Malik Beasley pleads guilty to a felony count of threats of violence

Minnesota Timberwolves player, Malik Beasley pleaded guilty to a felony count of threats of violence and faces 120 days in the workhouse, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

Beasley, 23, appeared remotely in an afternoon hearing before Hennepin County District Court Judge Hilary Caligiuri. As part of the negotiations in the case, prosecutors agreed to drop a felony fifth-degree drug possession charge.

In addition, if Beasley successfully completes his three years of probation, the felony will be reduced to a misdemeanor on his record. He will also be allowed to petition for that reduction after he completes the second year of probation.

When asked by Judge Caligiuri how he pleaded to the charge, Beasely said, “I plead guilty.”

In a routine questioning by his attorney Ryan Pacryga about whether he understood the rights he was giving up and the details of the plea agreement, Beasley answered at one point, “I understand completely."

Later, his attorney explained that the threats of violence charge can be enhanced, meaning that if he commits the same crime or another crime of violence, the new crime could carry higher penalties because of his guilty plea in this case. His lawyer asked if he understood.

“Yes sir, I’ve learned my lesson,” Beasley responded.

Pacryga then took Beasley through the facts of the case. He agreed that in the afternoon of September 26, outside of his home in the 18500 block of County Road 6 in Plymouth there had been quite a bit of traffic because the house had been incorrectly listed as being on the Parade of Homes. He also agreed he had made efforts to get the problem corrected.

He admitted that he was getting frustrated and finally approached a car that was stopped at the end of his driveway and pointed a gun at the occupants and told them to leave. His attorney asked him if he could have retreated, rather than point the weapon.

“I could have retreated, I learned my lesson,” Beasley said. “I was not in my right mind. I’m ready to move on.”

Senior Hennepin County Attorney Dan Allard followed up and Beasley agreed there were multiple people in the car. Allard asked if one was a child.

“I couldn’t tell exactly the age, but younger than the people in the front,” Beasley responded.

He also agreed having a rifle while confronting the people in the car would cause fear and it was reckless of him to do so.

Judge Caligiuri, as is typical in guilty pleas, told Beasley that she found he had made a knowing waiver of his rights and guilty plea and she would defer accepting the plea until his sentencing date on February 9. She also ordered a pre-sentence investigation, explaining to Beasley that he would be interviewed by a probation officer and he was to cooperate.

Beasley’s wife, Montana Yao was also charged with the fifth-degree drug possession. Her next court appearance is December 29.