OJ’s ex-lawyer contradicts his testimony
LAS VEGAS — O.J. Simpson’s former lawyer defended himself point-by-point Friday against allegations he botched the former football star’s armed-robbery trial, and he testified Simpson actually knew his buddies had guns when they went to a hotel room together to reclaim some sports memorabilia.
Yale Galanter took the stand at an often combative hearing on Simpson’s claim that his conviction should be thrown out on the grounds that his attorney did a poor job representing him.
Galanter denied giving Simpson the go-ahead to retrieve the photos and footballs he believed had been stolen from him. He denied keeping Simpson in the dark about plea bargain offers that carried only a few years in prison. He said his client agreed all along with the decision not to put him on the stand.
And he disputed Simpson’s testimony from earlier this week when the former NFL star said he didn’t know anyone in the hotel room had taken along guns.
“When you look at the entire trial, I don’t think I could have fought harder, done more,” Galanter said of his handling of the case. “I put every ounce of blood, sweat and soul into it.”
Simpson, 65, was found guilty in 2008 of kidnapping and armed robbery over the hotel room episode and was sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison. The conviction came 13 years after the sensational Trial of the Century, where he was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and a friend of hers.
Atletico tops Real Madrid, wins Copa del Rey
MADRID — The Copa del Rey trophy was supposed to be coach Jose Mourinho’s parting gift for Real Madrid, or at least a consolation prize after a season that will be remembered for his abrasive antics and his team’s failure to win silverware.
Instead, Atletico Madrid ended a 14-year winless run against its city rival by taking the title on Friday, coming from behind for a cathartic 2-1 win in extra time after Mourinho and his star forward Cristiano Ronaldo were sent off.
Brazilian defender Miranda headed in Jorge “Koke” Resurrecion’s cross in the eighth minute of extra time to give Atletico its 10th Copa del Rey title and first since 1996.
“This is for our fans that have suffered for 14 years,” Atletico’s captain Gabi Fernandez said moments before he received the trophy from Spain’s King Juan Carlos. “This team worked hard for this and deserved it.”
Ronaldo appeared to have put Madrid on its way to yet another victory over its crosstown rivals when he headed in a goal in the 14th minute. But Atletico refused to fold and Radamel Falcao set up Diego Costa to level 10 minutes before halftime.
Browns sign quarterback Brian Hoyer
CLEVELAND — Brian Hoyer is coming home to play for the first team he ever loved.
Hoyer, who grew up rooting for the Browns and starred at Cleveland’s Saint Ignatius High School, signed a two-year contract on Friday, adding veteran experience to a troublesome position.
Hoyer agreed to the deal Thursday but had to pass a physical before it could be finalized. Hoyer was released earlier this week by the Arizona Cardinals.
Hoyer will compete for a backup job with the Browns, who expect Brandon Weeden to beat out Jason Campbell to be the starter. Hoyer will get his chance to work his way up the depth chart, but he has a long climb.
Hoyer was signed by New England as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and spent three seasons backing up Tom Brady. He was briefly with Pittsburgh before he was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals. He appeared in Arizona’s final two games last season, completing 30 of 53 passes for 330 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Seahawks’ Irvin suspended four games
RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season on Friday after the league announced he violated the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Irvin will be eligible to participate in all offseason activities and preseason practices and games, but will be suspended without pay for the opening four games at Carolina, home for San Francisco and Jacksonville and at Houston. Irvin will be eligible to return to Seattle’s active roster on Sept. 30 following the Seahawks’ Week 4 game against the Texans, but only after losing a quarter of his salary for the season.
Irvin, the Seahawks’ first-round pick in the 2012 draft, was scheduled to make $814,645 in base salary for the 2013 season. His loss could be a significant blow for a team that has become a popular pick to contend for a spot in the Super Bowl. Irvin was expected to start at defensive end with Chris Clemons likely to miss the start of the season while recovering from knee surgery after being injured in Seattle’s playoff win at Washington last January.
Jets’ Goodson facing drug, weapons charges
NEWARK, N.J. — New York Jets running back Mike Goodson is facing drug and weapons charges after he was found in a car with an acquaintance early Friday morning on Interstate 80 in New Jersey.
According to state police, Goodson was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Garant Evans of Roselle. After receiving a 911 call from a tow-truck driver at about 3:15 a.m., police found them stopped in the left lane of Interstate 80 west in Denville, about 25 miles west of New York City.
State Police Sgt. Adam Grossman said both men were charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons offenses stemming from a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun found in the vehicle. Grossman wouldn’t say whether either man was the registered owner of the gun.
Both men were being held Friday pending transfer to the Morris County jail, Evans on $150,000 bail and Goodson on $50,000 bail. It wasn’t immediately known when they were scheduled to appear in court.
The 25-year-old Goodson, from Spring, Texas, played three seasons for Carolina and one for Oakland before the Jets signed him to a three-year, $6.9 million deal, which includes a $1 million signing bonus, in March.
Cowboys keep Free at much lower salary
IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have significantly reduced right tackle Doug Free’s salary after a difficult season that ended with him as a part-time player.
The Cowboys reworked the final two years of Free’s contract, and will he make $3.5 million in 2013 instead of $7 million. Dallas probably would have cut Free if the five-year veteran had rejected a salary cut.
Free is now set to make another $3.5 million in 2014, but that money isn’t guaranteed. He originally had $15 million left on the four-year, $32 million deal he signed in 2011.
Pacers say Hill to undergo concussion tests
INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers guard George Hill will have another concussion t est before Saturday’s home playoff game.
Hill missed Thursday night’s game after complaining of headaches. He was diagnosed with a concussion. NBA policy requires players to pass a concussion test before returning to action. Hill did not practice Friday, and coach Frank Vogel said he had not spoken with him. A team spokesman said Hill is still listed as day-to-day.
From wire sources
