Rozier Lawyers Request Severed Trials in Illegal Betting Case Citing Antagonistic Defenses

Lawyers for Terry Rozier and DeNiro Laster requested separate trials in their federal illegal sports betting case. The filing argues that Rozier’s planned defense would require implicating Laster, creating prejudice that violates fair trial standards.

David Oscar Markus, Rozier’s counsel, and M. Evan Corcoran, representing Laster, submitted the motion. The pair, described as childhood friends, face four counts after a superseding indictment filed in May. Rozier is accused of accepting $100,000 to exit a March 23, 2023 NBA game early while playing for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Prosecutors allege Rozier shared information so others could bet on his “unders,” that Laster collected the winnings, and that the two counted the cash at Rozier’s Charlotte home five days later. Rozier’s defense holds that he “did not know” about the bets. NBA medical records “demonstrate conclusively” that he suffered a genuine ankle injury. Rozier exceeded certain betting-line totals in the game, causing some related wagers to lose.

Laster texted a co-conspirator on the day of the exchange, “Don’t tell chum about the bet,” with “chum” identified as Rozier’s nickname. “Mr. Rozier’s lawyers cannot present this defense without effectively prosecuting Mr. Laster,” the letter states. “This would force Mr. Laster’s lawyers into the untenable position of defending their client on two fronts.”

The motion cites Rule 14(a), which authorizes the court to sever defendants’ trials when joinder appears to prejudice a defendant. It references prior severance rulings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Prosecutors project a joint trial lasting about three weeks, with back-to-back severed trials taking approximately the same time. The lawyers propose trying Rozier’s case first. Several co-defendants in the broader matter, including former NBA assistant coach Damon Jones, have pleaded guilty.

Related NCAA Prop Bet-Fixing Charges

As first reported by ESPN and covered by InGame, Steven Vasquez, a former Fresno State and San Jose State basketball player, and Matthew J. Martin, a former DraftKings employee, face charges of committing a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment, conspiring to cheat at a gambling game, and money laundering. Mykell Robinson, another former Fresno State player, is also named but remains at large with a warrant outstanding. Vasquez’s preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 29. Both Vasquez and Martin pleaded not guilty.

The scheme allegedly involved Robinson altering his play so the others could bet the “under” on his performance. The NCAA issued permanent bans to Robinson, Vasquez, and Fresno State’s Jalen Weaver. David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) posted on X: “Ex-sportsbook employee, ex-college basketball player arrested, face charges in alleged prop bet-fixing scheme; warrant issued for another player.”

Reporting: InGame

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