Brittney Griner’s Wife Feels as If Her Wife is ‘a Hostage’ in New Interview

Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, sat down with CBS Mornings’ Gayle King and discussed the ongoing situation with her wife. She told King at one point that she feel to her “as if she’s [Brittney] is a hostage.”

This was her first interview since her wife was sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison.

Brittney is set to go back to the Russian court on October 25th for her appeal. The White House called the appeal hearing coming a “sham”.

When asked about the appeal Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “we are aware of Russia’s announcement that Brittney Griner will be forced to undergo another sham judicial proceeding. She should be released immediately.”

Brittney pled guilty to the charges against her and explained to the judge she did not intend to break the law or use cannabis in Russia. Her defense also provided a doctor’s note from the U.S. Doctor who prescribed cannabis use for pain relief from her many injuries.

During the interview, Cherelle describes two phone calls she has had with her wife. She said about the first phone call, “It was just so delightful just to hear her voice” adding they “could survive this.”

The second phone call she had with her wife concerned her. “You could hear that she was not okay. If you think about just a person’s suffering and when they have suffered to a max…she was at the max that day.”

 “I think I cried for about two, three days straight. It was the most disturbing phone call I’d ever experienced. It’s just the most still, I think, moment I’ve just ever shared with my wife. I didn’t have words” 

Cherelle didn’t dismiss that Brittney broke Russian law. “I do believe a crime should warrant a punishment, but it must be balanced,” Cherelle shared. “B.G. has truly suffered beyond her crime already.”

Cherelle recently met with President Joe Biden, in which Biden reassured her that he is fighting for Brittney’s release. She is holding out hope that the Biden Administration will be able to orchestrate a prisoner swap at some point.

Cherelle shared her fears of what may happen to Brittney if her appeal is denied. “Once that hearing is held, and the order is finalized, B.G.’s now in the position where she could be moved to a labor camp. My brain can’t even fathom it.”

Cherelle shared with King some of the things Brittney has been telling her. “She’s, like, saying things to me like, ‘My life just don’t even matter no more. You know, ‘I feel like my life just doesn’t matter. Like, I’m just being tossed around, like, for people’s enjoyment and gain.”

It doesn’t appear that much has changed in the Griner situation but the White House wants to make it clear they are working on it. They have offered a deal and are hoping Russia will consider it or at least bring a valid counter offer.

The full interview can be seen below: