THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 29, 1996 TAG: 9607290028
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 40 lines
His once-promising future now under a cloud, basketball star Joseph L. Smith surrendered to police Sunday, one day after a warrant was issued for his arrest on a malicious wounding charge.
Smith was accompanied by his lawyer, David M. Delpiere of Kaufman and Canoles, when he went to police headquarters about noon. He met with detectives and was served with the arrest warrant.
``He was very cooperative with us,'' police spokeswoman Elizabeth Jones said Sunday night.
After speaking with investigators, Smith was taken to the city jail, where he was booked, fingerprinted and photographed. He was then brought before a magistrate and released on a personal recognizance bond.
In all, Smith was in and out of police custody in about two hours, Jones said.
Speaking through his lawyer, Smith, 21, of the 7600 block of Leafwood Drive in Norfolk, has denied accusations that he struck a male dancer with a beer bottle early Friday, cutting him severely. The alleged incident occurred at Ridley's Restaurant and Lounge in South Norfolk about 1 a.m. during a party marking Smith's 21st birthday.
Carlton Coney, 25, suffered a gash between his shoulder blades that required 22 stitches.
Smith is scheduled to appear in the criminal division of General District Court on Wednesday morning.
If convicted of the Class 2 felony, Jones said, Smith could be sentenced to five years to life in prison.
Smith, a Maury High School graduate and former national college player of the year, plays for the Golden State Warriors under a three-year, $8.53 million contract. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1995 NBA draft. ILLUSTRATION: Joe Smith, served with a warrant on a charge of
malicious wounding, is to appear in court Wednesday.
KEYWORDS: ARREST MALICIOUS WOUNDING by CNB