Good for Marion County, Indiana. Domestic abuse is something that often gets too easily swept under the rug, not only in the sports world but also in society at large. Apparently not in Marion County.
Not for Greg Oden.
The former No. 1 pick was arrested last Thursday for allegedly punching his girlfriend, and he is now facing serious felony charges that could include jail time, reports the Indy Star.Oden, 26, was charged in Marion Superior Court today with one count of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony, as well as misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and battery resulting in bodily injury.
His felony offense carries a penalty of one to six years behind bars.
Oden will make his first court appearance on Tuesday. He was released from police custody but not before being fitted with an electronic monitoring device on his ankle.Oden admitted to police that he hit her, according to the original police report.
The officer noticed “blood, swelling to the nose, lacerations to the forehead and nose area” of the victim’s face. Police also saw blood on the sofa and floor. A flower pot was also knocked over during the disturbance. ...
“Things got out of control and I started to go after the victim,” police quoted Oden in the report…. “I was wrong and I know what has to happen,” Oden told officers. He said he and the woman had dated for approximately two years and broke up about two months ago.
Whether or not Oden actually does jail time will depend on a lot of factors at the discretion of the court.
In what is a trivial matter by comparison, this likely derails any chance Oden the free agent has of signing with a team, at least before the season starts and maybe much longer.
Oden, the former top pick who ended up having seven knee surgeries including three microfracture ones. Despite all that he battled all the way back and had a contract with the Miami Heat last season. He rehabbed at the start of the season and by mid-year Eric Spoelstra gave him increasing minutes and chances. However, after he got torched by Roy Hibbert in a mid-season game his minutes started to decrease and by the playoffs he was not part of the regular rotation.
Oden had hoped to sign on with a new team and was supposed to have a workout with the Clippers, but that certainly is over. Oden has much bigger concerns now than getting back own the court.