Jabari Bird. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird has been ordered held on $50,000 bail in Brighton District Court after allegedly brutally attacking his girlfriend.
The 24-year-old Bird was arrested last Friday night. Prosecutors say the incident began as an argument at Bird's Brighton apartment, then led to Bird assaulting his girlfriend, a college student in Boston. They said he tried to strangle her several times, causing her to lose consciousness at one point. They said he trapped her in the house for hours, and that she hid from Bird in a bathroom and under a bed--emerging to find Bird on the floor in emotional distress.
Bird had been in an area hospital for a reported evaluation following his arrest, as prosecutors said he had some sort of breakdown following the alleged assault.
Assistant DA Khyati Short recommended $100,000 cash bail for bird, but the judge imposed half that. Representatives for Bird have until 4 p.m. to bring the money to the court for bail, or else Bird will spend the night in jail. They're insisiting on cash only--much to the annoyance of Bird's agent, Aaron Goodwin.
"Yes we have cash, but I think it's ridiculous," Goodwin said. "I feel a court asking for $50,000 cash is ridiculous."
If he makes bail, Bird will have to stay away from the victim and witnesses, stay away from their school campus, to not use drugs or alcohol or possess weapons, continue with his medical treatment plan, and not leave the state without notifying probation officers first.
A statement released by the Boston Celtics said the organization will leave Bird's future in the hands of the NBA's league office.
"Most importantly, our thoughts are with the victim of this incident," the release said. "The Celtics organization deplores domestic violence of any kind, and we are deeply disturbed by the allegations against Jabari Bird."
Bird is due back in court October 25.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mike Macklin (@mikemacklinwbz) reports