Man held in death of former NFL player McKnight

harvey, la.» The Louisiana man who fatally shot ex-NFL player Joe McKnight during a road-rage dispute was jailed on a manslaughter charge as a sheriff angrily defended the investigation Tuesday, saying authorities “strategically” waited for days to make the arrest because they needed to find independent witnesses.

Ronald Gasser, 54, was initially questioned after Thursday’s shooting, but he was released without being charged, drawing heated criticism from protesters who said race played a role in the investigation. Gasser, who is white, was arrested late Monday. McKnight was black.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand pounded on the lectern during a news conference explaining the investigation.

“This isn’t about race. Not a single witness said ... one racial slur was uttered,” the sheriff said.

“Stand your ground” tested

B new orleans» A Louisiana prosecutor described the man who shot former Saints player Will Smith as a raging killer who first shot Smith’s wife in the legs, then shot an unarmed Smith once in the side and seven times in the back.

A defense lawyer for Cardell Hayes countered that he fired in self-defense, fearing that the angry NFL star was fetching a gun from his SUV’s glove box during their heated argument following a traffic accident in April.

Attorneys on both sides suggested Louisiana’s “stand your ground” law will be at issue during the trial of Hayes, 29, who faces life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. He’s also charged with attempted murder after wounding the retired NFL player’s wife, Racquel.

Video showed Smith’s SUV appearing to bump into Hayes’ Hummer before, blocks later, the Hummer slammed into Smith’s car. Both men then got out and exchanged angry words as Hayes displayed his handgun. Exactly what happened next will be the focus of the trial.

Ex-CSU-Pueblo player suspended

B green bay, wis.» Green Bay defensive tackle Mike Pennel has been suspended for the last four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy after serving a four-game ban to start the year.

Pennel, 25, will be eligible to return if the Packers make the playoffs.

Pennel was an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State University at Pueblo in 2014.

Colts’ Jackson suspended 4 games

B indianapolis» Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Footnote.

Colin Kaepernick is keeping his starting job after being benched on Sunday.