Autopsy: Belcher drunk during slaying
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher was legally intoxicated when he shot his girlfriend nine times, an autopsy report released Monday indicated.
Belcher, who committed suicide outside the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium practice facility shortly after the Dec. 1 slaying of Kasandra Perkins, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.17 at the time of his death, a report obtained by The Kansas City Star revealed.
Police say Belcher, 25, shot and killed Perkins -- the mother of his 3-month-old daughter -- in the Kansas City-area home they shared, then drove to the Chiefs' facility and killed himself with a different weapon in the parking lot.
The Star said the autopsy revealed Perkins was shot nine times. One of the shots was fired close to her right hand, indicating she was trying to defend herself.
Several wounds suggested Perkins was on the floor when some of the shots were fired.
Police theorized Belcher's blood-alcohol content was 0.22 or more when he was roused by police while sleeping in his car in front of another girlfriend's residence about 5 hours before the shooting.
Although police determined he had been drinking, Belcher wasn't arrested or cited after he told them he was heading inside to see the woman who lived in the apartment, USA Today reported.
Lance Armstrong says sorry to Livestrong
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The Livestrong Foundation says disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong apologized to about 100 staffers at the cancer charity's Austin, Texas, headquarters Monday.
Livestrong spokeswoman Katherine McLane told ABC News Armstrong offered a "sincere and heartfelt apology," which generated lots of tears.
McLane also said he "took responsibility" for the trouble he has caused the foundation, but she did not elaborate regarding whether he admitted he used performance-enhancing drugs while competing, ABC News said.
The move comes days before Oprah Winfrey's interview with the athlete and cancer survivor is to air on television.
Although Armstrong has vehemently denied accusations he used performance-enhancing drugs and was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles as a result of the allegations, sources told ABC News he is expected to finally admit his wrongdoing to Winfrey.
Armstrong stepped down as Livestrong chairman last fall amid the controversy.
D-Backs extend closer Putz for one year
PHOENIX, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Relief pitcher J.J. Putz has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Arizona Diamondbacks through 2014, the team announced Monday.
Putz, the team's ninth-inning closer, racked up 32 saves with a 2.82 ERA in 57 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season, compiling a 1-5 record.
The Diamondbacks had earlier exercised a $6.5 million team option to lock up the 35-year-old right-hander through the 2013 season.
Terms of the extension weren't announced.
"J.J. has provided much-needed leadership and stability for our bullpen the last two years," General Manager Kevin Towers said. "He has been an integral piece and helped set the foundation for our bullpen's turnaround, so we are excited to have him in place the next two seasons."
Putz has recorded 77 saves during his two-year tenure with the club -- second only to all-time franchise leader Jose Valverde with 98.
The 10-year veteran has also played with Seattle, the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox.
Chiefs tap John Dorsey as new GM
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Former Green Bay Packers executive John Dorsey is the new general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, the team announced Monday.
Dorsey, who was the Packers' director of college scouting for 12 years, becomes the sixth GM in Chiefs history, replacing the fired Scott Pioli.
Dorsey's hiring comes 10 days after the team tapped former Philadelphia Eagles head Coach Andy Reid to replace Romeo Crennel as Kansas City's on-field boss.
"The Chiefs are a remarkable franchise with a great fan base, and I'm excited to join the team and community," Dorsey, 52, said in a statement. "I want to thank (team owner) Clark (Hunt) and the entire Hunt family for the chance to help lead this franchise.
"I'm looking forward to working with Coach Reid to put together a product that Chiefs fans can be proud of for years to come."
The housecleaning came after the Chiefs sank to a 2-14 mark in 2012, matching the worst record in franchise history, and were rocked by a Dec. 1 murder-suicide involving linebacker Jovan Belcher.
