quantity (of cannabis) and Griner’s admission of guilt.”
“We are definitely going to appeal. We certainly disagree, are surprised and disappointed with the Khimki court’s ruling today,” she added.
Griner’s mood following the verdict was “bad” and she was feeling “disheartened,” according to her lawyer.
Griner also will be required to pay a $16,300 fine.
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During closing arguments, Russian prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Griner to nine years and six months in prison. They also asked that she be fined 1 million rubles, roughly equivalent to $16,600, according to The New York Times.
President Joe Biden spoke on the ruling in a statement calling it “unacceptable.”
“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney,” he said. “It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”
How sports and writing helped Griner battle depression
Griner has previously opened up about being bullied in middle school for her appearance and weight. At the time, she had no outlet and wasn’t comfortable talking to her family. This led her to contemplate suicide. She also began to feel extreme anger, causing her to get into more trouble at school.
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“I used to get in trouble because I would act out in school, but my parents didn’t know why. They just thought I was being bad. So I would get in trouble. I would act out. All the wrong ways of doing it. So that’s why I share things that I did that were wrong,” Griner said, according to USA Basketball.
Eventually, Griner found her own coping mechanisms by turning to writing and sports.
“It was just a bad time, and I wouldn’t talk to anybody about it either. I didn’t talk to my parents. I didn’t talk to my siblings. I didn’t have a lot of friends back then. I had a couple, but I didn’t talk to them about it either. I used to write, but I would always
