Webber’s Sentencing Is Deferred

A federal judge in Detroit on Tuesday deferred for about two years the sentencing of Sacramento King forward Chris Webber, who admitted lying to a grand jury about his dealings with a former University of Michigan basketball booster.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds ordered a provision to Webber’s bond that requires him to volunteer in a summer literacy program at a Detroit middle school in 2004 and 2005.

In July, Webber pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of criminal contempt a day before jury selection was to begin in his perjury trial.

Webber and his father, Mayce Webber Jr., were accused of lying about money authorities say the player received from ex-booster Ed Martin. The maximum penalty would have been five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“I don’t call this punishment,” Webber’s attorney, Steve Fishman, said. “Chris is looking forward to participating.”

Outside the courthouse, Webber apologized to his fans, thanked the judge and thanked the people of Detroit and Sacramento for their support.

The charges against Mayce Webber were dropped for “weak or inadmissible sufficient evidence,” according to a court order.

Martin, who died in February at 69, pleaded guilty in 2002 to conspiracy to launder money and told federal prosecutors he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent $616,000 to Webber and three other Michigan players.

Jurisprudence

Lawyers representing former NBA player Jayson Williams can have a judge review the personnel and employment records of five white state troopers involved in the manslaughter case against him, a judge ruled at Somerville, N.J.

The lawyers contend that three of the troopers’ records will indicate they arrested a disproportionate number of minorities and that two of the troopers were involved in bias incidents.

Prosecutors opposed the defense request, arguing that the troopers did not target Williams but were summoned to his New Jersey estate the night of the shooting.

Williams, who is black, is accused of recklessly handling the shotgun that killed Costas Christofi on Feb. 14, 2002. Williams could face nearly 55 years in prison. His trial is expected to begin in January.

Hockey

Montreal Canadien forward Chad Kilger was hospitalized after suffering multiple fractures around his left eye socket from an accidental high stick in training camp.

Doctors said there was bleeding in the eye area and that the sinuses were affected. They said it may take a few days to determine the exact extent of the injury.

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Columbus Blue Jacket left wing Geoff Sanderson bruised his left shoulder during a collision in a scrimmage and is out two to three weeks.

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Ric Jackman scored two goals and Joe Nieuwendyk scored one, leading the Toronto Maple Leafs over Jokerit of Finland, 5-3, in front of 14,000 in the NHL Challenge at Helsinki.

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Forward Cammi Granato and defenseman Angela Ruggiero were among seven two-time Olympians selected for the U.S. women’s hockey team that will play in the Four Nations Cup in Sweden on Nov. 5-9.

Miscellany

The NCAA urged coaches and administrators from every college to meet with community and police leaders to develop policies on sportsmanship and fan behavior.

The recommendation was included in a 17-page report on a sportsmanship summit held at Dallas in February involving nearly 150 college, community and law enforcement officials. The report said those involved with college athletics had a responsibility to ensure a safe and positive environment.

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AOL Time Warner agreed to sell the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers to a group of eight investors that includes attorney J. Rutherford Seydel, the son-in-law of Ted Turner, former owner of the teams.

The company said it also was selling the operating rights to Phillips Arena, where the teams play home games.

The other investors include Michael Gearon Sr., who was president of the Hawks from 1977 to 1986 and has been chairman of the team’s board of directors since 1986.

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Former U.S. Olympic men’s hockey coach Herb Brooks probably fell asleep at the wheel before his fatal car crash Aug. 11 in northeastern Minnesota, said a report released by the Minnesota State Patrol.