FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) β Jurors have begun deliberating in the murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez. His lawyer today acknowledged for the first time that his client was at the scene of the killing, saying in closing arguments that Hernandez saw it happen but described him as a kid who simply did not know what to do. Attorney James Sultan pinned the killing on Hernandez’s co-defendants, his friends Ernest Wallace and Carlos Ortiz.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) β New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount has been suspended without pay for the first game next season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Blount was arrested last August for possession of marijuana while with Pittsburgh. Steelers running back Le’Veon (LAY’-vee-ohn) Bell was arrested for marijuana possession and DUI in the same traffic stop.
PHOENIX (AP) β San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain is on the disabled list with a flexor tendon strain in his right forearm. The Giants say Cain will return to San Francisco for further evaluation and could miss two weeks. He was scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday, and the Giants said an MRI revealed Cain does not have ligament damage in his forearm.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) β Alabama will introduce new basketball coach Avery Johnson at a news conference today. A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Johnson is receiving a six-year contract worth about $2.8 million annually plus incentives. Johnson has had stints as an NBA head coach with the Dallas Mavericks and the Nets franchise.
UNDATED (AP) β Two more players have announced that they are leaving school early to enter the NBA draft. Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will forgo his final two years of eligibility after averaging 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last season. Kansas forward Cliff Alexander said he is foregoing his three remaining years of eligibility.
