Golden State Warriors forward Matt Barnes avoided criminal charges in his assault case, pleading guilty on Tuesday morning to disorderly conduct -- a violation -- and was required to perform 10 days of community service as part of the agreement, according to a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
Barnes' case was adjourned until August 29 for a status update.
"He was cleared of all criminal charges and agreed to a disorderly violation," said Alex Spiro, Barnes' lawyer.
The 36-year-old forward originally faced third-degree assault charges, a misdemeanor, after police said he was involved in a Dec. 5 altercation at Avenue, a bar in Manhattan. Barnes was also charged with obstruction of breathing. A related civil suit has been filed against Barnes and former teammate DeMarcus Cousins in a New York District Court by two plaintiffs, Jasmine Besiso and Myrone Powell. The lawsuit alleges that Barnes grabbed Besiso by her neck and began choking her at approximately 3 a.m. after a fight broke out in the VIP section of the club.
Cousins -- now with the New Orleans Pelicans -- is alleged to have punched Powell in the face after Powell had attempted to help Besiso, while Barnes is alleged to have elbowed Besiso in the face, knocking her unconscious.
Cousins was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing and will not face charges following an NYPD investigation that concluded last week.
