Williams indicted for manslaughter
FLEMINGTON, N.J., May 1 (UPI) -- Former NBA star and NBC television analyst Jayson Williams was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on charges of reckless manslaughter in connection with the Valentine's Day shooting of a limo driver.
Costas Christofi was shot to death during a party at Williams' huge estate, located about 30 miles north of Trenton, N.J., in Alexandria Township. Christofi was killed by a shotgun blast to the chest.
Williams also was indicted on several other charges, including aggravated assault and witness and evidence tampering. He remains free on $270,000 bail, and could get up to 30 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Christofi was taking a tour of the Williams estate when the shooting occurred. He had driven Williams' party from Bethlehem, PA., after the group had attended a Harlem Globetrotters game.
Harlan's Holiday early Derby favorite
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 1 (UPI) -- Even the Churchill Downs oddsmaker is having a hard time picking Saturday's 128th running of the Kentucky Derby.
At Wednesday evening's post-position draw, oddsmaker Mike Battaglia installed Florida Derby and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Harlan's Holiday as the favorite for the Run for the Roses. But he listed the colt at relatively long odds of 9-2. And Battaglia's co-second picks, Buddha and Came Home, were posted at odds of 5-1.
Despite the full field of 20, with attendant post-post position intrigue, Battaglia said the draw for starting spots did not change any of his odds determinations.
Harlan's Holiday will start from the No. 14 spot. That's the last stall in the main starting gate and will give jockey Edgar Prado a chance to position his horse during the first run past the stands. Came Home, winner of the Santa Anita Derby, will be in No. 15, the first stall in the auxiliary gate,while Wood Memorial winner Buddha will be in No. 10.
Bella Bellucci withdrawn fromOaks
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 1 (UPI) -- Friday's Kentucky Oaks lost one of its stars Wednesday when trainer Neil Drysdale removed Bella Bellucci from contention.
Bella Bellucci, winner of stakes races in both of her previous 2002 starts, was not acting right on Tuesday. Blood tests were performed and the results confirmed the filly was not 100 percent healthy, said Demi O' Byrne, advisor to owner Michael Tabor.
The defection leaves Take Charge Lady, the 9-5 morning line favorite, and You, listed at 9-2 by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia, as the early choices for the filly counterpart to the Kentucky Derby.
However, the loss of Bella Bellucci was offset -- numerically, at least -- by the surprise entry of Art Fair, who steps up from easier foes at Turfway Park. Nine starters now are expected for the Oaks.
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Leaf coach fined for rapping refs
NEW YORK, May 1 (UPI) -- Toronto Maple Leafs Coach and General Manager Pat Quinn was fined $30,000 Wednesday for criticizing referees working Game Four of the Maple Leafs' Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with the New York Islanders.
The Islanders posted a 4-3 victory on Shawn Bates' controversial penalty shot with just over two minutes remaining in the third period. After the game, Quinn said, " I've had some disappointing results from officials but never one like this."
The NHL's latest action came one day after it levied $30,000 fines against Montreal Canadiens Coach Michel Therrien and General Managers Brian Burke of the Vancouver Canucks and Mike Milbury of the New York Islanders.
League-imposed fines have totaled $155,000 in the last two days. Detroit Coach Scotty Bowman was fined $10,000 on Tuesday for pushing a reporter and the Red Wings were fined $25,000 for violating the league's media procedures.
Toms hopes for Compaq repeat
NEW ORLEANS, May 1 (UPI) -- Defending champion David Toms hopes a return home will again provide a career springboard.
Toms will be joined in the Compaq Open field by Mickelson, who is second among the money leaders, and Ernie Els, third in the official World Golf Ranking, when the tournament opens in New Orleans Thursday.
Toms jumpstarted the the biggest season of his career with a come-from-behind victory in the Compaq Classic last year at the English Turn Golf and Country Club.
A Shreveport resident and Louisiana State alumnus, Toms was cheered by the Tiger fans in the gallery when he became the first Louisianan to capture the title in a tournament that began in 1938.
That win was followed by victories in the PGA Championship and Michelob Championship later in the year, upping his career victory total to seven.
Iginia finalist for NHL MVP honors
NEW YORK, May 1 (UPI) -- Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla, the NHL's leading scorer and only player to reach 50 goals this season, Wednesday was named as one of three finalists for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the league's Most Valuable Player. Iginla recorded 52 goals and 44 assists for 96 points for the Flames, who did not make the playoffs. He was joined by a pair of goaltenders -- Montreal's Jose Theodore and Colorado's Patrick Roy.
Theodore backstopped the Canadiens' late drive to their first playoff spot in four years, posting a 30-24-10 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and seven shutouts.
Roy recorded a 32-23-8 mark for the defending Stanley Cup champions while leading the NHL with a 1.94 GAA and nine shutouts.
Niklas Lidstrom and 40-year-old Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings and Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche were nominated as finalists for the Norris Trophy, which goes to the top defenseman
