Colt Running Back Lane Shot to Death by His Wife

Indianapolis Colt running back Fred Lane, 24, whose brushes with the law increased as his career faded, was shot to death Thursday by his wife, police said in Charlotte, N.C.

Lane was pronounced dead at his Charlotte home at 3:15 p.m. after an argument with his wife, Deidra. No charges were immediately filed.

Lane, a 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back, was the leading career rusher for the Carolina Panthers, who traded him to the Colts in April.

Police questioned Deidra Lane, along with family members and neighbors.

“The investigation to this point has revealed that Deidra Lane shot her husband during a domestic dispute,” the police said in a statement.

A 7-day-old infant was with Deidra Lane at the police station. The Lanes also have a 5-year-old son.

Jurisprudence

A St. Louis jury awarded $24.5 million to a former hockey player who claimed his name was stolen for use in a popular comic book series.

Tony Twist, formerly of the St. Louis Blues, sued Todd McFarlane, creator of the “Spawn” comic book and HBO series, on the grounds that the mobster character “Antonio Twistelli” was named after him without his consent.

Patrick D. Fitzsimmons, an off-duty police officer beaten unconscious outside a bar in Hoboken, N.J., has sued Penn State quarterback Rashard Casey, Syracuse safety Keeon Walker and a one-time teammate of theirs at Hoboken High.

Casey and the third man, Desmond Miller, have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault. Police said Walker tried to stop the attack and was not charged.

Auburn University lawyers said an arbitration panel will resolve the school’s claim that former football coach Terry Bowden forfeited an $825,000 home mortgage and car benefits when he became an ABC analyst. . . . Virginia Tech basketball player Rolan Roberts faces suspension after a school board decided there was sufficient evidence he sexually assaulted a female student, the Roanoke Times reported.

Miscellany

Dallas Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin, who is expected to retire because of a neck injury, has completed his four-year probation on drug charges. . . . Defensive tackle Larry Webster of the Baltimore Ravens will sit out at least eight games of the 2000 NFL season after he failed in an appeal to overturn his suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Webster tested positive for cocaine Feb. 23. It was his fourth violation of the league’s substance and alcohol abuse program. . . . The Tennessee Titans have received permission from the Green Bay Packers to discuss a comeback bid with Reggie White, the NFL’s all-time sack leader.

Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan denied he plans to retire after next season. Last week, Jazz forward Karl Malone said Sloan and John Stockton planned to retire after the 2000-01 season.

Perry Clark, who guided Tulane to seven postseason tournaments in 11 years, was picked as the new basketball coach at the University of Miami. . . . The NCAA reprimanded Iowa State Coach Larry Eustachy for his temper tantrum at the end of the Cyclones’ Midwest Regional final loss to Michigan State.

A USA Swimming steering committee has come up with a definition of what suits will be allowed in the U.S. Olympic trials, banning from the Aug. 9-16 event at Indianapolis any suit that extends below the knees or covers any part of the arms. . . . Cyclist Johnny Bairos of Redlands is recovering after a serious crash during a World Cup race last month in Mexico City, an accident that may jeopardize his Olympic prospects. U.S. Cycling is scheduled to announce the men’s and women’s track teams for the Sydney Olympics today, and it’s unclear whether Bairos will be able to race again by September.

The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed free-agent right wing Rick Tocchet to a two-year contract. . . . The Ottawa Senators signed center Martin Havlat, their top pick in the 1999 NHL entry draft, to a multiyear deal. . . . Tia Jackson, a former Stanford assistant, and Theon Carrier, a former Cypress College assistant, have joined the UCLA women’s basketball program as assistant coaches.