News -- July 7, 2022: As she asked the Court for leniency, detained WNBA star Brittney Griner admitted to carrying hashish oil into Russia on Thursday. She said that she had done it "inadvertently" while pleading

with the judge for leniency.

It is unlikely that the action will quickly put an end to her trial in Khimki, Russia. In Russian criminal courts, even after a guilty plea, the judge will continue to read the whole case file into the record, which could take weeks or months.

The court heard testimony from Griner, who claimed that she carried vape cartridges accidently and did not plan to contravene Russian law when she was stopped at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on February 17.

"I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law," Griner's statement to the judge in English was translated for the court into Russian because she "didn't want to break the law."

A court appearance was set for July 14. If found guilty of large-scale drug transportation, Griner, who the judge for "time to prepare" for her testimony, may spend up to 10 years in jail.

After the hearing, deputy head of mission Elizabeth Rood at the American embassy in Moscow told reporters that she had spoken with Griner in court and given him a letter from President Joe Biden. 

"She's eating well, she's able to read books and under the circumstances she's doing well,'' Rood said of Griner. "I would like again to emphasize the commitment of the U.S. government at the very highest level to bring home safely Ms. Griner and all U.S. citizens wrongfully detained as well as the commitment of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to care for and protect the interests of all U.S. citizens detained or imprisoned in Russia."

Before the hearing on Thursday, Russian police led Griner, who was shackled and wearing a bright red T-shirt and sports pants, through a group of reporters and into the courtroom.

According to sources, Griner's guilty plea to narcotics possession and smuggling charges was an effort to negotiate a prisoner swap that may return Griner home and an acknowledgment that there was no chance of her being exonerated.

The trial, which was in its second day, has been compared as "theater" by U.S. officials and Russia specialists, with a guilty finding being assumed from the outset.

According to the White House, Biden called Griner's wife on Wednesday to reassure her that he is doing all in his power to secure the athlete's immediate release. After Biden read a letter from Griner in which she expressed her dread of never returning home, they engaged in conversation.

The trial's duration is unknown, but Griner's case is anticipated to be resolved in a deal that returns one or more Russians who are currently in American custody to Russia in exchange for the release of Griner and perhaps another American, Paul Whelan, who has been held in Russia since December 2018.

Viktor Bout, a weapons dealer who is currently serving a 25-year term in the US for aiding terrorism, has been the subject of a release request from Russia. But according to reports, there are many in the Biden administration who have advocated against releasing Bout, also known as "the Merchant of Death," from prison.

Experts have stated that regardless of the circumstances, Griner would almost probably have to admit guilt as part of any agreement to be released. According to a source familiar with the plan, Griner gets that out of the way by entering a guilty plea. One insider stated that the plan was to merely bring her home as quickly as possible and deal with the ramifications when she arrives, despite the fact that it might complicate how the public reacts to her situation.

Ryabkov stated that " "there are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about any further steps'' until Griner's trial is over. It is "makes it difficult to engage in detailed discussion of any possible exchanges.'' he cautioned, citing U.S. criticism that has labeled Griner as having been unlawfully detained and disparaged the Russian justice system.

"The persistence with which the U.S. administration ... describes those who were handed prison sentences for serious criminal articles and those who are awaiting the end of investigation and court verdicts as 'wrongfully detained' reflects Washington's refusal to have a sober view of the outside world,'' Ryabkov said.

Due to the absence of two scheduled witnesses, the trial of the two-time Olympic gold medalist and star of the Phoenix Mercury was postponed after it began last week.  Such delays are common in Russian courts. Authorization is given for Griner to remain in custody through December 20, 2022.

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington