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Aaron Hernandez pleads not guilty

Aaron Hernandez pleads not guilty to first-degree murder charge after his indictment in murder trial.

By Susan Candiott

September 6, 2013 -- Updated 2323 GMT (0723 HKT)

 Aaron Hernandez pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder 

after his indictment in the killing of Odin Lloyd.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) - Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge Friday following his indictment in the killing of a friend authorities say was shot five times in an industrial park.

Hernandez firmly answered "not guilty'' to six charges, including murder and weapons and ammunition possession charges.

His attorneys agreed ahead of the hearing that Hernandez, 23, will continue to be held without bail, but reserved the right to request bail later. The next court hearing was set for Oct. 9.

Defense attorney Charles Rankin said outside the courthouse that Hernandez's legal team is confident the ex-Patriot will be exonerated during a trial. "Not one shred of evidence has been presented yet,'' he said.

The arraignment "is like the opening kickoff,'' Rankin said. And, he encouraged people to keep an open mind and let the lawyers and the justice system do their work.

Bristol District Attorney Samuel Sutter said, in fact, a "tremendous amount'' of evidence has already been presented. He cited 500 pages of documents released to the press and public, including search and arrest warrants, affidavits and photographs taken from a surveillance system at Hernandez's home.

"I think that evidence speaks for itself,'' he said.

Sutter said he hopes the case will go to trial within a year but that it can sometimes take two years or more.

A Massachusetts grand jury last month returned the indictment against Hernandez in the death of Odin Lloyd, a 27-year-old semi-professional football player from Boston who was dating the sister of Hernandez's girlfriend.

Hernandez was arrested in June and pleaded not guilty to murder and weapons charges in district court. The indictment moved the case to superior court, where jury trials in murder cases are held.

Hernandez, who was cut from the Patriots within hours of his arrest, has been held at a county jail without bail.

Prosecutors say the former NFL star orchestrated Lloyd's killing because he was upset at Lloyd for talking to some people with whom Hernandez had problems at a nightclub a few days earlier.

Defense attorneys say the evidence is circumstantial and that the state's case won't hold up.

More than a dozen members of Lloyd's family attended Friday's hearing, most of them wearing purple. Among them was Ursula Ward, the mother of Odin Lloyd, who had tears streaming down her cheeks at one point during the hearing.

Hernandez's girlfriend, Shayanna Jenkins, and his mother, were seated on the opposite side of the courtroom.

Some people who appeared to be fans of Hernandez gathered outside the courthouse, including one woman with a "Team Aaron'' shirt bearing his old jersey number.

Two other men who prosecutors say were with Hernandez when Lloyd was killed are also facing charges. Ernest Wallace was indicted on a charge of accessory to murder after the fact. He earlier pleaded not guilty to the same charge in district court and was ordered held on $500,000 bail.

Carlos Ortiz pleaded not guilty to a firearms charge and is being held without bail. He has not been indicted.

Lloyd's body was found by a jogger on June 17 in an industrial park in North Attleborough, about a mile from Hernandez's home. Authorities say Lloyd was killed with a .45-caliber Glock, which they have said hasn't been recovered. But prosecutors say they have video footage of Hernandez at his home holding what appears to be a Glock, in the hours before and just after the killing.

Prosecutors have not identified the triggerman, but according to court documents, Ortiz told police Wallace said it was Hernandez.

Hernandez's cousin, Tanya Singleton, also was indicted on a criminal contempt charge after prosecutors say she refused to testify before the grand jury hearing evidence in the case, even after they offered her immunity. Her attorney has agreed she be held without bail.

Hernandez is also connected to the investigation of a 2012 double homicide near a Boston nightclub. While probing Lloyd's death, police found an SUV, sought in the earlier killing, at the home of Hernandez's uncle in Bristol, Conn., the former football player's hometown. It had been rented in Hernandez's name.

