court, but he was not re-signed by the Wizards.

In 113 NBA games with the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis and Washington, Crittenton has averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 assists.