Cleaves is found not guilty
A jury acquitted former Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves Tuesday on charges alleging he sexually assaulted a woman in a motel room four years ago.
The verdict announced in a Genesee County courtroom in Cleaves’ hometown of Flint came after a nearly-two week trial that included the testimony of the Mount Morris woman, who told jurors that she had wanted to leave the motel room but Cleaves continued to force himself on her.
Evidence against Cleaves included a video that prosecutors contended showed the woman pulling away from Cleaves. Prosecutors argued she tried twice to escape from the motel room.
Cleaves did not testify. One of his attorneys, Frank Manley, said Cleaves had consensual sex with the woman who was in the motel room “of her own free will” after a charity golf tournament and visit to a bar. Cleaves’ attorneys told jurors that the woman lied about what happened because she felt guilty about cheating on her boyfriend.
The 41-year-old Cleaves faced a maximum of 15 years in prison had he been convicted.
GOLF
Former Wisconsin star Dan Woltman fired a 5under 67 and held a four stroke lead after the second round of the State Open Tuesday at the Geneva National Resort & Club.
Woltman, the defending champion, had four birdies on the front nine of the Trevino Course.
Patrick Stolpe of Scottsdale, Arizona, was second after a 67.
Marquette star Hunter Eichhorn had a 70 and was in third. He was seven shots back.
The tournament continues with a 36-hole finale Wednesday.
BASEBALL
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have arrested former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and are searching for ex-infielder Luis Castillo for their alleged links to a drug-trafficking and money-laundering ring, officials said Tuesday.
Dominican Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez said police are also actively pursuing the alleged leader of the ring, César Emilio Peralta, also known as “César the Abuser.”
Castillo was a three-time all-star, won three Gold Gloves and was a member of the 2003 Florida Marlins team that won the World Series.
Dotel set a record for playing on more MLB teams than any other player. The teams were: the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros and New York Mets.
Kluber is out: Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber has been shut down for two weeks with an abdominal strain, an injury he sustained during his comeback from a broken arm.
Kluber was pulled from a minor league start for Class AAA Columbus at Charlotte on Sunday after one inning because of abdominal tightness.
The Indians said the two-time Cy Young winner will not throw for two weeks.
Webb sidelined: Atlanta Braves reliever Jacob Webb is likely done for the season after being placed on the 60-day injured list with an ailing right elbow.
Webb had been one of the most effective pitchers in Atlanta’s shaky bullpen, with a 4-0 record, two saves and a 1.39 ERA in 36 appearances. But he had not pitched in the big leagues since going on the 10day IL with an elbow impingement July 13.
TENNIS
Chilean Juan Carlos Saez has been banned for eight years for match-fixing.
He is currently 1,082nd after his ranking dropped during the investigation. He hasn’t played a tournament since November.