Reported by Olasubomi Bamgbelu.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130906/aaron-hernandez-murder-trial-pleads-not-guilty.ap/#ixzz2eXjK1YSw

Ferrari driver 'needs Vettel problems' for title

Motorsports

Fernando Alonso: Ferrari driver 'needs Vettel problems' for title

By Andrew BensonChief F1 writer

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso says he has not given up hope of winning the World Championship this year but he will need Sebastian Vettel to run into problems.

The Spaniard finished second to his Red Bull rival in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix and is 53 points behind in the F1 title standings with seven races left.

He said: "We need to be realistic now there's a very big gap.

"We don't have enough races or probably the speed to win some consecutive races and reduce the gap by just pace."

Vettel's win was his sixth of the season - making him the first man to win two in a row. Alonso is one of only two other drivers to win two races and his last victory was in Spain in May, seven races ago.

Last season, Vettel closed a 39-point deficit to Alonso after the Italian race by winning the next four grands prix but, just as this season, the Red Bull was a faster car than the Ferrari.

There are a maximum of 175 points still to compete for in the championship but Alonso has to try to close the gap in an inferior car.

The 32-year-old said: "We need to be lucky and we need to have some DNFs [retirements] from Sebastian or something to win the championship.

"With the races left and the points disadvantage, it's hard but, in a way, it was exactly the same last year.

"We could only lose the championship, with 39 points advantage in front of Sebastian after the Monza race.

"We didn't complete the job and we had a DNF in Suzuka [Japan] and some other problems.

"There's still a long way to go."

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali added: "The fight for the championship is really very difficult but it doesn't change our approach.

"We need to stay there and take the opportunities if they will come. The experience of last year is still burning for us.

"In a sporting way of course, if something happens to them we need to take the opportunity to attack them."

Alonso said he believed Red Bull would not necessarily continue to dominate in the same manner on the tracks coming up, which require the cars to run in higher downforce specification than the last two races at Monza and Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps.

Vettel said he was aware of his advantage but was only focusing on individual races.

"I am not really thinking about the points situation. Obviously we are in a very good position and I am just thinking about [the next race in] Singapore," he said.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said even Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton - who is 81 points behind Vettel after finishing ninth in Monza - must still be considered a contender.

Reported by: Phanarin Souvannavong

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24016996

Frank Lampard to win 100th England cap

Football

England boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed Frank Lampard will earn his 100th cap against Ukraine on Tuesday.

The Chelsea midfielder, 35, will become only the eighth Three Lions player to reach the milestone, joining team-mates Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole.

     Hodgson said he would make one change to the side that beat Moldova 4-0, with midfielder James Milner likely to replace banned striker Danny Welbeck.

England lead Group H but will be overtaken by Ukraine if they lose.

Hodgson said: "Frank will play tomorrow night so that's a quite a first. I've been very lucky to have three players who have reached [100 caps in the same side] and all things being equal Frank will start and get his 100th cap.

"Basically, there will only be one change in the team, that will be the person who replaces Welbeck. I will leave it to you to make your assumptions."

Manchester City midfielder Milner gained a glowing report from Hodgson in the aftermath of the victory over Moldova on Friday.

Hodgson's declaration means right-back Kyle Walker will continue in the side despite pictures being published of the 23-year-old Tottenham player inhaling nitrous oxide.

The England manager said: "I am happy, he has made his apologies and admitted a mistake. It was a long time ago, he'd forgotten it. It would have been much worse had it happened this weekend."

Lampard made his England debut in October 1999 under previous boss Kevin Keegan in a 2-1 friendly win over Belgium at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.Since then he has gone on to score 29 times for his country and has captained them five times.

Captain Gerrard, who along with Cole will equal Billy Wright's 105 caps, said: "It's going to be a fantastic occasion for Frank and I'm delighted for him.

"Me and Ashley did that recently and will move on to be level with the legend in Billy Wright, and we all want to remember it for the right result. I lost on my 100th cap but hopefully it will be different for Frank."

