In brief: Man convicted in Thompson murders

An auto racing promoter was convicted Thursday in Pasadena, Calif., in the slayings of racing legend Mickey Thompson and his wife, who were shot to death in 1988 while leaving their gated home for work.

Michael Goodwin was a former business partner of Thompson, a motorsports figure who pursued land-speed records in Utah and drove everything from dragsters to midget cars.

Goodwin, 61, was accused of sending hit men to kill the couple as revenge for a business deal that went sour and led to a legal judgment of more than $700,000 against Goodwin.

Goodwin is facing life in prison.

“Kyle Dowd, a former Duke University lacrosse player, filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging that one of his professors unfairly gave him a failing grade because he was a member of the scandal-plagued team.

Meanwhile, the woman who said she was raped at a lacrosse party last March gave birth to a girl Wednesday at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, a person familiar with the case told the Associated Press.

“Sports announcer Jim Lampley denied wrongdoing after being arrested for investigation of felony domestic violence.

The 57-year-old Lampley was taken into custody Wednesday and booked on the felony charge and investigation of violating a restraining order and dissuading a witness, both misdemeanors, said Mary Helmen, the supervisor of investigators of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s domestic violence unit.

“After spending the holidays in a U.S. jail, Olympic gold medalist Myriam Bedard arrived in Canada where she faces parental child abduction charges.

Bedard flew home to Quebec City on a Royal Canadian Mounted Police jet in police custody and will spend the night at a detention center before her bail hearing today.

Bedard was arrested Dec. 22 for allegedly violating a child custody order by bringing her 12-year-old daughter to the United States.

Baseball

Pineiro deal finalized

The Boston Red Sox finalized a a $4 million, one-year contract with Joel Pineiro, in hopes that he will become a consistent closer. Pineiro has one save in 185 major league games.

“First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and the New York Yankees have reached a preliminary agreement on a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

“Infielder Mark Loretta and the Houston Astros agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that allows him to make an additional $1 million in performance bonuses.

“Keith Foulke and the Cleveland Indians finalized a $5 million, one-year contract. The deal includes about $2 million in performance bonuses and a mutual option for 2008.

Miscellany

Singh leads in Hawaii

Vijay Singh survived the raging trade wind at Kapalua to make six birdies for a 4-under-par 69, leaving him in a five-way tie for the lead as the PGA Tour season began at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Kapalua, Hawaii.

“Top-seeded Russia will play Spain in Perth, Australia, while the Americans head home with a winless record of 0-3 after a 3-1 loss to Australia in tennis’ Hopman Cup.

“Marlies Schild won her fourth slalom of the World Cup ski season in Zagreb, Croatia, to extend her lead atop the women’s overall standings.

“St. Francis basketball coach Bobby Jones was released from a Washington, D.C., hospital where he was being monitored for stroke-like symptoms.

“In Leksand, Sweden, the Czech Republic beat Finland 6-2 to finish fifth in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. In the relegation round, Slovakia routed Belarus 9-0 and Germany lost 5-3 to Switzerland.