remembering legendary actor james caan this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. good evening, everyone a guilty plea today in a russian court from brittney griner, the american basketball star the biden administration says has been unlawfully held griner admitting to carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil into russia her lawyer saying she did so accidentally, hoping griner s contrition will lead to a lenient sentence. as it stands, a conviction carries a possible maximum sentence of ten years in prison. today s development also being seen in this country as potentially the first step in a delicate diplomatic dance to win her release in a prisoner swap. the wnba standout the wnba standout also receiving a letter today from president biden in response to her plea not to be forgotten. andrea mitchell has details. reporter: on just the second day of her trial, wnba superstar brittney griner, handcuffed and carrying a photo of her wife, cherelle, pleading guilt
the whelans, but clearly, they re not offering a call or a visit with the president. lester andrea, thank you. another major story tonight. the downfall of british prime minister boris johnson. today johnson announcing he is stepping down amid mounting scandals but not leaving office yet. keir simmons reports tonight from london. reporter: tonight, britain, america s closest ally, descending into uncertainty after prime minister boris johnson s dramatic, defiant downing street statement today, blaming his own party for forcing him out. the herd instinct is powerful. when the herd moves, it moves how sad i am to be giving up the best job in the world but them s the breaks. reporter: and there we are classic boris johnson, no apology, simply an explanation for why he fought so hard as he spoke outside downing street, opponents booed. [ boos ] the world-famous boris brand, unkempt hair, and love of political stunts even when they went wrong. boris, you re going the wrong way!