LA Lakers: Reports Say Matt Barnes Arrested

Let’s give our good thoughts and prayers to new Laker’s forward Matt Barnes, who was reportedly arrested on a felony domestic violence charge.

From the Sacramento Bee:

Los Angeles Lakers player Matt Barnes was arrested and booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on Wednesday night on a felony domestic violence charge.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran said deputies responded to an incomplete 911 call from the 8100 block of Sunset Avenue at about 4:15 p.m., where they encountered Barnes and a woman “who lived with him and with whom he had a dating relationship.”

After speaking to Barnes and the woman, deputies determined that the two had been in a physical confrontation and Barnes had prevented the woman from talking to 911 operators. Curran said dispatchers heard the sound of a struggle in the background on the brief open line until it was disconnected.

Both parties had visible injuries but Barnes was determined to be the primary aggressor, Curran said.

Barnes is also charged with maliciously obstructing the use of a telephone line, Curran said. He posted a $50,000 bond and was released shortly before 9:40 p.m.

He is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Barnes, 30, who grew up in Sacramento and starred at Del Campo High School, signed a two-year contract worth $3.6 million in July with the Lakers as a free agent forward. From October 2004 to February 2005, Barnes played for the Sacramento Kings before being traded, along with Chris Webber and Michael Bradley, to the Philadelphia 76ers.

According to his profile on the NBA’s website, Barnes and his fiancée have twin boys. Attempts to reach Barnes and his family were unsuccessful Wednesday night.