Former Lakers and Clippers guard Darius Morris died at age 33 from coronary artery disease, although the “effects of cocaine, hydrocodone and ethanol” played a role, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
Morris, who played for the Lakers with his mentor Kobe Bryant after starring at Windward High in Mar Vista and the University of Michigan, was found dead on May 2 by a Los Angeles apartment manager who was doing a welfare check.
The medical examiner ruled the death an accident. 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. No foul play was 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 after a jury trial in federal court. Dewayne Jr. was also found guilty of witness tampering.
The sentencing was postponed from June 3 to August 5 in federal district court in San Diego so that the judge could review three separate requests for a new trial filed by Anthony E. Colombo, the attorney who represented Dewayne Morris Jr. Columbo said Tuesday that he will file a fourth motion by Friday.
Read more: Darius Morris dies shortly after father and brother are convicted of bank fraud. No malicious intent, says lawyer
Colombo claims that exculpatory material in the government’s possession relating to a cooperating witness was not shared with the defendants during the trial. Colombo also said that if the motion is denied, he will appeal the case after sentencing.
Dewayne Sr., a career U.S. Postal Service supervisor based in Venice and Marina del Rey, was accused of obtaining thousands of money orders worth up to $5.1 million and dewayne Jr. of fraudulently depositing them into bank accounts and then withdrawing the money.
Colombo said Darius Morris “had absolutely no connection or involvement with the case. I found him to be pleasant and a gentleman every time I met him.”
Darius Morris was remembered for his exuberant personality and bright smile. He led Windward to a CIF State Division V championship and was named CIF Southern Section Player of the Year in 2009. He scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter of the state final.
He then set assist records at Michigan before being selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 2011 NBA draft.
Read more: Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni is investing in guard Darius Morris
In the 2012-2013 season, the Lakers made the playoffs and faced the San Antonio Spurs despite injuries to Bryant (torn Achilles tendon) and point guard. Steve Nash (broken leg). Morris came off the bench in the first two games, starting Games 3 and 4 after guard Steve Blake was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Although the Lakers lost, Morris had 24 points and six assists in Game 3 against All-Star guard Tony Parker. In Game 4, he contributed six assists along with eight points.
“Darius was definitely a super nice guy, he always had a smile,” said Mike Bresnahan, The Times’ Lakers beat writer for 12 years and now a Lakers analyst for Spectrum SportsNet.
“What I appreciated was that when he got to the NBA, he decided he was going to enjoy every minute of it. He was going to have fun. Darius never forgot that part of it.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
