Peter Graf to Remain Jailed After Appeal Fails

The father of tennis star Steffi Graf will remain in a German prison on tax evasion charges after losing his appeal Monday.

Peter Graf was described by his lawyer as suffering unusual mental depression because of separation from his family. Graf has spoken to his wife only by telephone and has not directly contacted his daughter, who won the recent U.S. Open.

Graf, in prison since Aug. 3, had offered $10.3 million in bond in a 22-page appeal. His request for the quashing of a warrant that ordered his arrest and called him a risk for flight to avoid prosecution was rejected by a magistrate in Mannheim, Germany, where he is being held.

Graf’s application now moves on to the state court in Mannheim, where a decision is expected in a few days.

Graf’s application for release has been vigorously opposed by state prosecutor Peter Wechsung, who argued that the charges involve serious, criminal tax evasion, and not simple mistakes, bad advice or standing by while others acted.

Wechsung said last week that Steffi Graf would not be placed in investigative custody, but that she remains under investigation in the tax evasion case.

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A former UNLV football player who was destined for “a bright career and a bright future” was gunned down by a man who then committed suicide, police said.

Randy Brewer, 22, a walk-on from Denver who became a starting tight end for the Rebels, was shot and killed as he left a Las Vegas nightclub before dawn Sunday.

A female companion, whose name has not been released, was wounded and reported in serious condition.

The alleged assailant fled the scene and tried to steal a car at gunpoint, then shot and killed himself when confronted by Las Vegas Metro Police.

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Scott Croteau, a star high school athlete and straight-A student whose disappearance sparked a massive, 10-day search, killed himself, authorities said in Lewiston, Me.

Olympics

Fewer than half of the fans who sent in mail orders for tickets to the Atlanta Games will get their first choice, organizers said.

Most of those who ordered tickets will get something, however. Organizers, who had urged people to list second and third preferences for each seat ordered, said about 87% of the ticket orders received so far were filled. But only about 47% received one or more of their first choices.

Hockey

Jacques Lemaire, who turned the New Jersey Devils from a perennial playoff tease into a Stanley Cup champion in only two years, was given a multiyear contract extension.

One week and 14 pounds later, goaltender Grant Fuhr has been reinstated by the St. Louis Blues.

Fuhr, who was suspended by Coach Mike Keenan last week after failing to complete the team’s physical, weighed in over the weekend at 205 pounds, down from 219. The six-time all-star reportedly declined to ride an exercise bike during the team’s physical last week.

Miscellany

The United Baseball League, announced with great fanfare last November, said it will postpone its initial season from 1996 to 1997 because of stadium problems.

The league has said it will play in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, New Orleans, Puerto Rico and central Florida. The league plans to add two teams.

Unseeded Nanne Dahlman of Finland upset fifth-seeded Silvia Farina of Italy, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, in the opening round of the Moscow Open women’s tennis tournament.

South Africa was ordered to return two All-Africa Games medals after Karen Botha, a relay runner and long jump bronze medalist, tested positive for a banned stimulant.

Supported by several leading players, Diego Maradona announced the launch of an international soccer players’ union to promote and safeguard players’ rights.

Maradona met in Paris with 14 of the sport’s top players, among them Eric Cantona of France, Rai of Brazil, George Weah of Liberia and Gianluca Viali of Italy.

Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, who insists the end of his boxing career is near, returns to the ring tonight in Bay St. Louis, Miss., against Alabama policeman Ed Donaldson.