Blades Declines To Take Stand As Defense Rests

Seahawks receiver Brian Blades declined to take the stand Wednesday in his manslaughter trial in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as the defense rested its case without calling any witnesses.

Closing arguments were set for this morning.

The prosecution concluded its case by staging a courtroom scuffle that seemed to contradict the state’s argument about the 1995 shooting death of Brian Blades’ cousin, Charles Blades.

Prosecutors had characterized the shooting as a crime of anger, while the defense said the death was “a tragic accident.”

As prosecutor Peter Magrino scuffled with Broward County Sheriff’s Office firearms expert Carl Haemmerle, Brian Blades’ unloaded semi-automatic pistol inadvertently fired - apparently bolstering the defense’s claims that the gun discharged accidentally.

The defense says a drunken Charles Blades died trying to play peacemaker between his two cousins - Brian and his younger brother Bennie Blades, a safety with the Detroit Lions.

The shooting happened in the early hours of July 5, following an Independence Day celebration.

Blackmon signs 1-year deal

The Seahawks have signed strong safety Robert Blackmon to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus and a $500,000 base salary. It also includes incentives that could push the deal to as much as $2.158 million.

The Seahawks couldn’t get Blackmon to sign a $1.858 million tender when they named him their franchise player in February.

“With the tender, they could have pulled it back at any time,” Jim Sims, Blackmon’s agent, said Tuesday. “This way, Robert already has his money.”

With Monday’s contract signing, the Seahawks save $358,000 under their salary cap and can reuse their franchise tag after this season.

Irvin case thrown out

Prosecutors vowed to seek new indictments quickly after drug-possession charges against Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin and two topless dancers were thrown out on a technicality.

State District Judge Manny Alvarez dismissed the charges because a member of the grand jury that indicted the All-Pro receiver lived in Tarrant County, not Dallas County.

“This particular grand juror honestly believed that he lived in Dallas County,” First Assistant District Attorney Norm Kinne said. “He was just barely across the line.”

Because the case is still pending, Alvarez cautioned that a gag order was still in effect.

Irvin, who had been scheduled to stand trial June 24 on cocaine and marijuana possession charges, left the courthouse without comment following the pre-trial hearing. He had faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Kinne said his office plans to resubmit the case stemming from a March 4 drug bust at an Irving motel as soon as possible.

“It will be taken back to another grand jury quickly. I’d say within a week,” he said. “And we expect a quick indictment.”

Henley denies charge

Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darryl Henly denies conspiring to murder a federal judge and an ex-cheerleader who had roles in the cocaine case in which he was convicted, his attorney said.

“Darryl is very troubled and concerned and upset at the government’s continuing efforts at targeting him and family members and friends, and he denies all allegations,” defense attorney David Reed said.

A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted Henley in the murder conspiracy.

Henley, 29, was accused of trying to put together cocaine and heroin deals from his jail cell to finance the contract killings for $100,000 apiece. He and three others were named in the 13-count indictment.

Modell rips critics

Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell lashed out at critics of the design for his team’s planned new stadium, promising it will be the best football stadium built.

Modell also lashed out at what he called “unnamed sources” for criticizing the design of the proposed $200 million, state-funded stadium.

“What is wrong with this stadium? I defy anybody to come forward and tell me. If it’s valid, we’ll change it,” Modell said.

Several city Architectural Review Board members and other officials have complained the current design is unimaginative and are pressing for changes and possible delays of up to a year.

Critics complain the current design does not equal that of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which opened to rave reviews and sellout crowds charmed by the ballpark’s yesteryear feel and downtown location.

Sammie Smith sentenced

Former Miami Dolphins running back Sammie Smith was sentenced in Orlando, Fla., to seven years in prison and fined $10,000 for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine.

Smith, 29, pleaded guilty in March after an indictment charged him with one count of conspiracy to distribute crack and powder cocaine, seven counts of distribution of crack cocaine and two counts of distribution of powder cocaine.

In addition to the prison term and fine, U.S. District Judge Patricia C. Fawsett sentenced Smith to three years of supervised release.

Jett passes speedy Trapp

Oakland Raiders receiver James Jett won the NFL’s fastest-man competition over the weekend and, in doing so, accomplished an even more impressive feat: He silenced loquacious teammate James Trapp.

“There was nothing he could say,” said Jett, who ran the 60-yard sprint in 6.10 seconds to Trapp’s 6.15. “I beat him hands down.”

St. Louis receiver Alexander Wright, who won the competition when he played for the Raiders, finished third in the three-man final. Trapp is also a former winner of the made-for-TV event.

As the winner, Jett earned $15,000.

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