SEATTLE -- Seattle SuperSonics forward Ruben Patterson was
sentenced Tuesday to a year in jail with all but 15 days suspended
under a modified plea to an attempted rape charge.
|  | | Ruben Patterson wipes away tears as his attorney, John Wolfe, stands by during court proceedings Tuesday. |
Patterson, 25, wept as he entered the plea, under which he did
not admit guilt but agreed a jury might convict him.
Patterson was accused of attempting to rape the family's nanny
in September at the family home in suburban Bellevue.
The maximum punishment for attempted third-degree rape, a gross
misdemeanor, is one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Patterson also was placed on two years' probation by King County
Superior Court Judge Brian Gain, who ordered him to register as a
sex offender if he remains in Washington. He will have to pay the
$5,000 fine, as well as court costs and $500 plus restitution to
the nanny.
Patterson told the court he did not commit a crime but
acknowledged he cheated on his wife.
"I would like to apologize to anyone I have hurt by my stupid
decision, including my wife, my family, my team and my fans," he
said.
Patterson is to begin serving his sentence by July 17. He could
get five days off for good behavior.
His wife, Shannon, attended the hearing.
"I'm here today because I do not believe Ruben raped or
attempted to rape our former nanny," she told the court. "I love
my husband and I believe he's done the right thing for our family
to put this matter behind us."
The 6-foot-5, 224-pound Patterson had his best season with the
Sonics this season, averaging 13.1 points, five rebounds and 27.1
minutes in 76 games. He will be a restricted free agent this
summer.
He was suspended for three games in February because of an
assault conviction for breaking a man's jaw in Cleveland.
Team owner Howard Schultz has said he's disturbed by the
attempted rape charge, and Sonics CEO Wally Walker has said
Patterson will be disciplined if he returns to the team next
season.
Patterson also will receive a multigame suspension and fine of
at least $100,000 from the NBA, said his agent, Dan Fagan. An NBA spokesman would say only that the league is gathering
information about the plea.
John Wolfe, Patterson's attorney, asked for a 12-month deferred
sentence and 240 hours of community service. The judge refused,
saying community service wouldn't be appropriate because the NBA
already encourages players to engage in such works.
Gain said he had taken into account a letter from the victim and
her parents, in which she asked that Patterson be sentenced to
jail. He told Patterson, "You've got work to do, particularly with
your family."
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