Tuesday, October 29, 2002

CONSIDERING PLEA DEAL: Derrick Rogers, Miami Dolphins MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Dolphins linebacker Derrick Rodgers was given an extension Friday to decide on a plea offer on charges he kicked and punched his wife and attacked a man with her at a restaurant. A new hearing is Nov. 15. If Rodgers doesn't accept the offer, he will go on trial Nov. 25. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Rodgers has pleaded innocent to five charges. Under the offer, he would be sentenced to three years' probation. 5:43:02 PM

CHARGED: Deuce McAlister, New Orleans Saints KENNER, La. -- Associated Press reports New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister was arrested for driving with a suspended license after he was caught speeding. McAllister was pulled over Saturday morning on his way to the Saints' practice facility for driving 70 mph in a 40 mph zone, coach Jim Haslett said. McAllister's license was suspended because he had not paid a ticket. McAllister was booked at the Kenner jail, then transported to a Jefferson Parish jail where he was released on bond, police said. The bond amount and length of time McAllister spent in jail was unknown. 5:40:31 PM

CHARGES REFILED: Tamotu Tagoa'i, Nebraska Football LINCOLN, Neb. -- Associated Press reports prosecutors will refile assault charges against a Nebraska football player for failing to comply with a program in which he was ordered to do community service. Tamotu "Junior" Tagoa'i was accused of hitting his girlfriend in the jaw at their apartment on Oct. 23, 2001. Lancaster County Attorney Gary Lacey said Tuesday his office decided to file third-degree assault charges. Among the unmet requirements cited were failure to verify completion of 30 hours of community service and a mandatory domestic violence prevention course, Lacey said. 5:37:21 PM

CHARGED: Peter Martocci, Hofstra Football MINEOLA, N.Y. -- Associated Press reports a Hofstra football player posted $100,000 bond on Tuesday following his arrest on charges he raped and sodomized a female student on a campus athletic field. Peter Martocci pleaded innocent Monday, his lawyer, Bruce Eiber, said. Martocci, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive lineman, was automatically suspended from the team because he was charged with a felony, Hofstra spokesman Michael DeLuise said. According to prosecutors, Martocci met the 18-year-old woman at a bar Saturday night, and as the two were walking together early the next morning, he attacked her when she refused to go to his dorm room, police said. He was arrested Sunday. If convicted, the 19-year-old player could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. 5:33:38 PM

LITIGATION: Bobby Knight v. Indiana U. BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Associated Press reports attorneys for Indiana University and former basketball coach Bob Knight agreed to extend the deadline for their talks on settling issues related to Knight's dismissal. Knight, who was fired Sept. 10, 2000, by IU President Myles Brand, gave the school notice early 2001 that he might sue for wrongful dismissal. That notice claimed he suffered more than $7 million in damages, including lost income, mental humiliation and interference with his prospects for employment. Friday was the deadline for talks between the two sides about a possible settlement of the issues. IU spokesman Bill Stephan said Saturday that attorneys decided to extend the talks again by seven to 10 days. 5:29:17 PM

CHARGES DISMISSED: Tony Cole, Georgia Basketball ATHENS, Ga. -- Associated Press reports misdemeanor assault charges against former Georgia basketball player Tony Cole were dismissed Thursday when the accuser decided not to pursue the case. Cole, dismissed from the basketball team last month for misconduct, was accused of assaulting a woman in her car Aug. 19. He also was accused of making harassing telephone calls to the woman and her female roommate. 5:26:54 PM

DENIAL: Najeh Davenport, Green Bay Packers MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Green Bay Packers fullback Najeh Davenport agreed Tuesday to do community service to settle charges he broke into a university dormitory and defecated in a sleeping woman's closet. Davenport, however, continued to deny the charges.  "Where's the evidence? Where's the manure?" Davenport asked outside court. "I know I didn't do it — I just wanted to get it over with." Details of the player's service were not released during his court appearance. He must sign up for the program by Nov. 12. If he completes the program, a felony charge of second-degree burglary and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief will be dropped. Prosecutor Jonathan Schwartz said by telephone he couldn't comment on specific evidence because the case could go back to court if Davenport fails the diversion program.  But, he added: "If there was no evidence in the case, we wouldn't have brought any charges." 5:23:24 PM

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