Despite being top of the group, England's place in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is far from assured and they will face Ukraine without regular strikers Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge, with the latter two both injured.

Hodgson's side are level on points with Montenegro but have a game in hand, while Ukraine are a point behind the leading two teams.

Only the group's top team will qualify automatically for next year's tournament, with the second-placed team facing a two-legged play-off.

   As well as headlines about Walker, Hodgson woke up to reports of three England fans being injured during an attack in Kiev on Sunday.

"We deplore that, everyone deplores that and I'm certain people in Kiev deplore that," the 66-year-old said.

"I'm sad it's occurred and I only hope our fans are not going to be put off and the fans aren't so badly injured they can't attend the game."

Reported by: Surasi Mungkornpanich

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24023700

FORMULA 1

Vettel wins Italian Grand Prix

Published: 8 Sep 2013 at 20.49

Online news: Sports

Sebastian Vettel extended his lead in the drivers' world championship to more than 50 points when he drove to a polished victory for Red Bull in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel drives at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza on September 8. The German won the Italian Grand Prix for his sixth win of the season.

     The 26-year-old German, series leader and defending triple world champion, survived a torrid start and gearbox problems as he dominated an intriguing 53-laps race, the last of the European part of the Formula One season

      Vettel came home 5.4 seconds clear of Fernando Alonso, as the Ferrari driver thrilled the tifosi with a battling chase in pursuit ahead of third-placed Australian Mark Webber in the second Red Bull and Brazilian Felipe Massa, fourth in the second Ferrari.

      On a warm, if overcast, afternoon, Vettel proved both his sublime talent and his fighting spirit - as both Red Bull men were told to nurse their cars home - to reel off his sixth win of the season and the 32nd of his career. It was his third win at Monza and helped Red Bull end a run of poor results at the circuit.

       His brilliance, however, was matched by that of Briton Lewis Hamilton, who started 12th, lost the use of his team radio and suffered a slow puncture, as he fought back twice to finish ninth. "A nightmare," he said.

       Red Bull team chief Christian Horner praised the winner: "Fantastic Seb, you've won the Italian Grand Prix again," he said. "Brilliant drive"

       Vettel replied with his characteristic scream and then added: "Very good boys, very good race. Sorry for the lock up into the first corner, made the first stint a bit tricky."

       German Nico Hulkenberg, who had qualified with a stunning third in his Ferrari-powered Sauber, came home an excellent fifth to endorse his claims as a possible successor to Massa next season.                                                                                             Compatriot Nico Rosberg finished sixth in the leading Mercedes ahead of Red Bull-bound Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso and Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Lotus.                                                                                                                      Hamilton did his utmost to pass Grosjean on the final lap, but in the end had to settle for ninth ahead of Briton Jenson Button of McLaren, who were this weekend celebrating their 50th anniversary as an F1 team.                                                                      In the title race, with seven 'flyaway' races outside Europe remaining, Vettel leads with 222 points ahead of Alonso on 169 and Hamilton on 141.                                         A brief shower shortly before the start caused some pre-race alarm, but not enough to cause a switch from slick tyres on a significantly cooler day at the Autodromo Nazionale.                                                                                                                 At the start, Vettel struggled to establish himself as leader from the 40th pole of his career, surviving a clattering challenge through the first chicane to emerge ahead of Massa's Ferrari, the Brazilian having surged past Webber.                                                    In a furious opening, Briton Paul Di Resta was forced to retire his Force India after locking up the front of his car and colliding with Romain Grosjean's Lotus.                        Hamilton, from 12th, rose to 10th before his problems began with the loss of radio contact. Running on the harder compound tyres, he then picked up a slow right front puncture and was forced - with the aid of old-school pit board signals -- to pit, rejoining 19th after 14 laps.                                                                                                             By then, Vettel was more than six seconds clear of the field, Alonso having executed a brilliant pass on Webber and then glided past Massa to take second.                       Vettel was warned of front right tyre vibrations by his team, a problem created when he locked up at the first chicane at the start, and this began to slow his progress as Alonso chased hard.                                                                                                                 His lead was cut to 4.8 before he pitted after 23 laps, emerging third behind Alonso and Rosberg as the Spaniard responded to his team's call to push hard.                        Alonso gave the tifosi four laps to dream before he also pitted and rejoined second behind a reinvigorated Vettel and ahead of Webber, with no-one able to upset that order before the chequered flag.

