Terry Rozier points to text message in bid to dismiss federal charges

Terry Rozier‘s legal team believes a six-word text message could change the direction of the federal gambling case against the veteran NBA guard.

According to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, Rozier’s attorneys filed a motion Friday asking a judge to dismiss two of the four charges against him, arguing newly cited evidence undermines the government’s case.

The centerpiece is a March 29, 2023, text allegedly sent by co-defendant Deniro Laster that read: “Dont tell chum bout the bet.” Rozier’s lawyers say “chum” was Laster’s nickname for Rozier.

“This should end the case,” the attorneys wrote. “One does not hide a bet from the person who supposedly sold it.”

Federal prosecutors allege Rozier agreed to accept $100,000 to leave a March 23, 2023, game early while with the Hornets so gamblers could profit from wagers tied to his individual statistics.

Rozier has consistently denied those allegations.

His attorneys now argue he never agreed to manipulate his performance, never knowingly participated in a betting scheme and wasn’t even aware anyone was wagering on his statistics during the game in question.

The motion also contends that prosecutors are stretching the federal sports bribery statute beyond its intended scope, arguing the law applies to fixing a game’s outcome rather than an individual player’s statistics.

Rozier has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is currently scheduled to begin Feb. 8.