LEIGHTON LEVY, STAR Writer

A Serbian judge is to rule on May 19 whether to uphold or overturn the conviction of Jamaican basketball player Kimani Ffriend, who late last year was sentenced to serve three years' imprisonment for the death of a Serbian woman in November 2012.

In their appeal filed late last year, Ffriend's lawyers have asked for an acquittal or a retrial.

The player, who has been leaning heavily on his religious beliefs during his ordeal that has been ongoing for more than three years, said he believes his lawyers make a strong case in the appeal.

"Whatever decision they make will be in my favour in Jesus' name," he said. "I believe in the appeal; everything is in it."

Ffriend claims that he had no other option when he hit the woman. He said she stepped from the taxi and straight into his path on a dark and rainy night.

Ffriend was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter in September 2014 in connection with the death of Nevena Dragutinovic; a 30-year-old account executive who was struck by a car driven by Ffriend shortly after she alighted from a taxi cab about 4 a.m. on November 3.

The Superior Court in Belgrade had also extended the player's house arrest until the matter clears the appeal process.

Banned

He was also been banned from driving for two years in that country. Ffriend, 36, has been under house arrest since August 2013.

Whatever the judge decides, Ffriend can apply to be released on parole after he appears before the judge next month.

Media reports in Serbia said the court ruled that the decision to convict the Jamaican was arrived at based on Ffriend's blood alcohol level and that his vehicle was travelling at 55 kph (approximately 31 mph) when he ran a traffic light just before hitting the woman, who was the girlfriend of a popular Serbian singer.

The reports claimed the judge said she also considered the fact that the Jamaican had no previous convictions.