Ex-Celtics Player Admits Violent Assault of Former Intimate Partner

BOSTON, October 26, 2021—The 2018 criminal case against former Boston Celtics player JABARI BIRD for strangulation, kidnapping and other domestic-violence crimes concluded today as a judge continued the case without a finding for two years over the objections of the prosecutor and the victim, Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced. 

During a hearing this morning in the Brighton Division of the Boston Municipal Court, Mr. Bird tearfully admitted that he assaulted and repeatedly choked his then-girlfriend, prevented her from leaving his apartment, and later threatened her in an attempt to deter her from testifying.

Judge David Donnelly imposed a probationary period of two years and ordered Mr. Bird to remain under home confinement for the first 60 days of that term.  He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim and to undergo an abuse intervention program, at which the judge said Mr. Bird must “admit that he is a batterer.” 

If Mr. Bird does not violate the conditions or commit any new criminal offenses during the two-year period, the case will be dismissed without a conviction on his record.

Assistant District Attorney Khyati Short of District Attorney Rollins’ Major Felony Bureau had recommended guilty findings and a term of 60 days in the house of correction, followed by probation.  This request was backed by the victim, who appeared via Zoom and told the judge that “time supposedly heals all wounds” but the trauma of the attack remains fresh and has shattered her trust in men.  “I miss the woman I was before I met Jabari,” she said. 

For his part, Bird asked permission to address the judge and said through tears, “She didn’t deserve this and I’m sorry.”

Judge Donnelly said he had given the case more thought than perhaps any other in 20 years, and “time has not healed the wounds, I understand that.”  But he emphasized that Mr. Bird had no further problems in the three years since the offenses. 

“I want to commend the brave survivor of this case who overcame the deep trauma of a violent and prolonged attack to speak out and ensure that her abuser was held accountable.  While this was not the outcome she has hoped for and that my office had sought, it sends the important message that intimate partner violence, family violence and gender-based violence in any form will not be tolerated,” District Attorney Rollins said. “There is often a perception that there are two justice systems – one for those who are wealthy and privileged and another for the rest of the community. That is not the case in Suffolk County.  We work every day to ensure that anyone who commits a serious, violent offense is prosecuted fairly and equitably and that every victim has access to the resources and services they are entitled to.”

On September 7, 2018, Mr. Bird assaulted the victim at his Brighton home during a period of about four hours and physically prevented her from leaving. When he later passed out, she left the residence and contacted a friend and a coach for help. Together they sought treatment for the victim’s injuries at a Boston Hospital. There they also disclosed the abuse to the police department of the victim’s Boston-area college and then to Boston Police. 

The victims of any crime, including domestic violence, should call 911 in an emergency. SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020. The SafeLink hotline is answered by trained advocates 24 hours a day in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601. It also has the capacity to provide multilingual translation in more than 140 languages. Help is also available for members of our LGTBQIA+ community experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence through The Network/La Red by calling 617-742-4911 or 800-832-1901. 

Michael Glennon is the assigned Victim Witness Advocate.  Mr. Bird was represented by attorney J.W. Carney Jr.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.