Ex-Laker Darius Morris died of heart disease; cocaine played a role, medical examiner says

Darius Morris, the Lakers’ second–round draft pick in 2011, died on May 2. The Los Angeles County medical examiner says the 33-year-old died of coronary artery disease. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Former Lakers and Clippers guard Darius Morris died at age 33 of coronary artery disease, although the “effects of cocaine, hydrocodone and ethanol” played a role, according to a report by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Morris, who played for the Lakers alongside his mentor Kobe Bryant after starring at Windward High in Mar Vista and the University of Michigan, was found dead May 2 by a Los Angeles-area apartment manager doing a welfare check.

The death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner. The last time Morris was known to be alive was April 22, when he spoke to his mother and complained of flu-like symptoms, the medical examiner’s report said. Foul play was not suspected.

In February, his father, Dewayne Morris Sr., and older brother, Dewayne Morris Jr., were found guilty of conspiracy and three counts of bank fraud following a jury trial in federal court. Dewayne Jr. also was found guilty of witness tampering.

Sentencing was postponed from June 3 until Aug. 5 in federal district court in San Diego for the judge to review three separate motions requesting a new trial filed by Anthony E. Colombo, the lawyer representing Dewayne Morris Jr. Columbo said Tuesday that he will file a fourth motion by Friday.

Read more: Darius Morris dies shortly after dad, brother convicted of bank fraud. No foul play, lawyer says

Colombo asserts that exculpatory material in the government’s possession pertaining to a cooperating witness was not shared with the defendants during trial. Colombo also said that if the motion is denied, he will appeal the case following sentencing.

Dewayne Sr., a career U.S. Postal Service supervisor based in Venice and Marina del Rey, was accused of obtaining thousands of postal money orders worth up to $5.1 million and Dewayne Jr. of fraudulently depositing them in bank accounts then withdrawing the cash.

Colombo said that Darius Morris had “absolutely no connection…

Source link : https://www.yahoo.com/news/ex-laker-darius-morris-died-173348227.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-06-18 17:33:48

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.