Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 09, 2008 Shvat 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:24 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Maccabi TA star Will Bynum arrested in alleged hit-and-run By Roni Singer-Heruti Tags: police, maccabi Tel Aviv  Maccabi Tel Aviv center Will Bynum was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of running over a young man outside a south Tel Aviv nightclub and of fleeing the scene of the accident. The alleged victim, a 22-year-old man from Dimona, was in a serious but stable condition last night at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital. Bynum's remand was extended last night until today by the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court. Bynum told police that he did was unaware that he had hit anyone with his car. Police say that the player is cooperating with their inquiry, but that his version of events is substantially different from testimony provided by eyewitnesses. Advertisement Police believe that Bynum arrived at the G-Spot nightclub just before midnight on Friday to celebrate his 25th birthday. He was accompanied by his brother and was joined by a few friends, including his Maccabi Tel Aviv teammate and former Philadelphia 76ers star Vonteego Cummings. Police say there were also players from other teams at the nightclub, which is popular with professional athletes. "During the course of the night," the officer in charge of the investigation, Rafi Regev, said, "some sort of spat developed between Bynum and another group at the nightclub - members of the Hebrew Israelite Community in Dimona. Bynum rejected the youths' claim that the argument began when he made advances toward a woman from the Dimona group. Bynum said he was provoked into a scuffle when one of the group pushed him over. The scuffle quickly died down and the club's security staff were not called in. When Bynum, his brother and Cummings left the club at around 5:30, however, he was greeted outside by five youths from Dimona, and within minutes fists and stones were flying. According to eyewitnesses, Bynum and his brother ran to his car, which was parked nearby, got in and drove toward the group. After hitting one member of the group, Bynum sped off. Police say that when they arrived at Bynum's apartment some two hours later he did not appear surprised to see them, but protested his innocence when told of the accusations against him. An inspection of Bynum's car found obvious indications of an accident, including bloodstains. Cummings and Bynum's brother were detained, but released after submitting depositions. Eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence would seem to dispel any doubt that the 22-year-old was run over. Ppolice will now have to determine whether Bynum was aware that he had hit someone, or whether - in the heat of the moment - he was genuinely unaware that someone had been hurt. Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman Shimon Mizrahi, who represented Bynum in court (while David Federman provided the player with simultaneous translation of the hearing), told the court, "When Will Bynum left the nightclub, there were 20 people waiting for him outside, one of them carrying a knife." Before last night's arraignment, however, Mizrahi called a press conference at which he said that the team would punish Bynum and Cummings severely if it was proved that they were involved in any wrongdoing. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Oh Hillary Clinton throws everything but the kitchen sink at New Hampshire. Jewel of the Crown Diamond billionaire Lev Leviev buys most expensive property ever sold in Britain.

Today Online U.S. Prof. Finkelstein meets top Hezbollah official in Lebanon Responses: 357 Lebanese PM vows probe into Katyusha fire at Israel Responses: 119 Israel botched chance to free abducted soldiers at start of war Responses: 69 High security for Bush visit will cost Israel $25,000 an hour Responses: 64 Israeli Arab leaders slam boycott of visiting Jewish donors Responses: 96 More Headlines 00:47 Bush urges clear outline for a Palestinian state 22:18 Siniora vows to UN chief to probe Katyusha fire at Israel 22:59 Rice: U.S ready to help Egypt combat Gaza arms smuggling 01:31 PA security official: Al Aqsa Brigade has dismantled 20:46 Leviev buys most expensive new British property for $70M 22:08 Hamas: Barghouti among prisoners we want freed for Gilad Shalit 21:55 Peres elected 'Jewish Personality of 2007' by Argentine newspaper 18:36 Labor Court head: Nothing I can do to resolve lecturers, treasury clash 19:43 Trailing in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton feels the heat Previous Editions Select Day 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! AMERICANS CHOOSE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE U.S. citizen in Israel vote in Democrats-Abroad official global primary.

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved