Judge in Hernandez case weighs gag order
FALL RIVER, Mass. — A Massachusetts judge may impose a formal gag order in the murder case against former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez after his attorneys accused the state of allowing leaks that jeopardize his right to a fair trial.
The defense said at a Fall River Superior Court hearing that the prosecution has allowed out-of-court statements about the case. They say Hernandez is entitled to a fair trial before a jury that hasn’t been “poisoned” by prejudicial information.
Prosecutors deny the allegations and say no leaks have come from the investigative team.
The two sides agree in principle on a gag order, but the judge asked them both to submit specific proposals.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in the June shooting death of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old semi-professional football player.
Death Valley puts brakes on races
LOS ANGELES — The Badwater 135, a sweat-lathered, endurance race that runs through the hottest place in the world in the middle of the summer will be taking a detour in 2014 after Death Valley National Park placed a moratorium on cycling and running competitions until it can determine how safe they are.
No timetable was given for the park’s safety study, which was announced in a brief notice on Death Valley’s website.
The Badwater 135 is perhaps the best known of AdventureCorps endurance events. It’s a 135-mile run that begins in Death Valley’s Badwater Basin, which at 282 feet below sea level is the lowest point in North America.
It continues across a barren desert where summer temperatures can top 130 degrees, going on to take runners across three mountain ranges. It finally ends near the 8,300-foot level of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states.
Spanish tennis player receives 5-year ban
LONDON — The Tennis Integrity Unit says Spanish player Guillermo Olaso has been banned from the sport for five years and fined $25,000 for match-fixing.
Olaso was found guilty of three corruption offenses in 2010, including directly or indirectly seeking to “contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any event.”
He was also found guilty of two counts of failing to report approaches to provide inside information or influence the outcome of any aspect of a match.
The TIU says the 236th-ranked player won’t have to serve the final 18 months of his ban if he has repaid the $25,000 fine by then and has attended anti-corruption and rehabilitation programs.
Arsenal, Chelsea draw
LONDON — Arsenal was held to a 0-0 draw by Chelsea in swirling rain Monday, missing a chance to return to the top of the Premier League.
The game between the London rivals at Emirates Stadium failed to produce the expected drama, with few attempts on goal.
Arsenal and Liverpool share the Premier League point lead, with Liverpool ahead on goal difference. Chelsea is fourth, two points out of first place.
By wire sources