In brief

Judge limits release of Bryant court records

By Times Staff and Wire Reports
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 22, 2003

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EAGLE, Colo. - A judge Thursday rejected the media's request to see detailed court records in Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case, agreeing to unseal only the arrest warrant.

Judge Frederick Gannett said the search warrant, affidavit and other material will remain sealed until the case is decided. He put his order on hold and gave attorneys 10 days to appeal.

Without the documents, the public has no way of knowing if the sheriff's office and other agencies acted properly in arresting the Los Angeles Lakers guard, said Chris Beall, an attorney for the media organizations.

"What the judge is saying is that in those documents were statements that have little relevance and are unnecessarily prejudicial and inflammatory," Beall said. "I think the voters in Eagle County would like to know whether Sheriff (Joseph) Hoy's office engaged in improper conduct."

U.S. CRUISES: Tracy McGrady scored 17 and the Americans used an early 18-0 run to beat the Dominican Republic 111-73 in the Olympic qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

TRADE: The Pistons traded forward/center Clifford Robinson and guard Pepe Sanchez to the Warriors for guard Bob Sura. Robinson, a 14-year veteran, averaged 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season. Sanchez appeared in nine games last season, missing 61 with a knee injury. Sura averaged 7.3 points, 3.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds as a backup last season.

WNBA: Swin Cash scored 20 and Cheryl Ford had 11 points and 11 rebounds as host Detroit beat Cleveland 71-56. Detroit (23-9) can clinch the league's best record and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs with one victory in its last two games or losses by Houston and Los Angeles. ... Reserve guard Elena Baranova had 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists as visiting New York beat Washington 65-60. Baranova replaced Vickie Johnson, who sprained her right ankle with 14:54 left in the first half and did not return.

TRACK: Olympian pulls out

Three-time Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton withdrew from the World Championships because of a calf injury. Hamilton, runner-up to Regina Jacobs in the 1,500 meters at this year's U.S. Championships, said she strained her lower calf 10 days ago.

DOPING RULES: The IAAF adopted the new anti-doping code, setting out uniform rules and sanctions for violations. Among the provisions is a two-year suspension for testing positive for steroids.

GYMNASTICS: American wins world title

Paul Hamm put together a near-perfect routine on the high bar to become the first American man to win all-around gold at the World Championships in Anaheim, Calif. Needing a 9.712 to beat China's Yang Wei, Hamm strung together four consecutive release moves to earn a 9.975. Japan's Hiroyuki Tomita was third. The other American in the event, Jason Gatson, finished eighth.

TENNIS: Roddick to play Davis Cup

Andy Roddick, James Blake and twins Bob and Mike Bryan head the U.S. Davis Cup team for a world group playoff Sept. 19-21 against Slovakia. Captain Patrick McEnroe also put Mardy Fish and Brian Vahaly on the squad.

U.S. OPEN: Marat Safin, the 2000 champion, pulled out because of a wrist injury. Safin also withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Guillermo Canas also pulled out of the tournament, which starts Monday, saying he hasn't fully recovered from wrist surgery.

PILOT PEN: Amelie Mauresmo, Jennifer Capriati, Elena Dementieva and Lindsay Davenport reached the semifinals in New Haven, Conn.

BOXING: De La Hoya hurts hand

Oscar De La Hoya hurt his left hand sparring while training for his Sept. 13 fight against Shane Mosley but said the injury won't jeopardize the fight. De La Hoya said he has not sparred since Friday, when the injury occurred, but has continued the rest of his training routine.

ET CETERA

HORSES: Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker will not run in Saturday's Travers Stakes. "He just got a virus or allergy or something like that," trainer Bobby Frankel said. Trainer Barclay Tagg upgraded Funny Cide's chances of running to 75 percent. A decision on the status of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will be made just before the 6:25 p.m. post time.

SOCCER: Boston forward Maren Meinert was named WUSA's most valuable player. She was sixth in league scoring with nine goals and 10 assists and helped the Breakers go 10-4-7 down the stretch and finish first overall.

ARENA FOOTBALL: Three Orlando Predators signed with NFL teams. Defensive specialist Reggie Doster, a former Central Florida player, signed with the Saints. Fullback/linebacker Kevin McLeod agreed to terms with the Browns. Receiver/linebacker Thabiti Davis signed with the Patriots.

Baseball

Ailing Pujols expecting to return today

AL: Chisox take over in Central

NL: Houston gains breathing room

College football

No letdowns

FSU's AD disputes findings

Colleges

Former Washington coach sues school, NCAA

Golf

Holy matrimony! Curtis in lead at NEC Invitational

In brief

Judge limits release of Bryant court records

Little League

Mass. reaches U.S. final

Motorsports

Teams get behind CART

Wallace to honor Kulwicki at Bristol

NFL

Sluggish Steelers edge Cowboys

Outdoors

Daily fishing report

Hometown Horsepower

Preps

10 Pressing questions

Sports on the Air

Little League coverage is to be praised

Sports on the Web

Sportsline.com selling fantasy football cards over the counter

Rays

Rays let a win bounce away

Onus is on Kennedy to reclaim ace status

Bucs

Tupa back in form at right time

Roster spots are at stake against Jags