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CNN Live Today

Allen Iverson in Police Custody

Aired July 16, 2002 - 13:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson is in police custody this hour, awaiting arraignment on felony charges.

For the latest, we go now to Josie Karp of CNN Sports -- Josie.

JOSIE KARP, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. I'm standing outside of police headquarters here in Philadelphia. Inside, Allen Iverson, according to a police spokesman, is 18th in line for his arraignment, and what the police are saying now that probably won't take place until sometime around 3:00 or 4:00 this afternoon Eastern Time.

It is already been a very long day for the basketball star. It started before dawn at suburban home when he made his way via motorcade down here to Center City, Philadelphia, in essence to surrender and turn himself in. Police have said since this he was fingerprinted at around 9:40 a.m., and what they are really trying to do they say the keep things as normal as possible for Iverson in terms of treating him as he's a normal prisoner, not doing anything special.

There have been a couple of examples of things that they have had to do, and according to the police commissioner, Sylvester Johnson, that's because they were trying to ensure Iverson's safety. For example, this morning, when he arrived around 5:20 a.m., didn't come in through main door where the media was congregated. He was allowed to go through a tunnel so that no one could be around to take pictures of him.

And right now, he is being held in a detention unit with all of the other prisoners, but according to the police, he's been held separately, and again, that is, they say so they can ensure his safety. At some point this afternoon, he will go in front of bail commissioner, and at that point bail will be set. According to the district attorney's office, the number if there is a bail actually set will probably be low number. There is also a chance that he could be released on his own recognizance because he's not considered a great flight risk.

Also at that preliminary arraignment, which is what they call it here, a trial -- not a trial date, but a hearing date will be set. That is the next step in this process. And at that preliminary hearing, a judge will actually determine whether this case actually has merit and whether it will go forth. Now the attorney for Allen Iverson, Richard Sprague, was asked today how his client would plead, and he said he would plead not guilty. But in essence, that step of actually entering a plea is a couple of steps down the road, because if this doesn't actually go to trial, he'll never actually have to make the plea -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Josie, going back just a little. We talked about how allegedly he stormed this home, barged into this home with this gun, Allen Iverson, looking for his wife. What was the situation? Has anyone talked to his wife? Were they in an argument. Were they saying she was going to leave him? What got him so angry in the first place to allegedly do this?

KARP: We don't have details that would say what precipitated the argument. What we have heard is that the argument took place late at night, that she left the family's home. Allegedly, she was naked. She ended up going to a hotel, and then allegedly Iverson went looking for her, went to this apartment that belonged to cousin, then he allegedly tried to gain access, did gain access, and according to the complaint there is an allegation that he did have a weapon on him.

And again, the important thing to note here is that police so far have not indicated whether or not they located the alleged weapon. If that alleged weapon is never located, the most serious charge of a felony that he's facing is probably the firearms charge. And without the actual firearm, there's a good chance they won't be able to proceed on that count. The experts that we're talking to here say there's very little chance that Allen Iverson would spend significant time, if any time at all, in jail.

PHILLIPS: All right, Josie Karp, thank you for that clarification.

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