BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. - Jalen Rose was sentenced Wednesday to 20 days in jail for a March drunken-driving crash near Detroit despite a recommendation the former Toronto Raptor not serve jail time and the public support of several prominent figures, including Detroit's mayor.
When he pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in May, Rose told the judge he drank six martinis before crashing his SUV along a snowy road in West Bloomfield Township. He apologized in a brief statement after Wednesday's hearing.
"I'm humbled, I'm embarrassed, and I'm very apologetic. I can assure everyone that nothing like this will ever happen again," he said.
One of his lawyers, Keith Davidson, wasn't so contrite, railing against the sentence handed down by 48th District Court Judge Kimberly Small.
"This was nothing less than an elected judge legislating from the bench," said Keith Davidson. "This is a man who has given millions of dollars to charity, started schools around the world and worked endlessly for the community, yet her average sentence is 17 days, and she sentenced Mr. Rose to 20 days."
Small, who is known for coming down hard on drunk drivers, lectured the former University of Michigan star for 15 minutes before delivering her sentence.
"I don't think you have an alcohol problem, and I sincerely believe you when you say this will not happen again," she said. "But there are issues of punishment and deterrence.
"The one thing that people never want -- that they will hire expensive lawyers to avoid -- is jail time. That's why I believe it is the right punishment."
Several prominent figures, including Bing, wrote letters to the court asking for leniency. Rose, who is from Detroit, is opening a school in the city that will bear his own name.
When another of Rose's lawyers, James Burdick, pointed out the probation department did not recommend jail, Small wasn't having any of it.
"The people have hired me, not my probation department," the judge replied.
Rose's actual sentence is 92 days in jail and one year's probation, but Small suspended 72 days of the sentence. The maximum penalty for the charge is 93 days, but Rose received credit for the night he spent in jail after the crash.
Rose is scheduled to begin serving his 20 days in jail Tuesday, although Davison said they might appeal before then.
"There were two crimes committed in this case. The first was when Jalen got behind the wheel, and the second one was today," Davidson said.
Small granted Rose the six-day delay so he could attend a birthday party for his 93-year-old grandmother this weekend.
Rose played for six teams during his 13-year NBA career. He currently works for ESPN as a pro basketball analyst.