Reported By Natchanon Ludphli

From http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/368645/vettel-wins-italian-grand-prix

FOOTBALL

Springboks quick to claim underdog tag

Published: 9 Sep 2013 at 13.49

Online news: Sports

 

The Springboks landed in Auckland Monday for "the ultimate challenge" against the All Blacks next weekend, claiming they remain the underdogs despite New Zealand losing talismanic skipper Richie McCaw.

New Zealand's Richie McCaw is helped off the field during the Rugby Championship match against South Africa on September 7, 2013. The Springboks landed in Auckland Monday for "the ultimate challenge" against the All Blacks next weekend, claiming they remain the underdogs despite New Zealand losing McCaw.

Saturday's clash between the two unbeaten sides in the Rugby Championship comes with the Springboks on a high after an historic 38-12 win over Australia, their first ever victory in Brisbane.

The All Blacks, meanwhile, lacked cohesion when they beat Argentina 28-13 in Hamilton at the weekend and suffered the loss of McCaw for up to five weeks with a knee injury.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer described the battle for supremacy in the championship as the "ultimate challenge, and tougher than we've ever had before".

Even though McCaw's absence was a "big blow" for New Zealand, South Africa remained "underdogs, but we like that tag," he said."I've got a lot of respect for Richie, he's probably one of the best players that's ever played the game.

"They've still got great leaders, Kieran Read and a lot of other guys as well. But there's only one Richie McCaw and it definitely will be a big blow for them."

Meyer also talked up McCaw's understudy, the 21-year-old Sam Cane, saying New Zealand probably have the best openside flankers in world rugby."Every single New Zealand openside in Super Rugby is a quality player. They've won a lot of games without Richie as well and they won't change their game plan," he said."We know what to expect, and we think the breakdown is going to be a war like it always is, especially in New Zealand."

Cane however will give away presence at the breakdown when he pits his 103-kilogram (225 pounds) frame against the 112-kilogram Francois Louw. McCaw's listed weight is 108 kilograms.

This raises the possibility that the fit again Liam Messam could replace Steven Luatua to add more muscle to the All Blacks loose forward trio.

 

VOLLEY BALL

Thais move closer to qualifying 

Berth at World Championship beckons following impressive victory against Taiwan 

Published: 7 Sep 2013 at 00.00

Newspaper section: Sports 

       Thailand moved closer to securing a finals berth after beating Taiwan 3-0 in the 2014 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship qualification in Japan yesterday. 

World No.16 Thailand, who defeated Australia in their opening match, comfortably finished off Taiwan 25-18, 25-9, 25-11 in Group A. The Thais have six points from two matches. World No.30 Taiwan have three points after three games with two defeats and one win. 

          Thailand will play Vietnam today and a win over their Southeast Asian neighbours should be enough to send the Thais to the 2014 World Championship in Italy. 

              Japan have six points with wins over Taiwan and Vietnam. With the top two teams of the group advancing to the finals, the hosts are expected to take one of the two spots. But if Thailand seal a World Championship spot, then it will become a headache for their bosses. As the World Championship and the Asian Games will both take place in September next year, Thailand would have to choose one. 

           "Every team wants to play in the World Championship, so do we. However, the Asian Games are also important," said Somporn Chaibangyang, president of the Volleyball Association of Thailand. 

              "It would not be easy to decide. We could not play the two tournaments at the same time because we do not have enough players." Meanwhile, the penultimate tournament of the 2013 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour will be held at Karon beach in Phuket from Oct 30-Nov 3. 

