Dallas’ Irvin Must Stand Trial on Drug Charges, Judge Rules

Dallas Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin must stand trial on drug charges, a judge ruled Monday in rejecting several motions to have evidence suppressed and the indictment thrown out.

Criminal District Court Judge Manny Alvarez ruled on the defense motions after a daylong hearing in Dallas. However, he also has issued a gag order preventing all parties in the case from talking.

Irvin’s trial was set to begin today with jury selection.

His lawyers challenged the legality of the March 4 search that led to drug charges against Irvin and two women.

Irvin, 30, Jasmine Nabwangu, 22, and Angela Beck, 21, were indicted April 1 on cocaine and marijuana charges arising from a police search of Irvin’s hotel room in which they were having a party.

Irvin, who faces felony cocaine possession and misdemeanor marijuana possession charges, could receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

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Former Ram cornerback Darryl Henley, accused of conspiring to kill a judge and a former cheerleader, wants to disqualify all judges in the federal district from hearing his case.

“I would say it really is not appropriate for a judge in this district to hear the case,” David Reed, Henley’s attorney, said Monday outside the Los Angeles courtroom of U.S. District Judge James Ideman.

Ideman set a July 29 hearing for the motion to disqualify judges and scheduled a Nov. 5 trial date for Henley and three co-defendants.

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Bryan Fortay, who sued the University of Miami over what he claims were broken promises to make him the starting quarterback, settled with the school. Terms were not disclosed.

Fortay charged in the $10-million federal lawsuit that Coach Dennis Erickson reneged on a promise to make him the starting quarterback. Gino Torretta got the starting position instead and went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 1992. Fortay transferred to Rutgers for the ’92 and ’93 seasons.

Boxing

Michael Nunn defeated former Mexican national middleweight champion Everado Armenta at Houston when Armenta failed to get to his feet after being knocked to the canvas in the eighth round.

With a barrage of punches in the eighth, Nunn dropped Armenta to the canvas near the end of the round.

Armenta (21-8) stayed down as the count by referee Robert Gonzales reached nine. As Armenta struggled to regain his feet at that point, Gonzales waved the fight off, hitting the 10-count just before Armenta stood.

“I’m definitely on my way back,” Nunn said. “I’ve fought my way back into good shape. I’m ready to fight the best fighters in my division now. That goes for anybody out there--light heavyweight to super middleweights. Bring on the best.”

Nunn improved his record to 49-3 with 31 knockouts. It was his 42nd victory without a loss with trainer Joe Goossen in his corner.

American William Joppy, showing speed, confidence and control, stopped Shinji Takehara of Japan in the ninth round to win the World Boxing Assn. middleweight title at Yokohama, Japan.

British referee John Coyle stopped the scheduled 12-round bout 2:29 into the ninth round.

Joppy (22-0-1) floored Takehara (24-1) with a straight right in the first round.

Alex Zolken sustained an cut over his eye in training, and will be replaced by Jeremy Williams in Saturday’s World Boxing Organization heavyweight title fight against Henry Akinwande at Indio.

Basketball

Washington State point guard and scoring leader Donminic Ellison will not return in the fall for his senior season, Coach Kevin Eastman said.

Ellison, who was suspended twice for academic reasons during his three years at Pullman, was arrested for possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license in April.

Eastman said he is trying to help Ellison find another institution where he would have eligibility and a chance to complete a degree.

The 5-foot-10 guard from Inglewood averaged 10.8 points and 5.6 assists per game. As a sophomore in 1994-1995, he set a single-season assist record with 192, including 15 in one game.

Magic Johnson scored 40 points, leading his touring team to a 116-91 victory over Japan’s national squad at Fukuoka.

Johnson’s team led, 70-44, at halftime before 6,600 fans at Fukuoka Kokusai Center. It was the second game of a five-game series in Japan. Johnson’s team won the first game of the series, 138-69.

Hockey

Mike Murphy, a New York Ranger assistant and a former head coach of the Kings, is to be offered the Toronto Maple Leafs’ vacant coaching job today, the Toronto Star reported.

Miscellany

The International Hockey League’s San Francisco Spiders suspended operations for the 1996-97 season, owner David Pasant said. Pasant said he would use the upcoming season to seek investors or a new buyer for the team. . . . Azusa Pacific Athletic Director Terry Franson announced that he will give up his position to become the school’s dean of students. . . . Aimee Willard, the slain lacrosse and soccer star at George Mason, was buried at Brookhaven, Pa. State police investigators still had no suspects in her Thursday death.