THE SIDELINES : Friend on Trial in Martin Crash Tearfully Maintains Innocence

A tearful William Reedy testified today that he did not drive the pickup truck in which Billy Martin was killed but lied to authorities--including a priest--and said he was the driver “to protect Billy.”

The Detroit bar owner, accused of driving while intoxicated during the fatal wreck that killed Martin last Christmas Day, choked back tears when recalling how the five-time New York Yankees manager did not respond after the crash.

“I said to Billy, ‘If you can get up, I’ll push you out of the window,’ ” Reedy said of the crash’s aftermath. “Billy’s back was against the wall and his head slumped forward.”

Reedy, a longtime friend of Martin’s, is defending himself against the charges by claiming that he was not driving and was not intoxicated. He testified for 1 1/2 hours today.

The defendant said he did not find out Martin had died until he was told by a priest at a Binghamton hospital. Reedy testified that he told the priest he was driving the car to protect Martin, who had a long history of alcohol-related problems, including public fights with his players.

Reedy was asked by his attorney, Jon Blechman, if he had ever lied before on behalf of Martin.

“Yes, to the wife, many times,” Reedy said. As an example, Reedy said, he once lied in saying he had thrown the punches in a barroom fight when it was Martin who had been the combatant.