              The UScopy10,000 tournament is the biggest annual beach volleyball event in Southeast Asia with more than 50 of the world's top teams expected to play. As hosts, Thailand get two automatic spots in the main draw. The semi-finals (Nov 2) and the final (Nov 3) will be broadcast live in Thailand and internationally. 

Flames' workhorse Kiprusoff retires

Flames' workhorse Kiprusoff retires 

Published: 10 Sep 2013 at 06.49 

Online news: Sports

 Finland's Miikka Kiprusoff, who won the Vezina Trophy in 2006 as the league's top goaltender, announced Monday he is retiring after a stellar 12-year NHL career.

 

       Goalkeeper Miikka Kiprusoff of the Calgary Flames is seen on April 5, 2013 in San Jose, California. Kiprusoff, who won the Vezina Trophy in 2006 as the league's top goaltender, announced Monday he is retiring after a stellar 12-year NHL career. 

The 36-year-old from Turku finishes with a franchise best 41 career shutouts. He also retires as Calgary's all-time leader in wins (305) and games played (576).
Kiprusoff said he made up his mind to step away several months ago.
"I decided to retire at the end of last season," Kiprusoff said. "It's an important decision for me personally and my family."
If he had stayed one more year, Kiprusoff would have made $5.8 million in salary.
Due to injuries, Kiprusoff played in just 24 games last season and finished with one of the lowest save percentages (.882) of his career. He also had a 3.44 goals against average (GAA).
Kiprusoff was acquired by the Flames from the San Jose Sharks in 2003 and led Calgary to within one win of a Stanley Cup championship in 2004.
He concluded his career with 319 wins, a 2.49 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 623 games. He never played in fewer than 70 games a season between 2005 and 2012.
Kiprusoff represented his country in the 1999 and 2001 World Championships, as well as the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
He was offered a spot on the Finnish team for the 2002 Winter Olympics, but declined citing a desire to focus on getting ready for the upcoming season with San Jose.

 

FOOTBALL

New > Sport

Bale trains after scan on groin strain

Published: 10 Sep 2013 at 01.49

Online news: Sports

Real Madrid new-boy Gareth Bale took part in a training session with his Wales team-mates on Monday after going for a scan on a groin strain.

 

 New Welsh striker of Real Madrid Gareth Bale heads the ball during his presentation at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on 

September 2, 2013.

        Bale joined Spanish giants Real from Tottenham Hotspur last week in a deal widely reported to be the world's most expensive transfer at around 100 million euros ($132.5 million). But Bale was an unused substitute for his country's 2-1 loss to Macedonia in Skopje on Friday and Wales manager Chris Coleman revealed on Monday that the winger was left on the sidelines because of a groin injury suffered in training.

However, Bale's groin problem doesn't appear that serious as, after the scan, he trained with Wales ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Cardiff.
"We had a conversation with Gareth before the game, he had a tight groin from the day before and we could not take that chance," Coleman said.

Bale has not played since mid-July due to a foot problem and his latest injury concern comes just days before he is scheduled to make his Madrid debut at Villarreal this weekend.

Coleman admitted the 24-year-old suffered the problem during Wales's training session at the Philip II Arena on Thursday.
But he is still hopeful Bale will play some part against Serbia on Tuesday.

"We went into the Macedonia game with everything great," said Coleman, whose team can't qualify for next year's finals in Brazil.

"Gareth gets his move to Real Madrid, everything is positive.

"Then Gareth picks up a strain in training and can't play in the game, which is disappointing.

"He was never going to be available to start either of these games but at best he would have come on for maybe half an hour.

"There is a small chance of that tomorrow (Tuesday) night, we will see when we get the scan results back and how he feels."

