Rodman’s Worming Off Hook

Flamboyant professional basketball player Dennis Rodman, who wed former “Baywatch” actress Carmen Electra 10 days ago in a chapel in Las Vegas, filed annulment papers Monday, according to representatives of the bride and groom.

Rodman, who lives in Newport Beach, stated in a petition filed in Orange County Superior Court that he had not acted out of a “sound mind,” said Gerry Phillips, the Orange County-based attorney who filed the petition on behalf of the Chicago Bulls star.

“It was early in the morning,” Phillips said, “and he had been out partying, and he didn’t have all his faculties about him when the event occurred. He doesn’t think, on the basis of that, that it was a valid contract.”

“They married at 7 a.m. . . . and separated the same day,” Phillips said. “It’s my understanding that they have not been together since.”

Rodman signed the petition of nullity but could not be reached later for comment.

Electra’s publicist, Cindy Guagengi, said, “Carmen and Dennis spoke several days ago and mutually agreed” to end the marriage.

Rodman and Electra had dated for several months. After the wedding, Rodman’s foster parents, Pat and James Rich of Bokchito, Okla., told “Inside Edition” they had met the bride and hoped she would be a good influence on Dennis.

“I figured this could be the girl he marries,” Pat Rich said.

Other Rodman intimates apparently had reservations. Rodman’s Orange County-based agent, Dwight Manley, said Rodman had been “intoxicated to the point that [he] couldn’t speak or stand” at the time of the wedding and said his client was surrounded by “leeches.”

A letter said to have been written by Rodman was released the next day, repudiating Manley’s comments and avowing Rodman’s love for Electra.

But Phillips says Rodman didn’t write it.

“I think that maybe [Electra’s] publicity person or agent or something was very anxious to bring this thing to the press,” Phillips said. “Among the things that were done, as I understand it, was some kind of a press release that was prepared by somebody other than by Dennis.

“It was alleged, among other things, that they were a happy couple. . . . but it’s my understanding that is not in Dennis’ handwriting and certainly does not comply with where Dennis was at the time, emotionally. I don’t know where he was physically.”

As to the question of how Electra could have forced the 6-feet-7, 220-pound Rodman to say “I do”?

“I think he could have been 300 pounds,” said Phillips . “She is a very attractive woman and presumably is a very persuasive one.”

Times wire services contributed to this report.