FRAT MEMBERS SEEK DISMISSAL IN PENN ST. PLEDGE DEATH CASE
Lawyers for members of a now-closed Penn State fraternity asked a district judge Wednesday to dismiss some or all of the charges related to a pledge’s death, arguing their clients didn’t act recklessly or maliciously during a night of drinking and hazing.
The sixth day of a preliminary hearing wrapped up with attorneys for 11 of the 17 defendants still waiting to make final arguments before a judge will decide whether to send charges to county court for trial.
Lawyers for the five frat brothers who face the most serious offenses, including involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault, attacked the prosecution’s case in hopes that District Judge Allen Sinclair will at least pare down the hundreds of charges they collectively face.
The lawyer for Brendan Young, who was chapter president the night in February that 19-year-old Tim Piazza drank a dangerous amount and fell several times, argued Young saw nothing to make him think the pledge was at risk of dying.
Cavs complete trade with Celtics.
CLEVELAND» The Cleveland Cavaliers have finalized their blockbuster deal with Boston involving All-Star guards Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas by getting another draft pick from the Celtics.
The Cavs will get a second-round pick in 2020 to complete the package.
The Cavs had balked at pushing the trade through last week after Thomas underwent a physical. He tore a labrum last season in the playoffs. Cleveland wanted Boston to sweeten the deal.
Irving demanded a trade in July and the Cavs pulled off the swap by sending their second-best player to the Celtics for Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and an unconditional first-round pick next year.
Coyotes’ Doan calls it quits.
Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan is retiring after 21 seasons with the same franchise.
The 40-year-old Doan is the franchise’s all-time leader in nearly every category, finishing his career with 402 goals and 570 assists in 1,540 games.
Tech billionaire buys lacrosse team.
DIEGO» A tech billionaire SAN who played lacrosse at Yale has been awarded a franchise in the National Lacrosse League.
The team, which will begin play in November 2018 at the former San Diego Sports Arena, will be owned by Joe Tsai, 53, vice chairman and cofounder of Alibaba Group.
Forbes estimated Tsai’s net worth at $8.7 billion.
Tsai also reportedly wants to build a downtown arena near Petco Park, home of baseball’s Padres.
Former AP photo editor dies.
Michael Feldman, a top photo editor whose 40-year career took him from the gritty streets of Philadelphia to major international sporting events including the Olympics and soccer’s World Cup, died Wednesday. He was 70.
Feldman, who spent two decades as a photography news leader at The Associated Press before his 2008 retirement, died at his Philadelphia home, according to his son, Adam Feldman. He had suffered serious health problems in recent years.
Lynx top Fever in WNBA.
Maya Moore scored 18 points, Sylvia Fowles had 12 points and 13 rebounds for her 19th doubledouble, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 80-69 on Wednesday night.
Minnesota (25-7) won its 25th game for the sixth time in seven years and moved a game in front of Los Angeles for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Footnote.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have named Scott Roth as the coach of the inaugural Iowa Wolves G-League team. — The Associated Press