Plea Bargain Proposed for Cooper That Would Defer Any Jail Sentence
As part of a proposed plea bargain, Michael Cooper would plead guilty to assault and battery on his wife and receive a deferred sentence while continuing counseling for six months, prosecutor Michelle Frechette said Monday.
Cooper’s appearance before Municipal Judge Arnold Padilla was postponed Monday until Oct. 17 so Frechette could work out details of the plea agreement she has reached with Cooper’s attorney.
Cooper, a Laker assistant coach and former Laker player, was arrested after a dispute with his wife July 27 at the couple’s Corrales home. Cooper, who is free on $400 bond, entered inpatient counseling last month.
Frechette said Padilla will have final say on the plea agreement.
If Padilla accepts the agreement, Cooper will plead guilty to the assault and battery charge and receive a six-month sentencing deferral. The petty misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty upon conviction of a $500 fine and up to 179 days in jail.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
