NEW YORK -- A federal judge revoked the bond of Deniro Laster, a co-defendant in the NBA gambling case and a childhood friend of former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, on Tuesday afternoon for violating the conditions of his bond that included attempted witness intimidation by posting rat emojis on Instagram and contacting co-defendants and potential witnesses when there was a no-contact order.
Eastern District of New York judge LaShann DeArcy Hall said in her ruling that Laster was unlikely to abide by the conditions of his bond.
In his argument before the court, United States attorney David Berman described Laster's conduct as "utterly egregious."
DeArcy Hall and defense attorney Matthew Evan Corcoran had multiple contentious back-and-forth conversations during defense arguments. Corcoran called the rat emoji a "rat cartoon," prompting DeArcy Hall to admonish his use of word "cartoon."
"Rat cartoon? Come on," DeArcy Hall said. "You think this is my first rodeo. Let's not call it a rat cartoon. ... Don't minimize it with a rat cartoon."
DeArcy Hall questioned whether Corcoran "effectively conceded" Laster posted the emoji during his argument. Later, Corcoran told the court "sometimes a rat emoji is just a rat emoji." DeArcy Hall then asked Corcoran as part of her response: "Is that your argument? If it is, it's a bad one."
Corcoran also argued bond revocation often happens after a rearrest and Laster had not been rearrested.
"Tell me what happens often in these cases," DeArcy Hall said. "I love being mansplained to."
Corcoran also argued the person Laster contacted was not on a no-contact list. When a no-contact order is issued, the only contact that can happen is with lawyers present.
After Laster was remanded to custody, he took off his tie before being escorted out of the courtroom by United States marshals.
Prosecutors have alleged Rozier told Laster he would leave a March 23, 2023 game between his Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans early because of an injury. Laster allegedly provided sports bettors with that information, allowing the bettors to make bets on the under on Rozier's statistics. Rozier and Laster allegedly agreed to a roughly $70,000 bribe for that information.
Rozier sat at the defendant's table during the hearing. DeArcy Hall denied Rozier's request for a venue change from New York to Florida. The judge also heard arguments about a potential violation regarding a rule on public statements that might impact a fair trial. Rozier's attorney wrote in a filing he was responding to statements prosecutors made in its motion to revoke Laster's bond that were "falsely implying that [Rozier] was a member of a gang."
Berman and DeArcy Hall both stated in court Tuesday saying there is no belief Rozier is a gang member.
"If there's any confusion," DeArcy Hall said. " ... There are not allegations that Mr. Rozier is a member of a gang."