A balla tries to be an un-balla.

===============================================

NBA Star To Aid Md. Drug Fight

By Avis Thomas-Lester

NBA star Carmelo Anthony, the Baltimore native who drew sharp criticism for appearing in a DVD that celebrates witness intimidation, says he will work with authorities to campaign against drugs and violence in Maryland.

Anthony's precise role in such a campaign has not been determined, but state and federal officials hope his star power will add resonance to their message, particularly among urban youth.

Anthony, 20, appears briefly in "Stop Snitching," an underground DVD that has been circulating in Baltimore since November. The Denver Nuggets player, who does not condone violence or drugs on the DVD, said he was unaware of the DVD's message when he was on camera while visiting his former neighborhood.

"I'm completely against violence and drugs -- that's not me," Anthony said last week in a phone interview. "I just want to get the word out. I've lost friends to violence. I would never support anybody harming anyone. . . . I just want to help."

The DVD, for sale in at least one Baltimore shop, includes men talking about retaliation against suspected police informants. "To all you rat snitches lucky enough to get this DVD, I hope you catch AIDS," a man says at the beginning of the video.

The video has focused attention on witness intimidation, which prosecutors say is particularly a problem in Baltimore and Prince George's County. State lawmakers viewed portions of the video Tuesday at a hearing on three proposals that would stiffen penalties for witness intimidation.

On Thursday, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) criticized the DVD during his State of the State address. "Criminals in our state's largest city are employing a new tactic to scare witnesses and victims of crime -- intimidation by infomercial," Ehrlich said. "This now-infamous 'Stop Snitching' DVD is a wake-up call for all of us."

The DVD glorifies the drug trade and features threats of violence against people who cooperate with police. Anthony, who says nothing about drugs or violence on the DVD, is shown standing with a group of men who are talking and laughing.

Representatives from Ehrlich's office approached Anthony weeks ago about participating in a program to mitigate the effects of the DVD, authorities said.

Representatives for Anthony said they are negotiating with the governor's office about his potential role in an anti-violence and anti-drug campaign. The athlete's representatives also are talking to Rep. Elijah E. mings (D-Md.), whose district includes Baltimore. mings has criticized the DVD's potentially negative impact.

"There are no specifics that have as of yet been worked out," said Jervis Finney, Ehrlich's legal counsel. "But we have reported to the governor that [Anthony] wishes to cooperate."

mings said he has urged Anthony, through his representatives, to do a public service announcement but that the basketball star "seems a little reluctant."

The announcement "is very important," mings said. "The power of his image and the influence he could wield, especially among young people who see him as a role model, would have a positive impact."

Lindsay Kagawa, director of community affairs for California-based BDA Sports Management, which represents Anthony, said negotiations are centering on what platform would be most effective for the athlete.

mings, chairman of the House Government and Oversight Committee's Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources subcommittee, said the DVD will be shown at hearings on witness intimidation this spring.

"This video was produced in the district where seven members of a family were burned to death because they cooperated with police about drug dealers," mings said. He added that a substantial percentage of serious criminal cases never make it to trial because of witness intimidation. mings said the DVD and Anthony's appearance in it "caused me great concern."

Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy, said Jessamy ordered her staff to copy and distribute the DVD to lawmakers in Annapolis to help drive home the point that prosecutors need witness intimidation legislation -- and quickly.

Anthony said the controversy has taught him lessons about trying to go home again.

"I know I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. "I've learned that I have to know when I'm out there, who's around me."

Anthony has had public image troubles since leading Denver to the playoffs in his rookie season. Anthony alienated some fans last summer by appearing to pout during the Olympic Games in Athens, when U.S. coach Larry Brown played him sparingly. "I don't need a guy who doesn't buy in," Brown fumed after hearing Anthony's complaints about playing time.

Anthony said he was visiting Baltimore when some longtime friends approached and started talking to him. Another man videotaped them talking.

He heard about the video from a friend two months later but wasn't concerned because he didn't know its content.

"I blew it off because I didn't know what they were talking about," he said. "Then I started reading the articles. I was like, 'Let me find out what is going on.' "

The controversy came at a time when Anthony, who led Syracuse University to an NCAA championship in 2003 as a freshman, was receiving much of the blame for a disappointing start to Denver's season. Anthony's shooting accuracy has dropped from last season.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey, who has lobbied for witness protection legislation, credited Anthony for his willingness to cooperate not only on the wrongs of witness intimidation but also on the "gangsta mentality" of the hip-hop subculture.

"It is something all of us need to be focusing on," he said. "It's great to have someone of his stature and credibility participating."

Staff writers Eric Rich and Greg Sandoval contributed to this report.


© 2004 The Washington Post Company