By Kim Minugh
kminugh@sacbee.com
The District Attorney's office has asked for more time to decide whether to file domestic violence charges against former Sacramento Kings player Matt Barnes.
Barnes, a Del Campo High graduate who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, appeared for his scheduled arraignment Monday, but no charges had been filed, according to authorities.
Instead, prosecutors asked for more time to investigate the Sept. 8 incident, in which Sacramento County sheriff's deputies responded to a Fair Oaks home after a 911 hang up. They found Barnes and his fiancée, Gloria Govan, with visible injuries, according to sheriff's officials.
Deputies determined Barnes to be the primary aggressor and arrested him on suspicion of domestic violence and destructing a telephone line.
After the incident, both Barnes and Govan denied any abuse took place.
Barnes is scheduled to return to court Oct. 18, at which point the DA's office will announce whether charges will be filed.
His attorney, Tom Johnson, applauded the DA's office for not moving forward with charges this week. "We are confident the decision they will ultimately reach is that while there was an argument and some discord, nothing criminal occurred," he said.
Call The Bee's Kim Minugh, (916) 321-1038.
Previous coverage:
NBA's Matt Barnes and fiancee deny he physically abused her - Sept. 10, 2010









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