Terry Rozier's Attorneys Claim New Texts Prove Ex-NBA Guard's Innocence
Terry Rozier's legal team is fighting to have the betting case against him dismissed, with a text message sent by a co-defendant in March 2023 set to be a key piece of evidence. Rozier is facing four federal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, sports bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and honest services fraud.
The former Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets guard's lawyers believe that the text message, which reads, "Don't tell chum [Rozier's nickname] bout the bet," proves that he was unaware of any alleged bets. They filed a motion to dismiss two of the four charges against Rozier on Friday, citing the text as evidence of his innocence.
Rozier's attorneys wrote in the filing, "Terry Rozier is innocent. He is a basketball player, not a gambler. He never bet on anything, never agreed to underperform, never did underperform, and did not know that anyone was wagering on his statistics in the Charlotte Hornets' March 23, 2023, game… This should end the case. One does not hide a bet from the person who supposedly sold it."
The co-defendant and Rozier's childhood friend, Deniro Laster, is accused of profiting off insider information from Rozier. However, federal prosecutors have filed a motion in response, asking the judge to deny the request, claiming that the text message did not relate to sports gambling.
Despite the charges against him, Rozier continues to maintain his innocence and remains determined to resurrect his NBA career. His attorneys believe that this text proves his innocence, and the trial is scheduled for February 2027.
Rozier was arrested in October 2025 as part of a federal investigation into illegal gambling in the NBA. He was placed on administrative leave after the arrest and was later waived by the Heat in April 2026. The case against him has been ongoing for over a year, with his lawyers now pushing for the dismissal of two of the charges.
The outcome of this motion will be crucial in determining the direction of the case. If the judge denies the request, the trial will proceed as scheduled, with Rozier facing the full force of the charges against him. If, however, the judge grants the motion, it could potentially clear Rozier's name and bring an end to the case.
The judge's decision on this motion is expected to be made in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Rozier's lawyers will continue to argue that the text message proves his innocence, while federal prosecutors will push to keep the case alive. The fate of Rozier's NBA career hangs in the balance, and a resolution to this case is eagerly awaited by fans and followers of the sport.
Source: Yahoo Sports