Reported By : Pavonrat Sougbundit
From : http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/368931/bale-trains-after-scan-on-  groin-strain

FOOTBALL

Buriram United extend lead

Buriram United on Sunday moved five points clear at the top of the Thai Premier League when they beat Chainat 3-2 Khao Plong Stadium

Buriram United's Suchao Nutnum.

     In the ninth minute, Chainat took the lead when Somjed Sattabut crossed the ball from the right and Sumanya Purisay headed home from close range.

     Buriram equalised in the 31 st minute whe Suchao Nutnum seziedon a defenisve error.

     Buriram went ahead just before half-time, Osmar Ibanez converting a panalty after Seon Power committed a hand-ball.

    Power redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser earily in the second half but Buriram again took the lead when Chary1 Chappuis made it 3-2.

   Meanwhile, Buriram Chairman Newin Chidchob yesterday announed that former real Madrid assistant coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia will take over as head coach.

   Alejandro worked under Joes Moourinho during the 2010-11 season and was also head coach of Real Madrid's B team.

   "The arrived of Alejandro Menendez will help Buriram United become one of the best teams in Asia, which is the goal of the club, " Newin said.

    " I believe this will help improve Thai football for a better future." In other games yesterday, Bangkok Glass defeated Chiang Rai United 2-0 , thanks to second-half goals from Goran Subara and Lazarus Kaimbi.

     Elsewhere, Suphanburi lost 5-2 to Insee Police United and TOT SC drew 0-0 with Samut Songkhram.

Published: 9 Sep 2013 at 00.00 , Newspaper section : Sports
Reported By Usa Ruangklan
From http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/breakingnews/368679/buriram-united-extend-lead

GOLF

KO defends Canadian Open title after shooting six-under

Published : August 25 , 2013

Online news : sports

New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko after winning the Canadian Open on Sunday. AFP

Kiwi teenager blitzes elite field in final round 

EDMONTON (Canada): New Zealand amateur sensation Lydia Ko won the LPGA Canadian Women's Open for the second straight year on Sunday, leaving an elite pro field in her wake.

Ko, whose triumph in Vancouver last year at the age of 15 years and four months made her the youngest LPGA title winner in history, backed up that milestone victory with a five-stroke victory over France's Karine Icher.

"I'm pretty surprised, but I played some really good golf out there, so I was really happy about that," said Lydia, who grabbed another slice of LPGA history as the first amateur to win two titles on the tour.

"My goal today was to shoot five-under and just play my own game. If somebody else shot better, then I can't do anything about it."

Ko, of Auckland, carded a final-round six-under 64 at Royal Mayfair Golf Club for a 15-under total of 265.

The bespectacled teen curled in a birdie putt at 18 -- her seventh birdie of the day -- lifting her arms in triumph as it dropped.

"I didn't have it coming," said Ko of her final 15-footer."That's why I was like oh, my God. I was pretty worried it would just go straight down because I knew it was a slippery putt. No, I just hit a little bit, and it trickled down in the hole."

Icher, one of the bevy of Europeans playing this week in the wake of their Solheim Cup triumph over the United States in Colorado, carded a 67 for 270

.

Sweden's Caroline Hedwall, the first player to go 5-0 in the Solheim Cup, had started the day with a one-stroke lead. She carded a 71 to share third on 271 alongside American Brittany Lincicome, who shot 69.

Lydia's 64 was three shots better than the next-best round of the day, Icher's 67.

"Yeah, no, not too bad for me, obviously," said Karine, who will take home the winner's US$300,000 (RM900,000) purse because of Lydia's amateur status.

"But I would love to win one one day, but it's nice for her. She deserves it. I'm sure she's a hard worker, and especially in Canada for her it's special."

Her victory made Lydia the first player to defend a title on the LPGA Tour since Yani Tseng won the Women's British Open in 2010 and 2011.

Ko's fourth victory in a professional tournament is bound to renew the question of when the 16-year-old phenem will trurn professional.

She won the New Zealand Women's Open in February a Ladies'European Tour event, while her win at the age of 14 in the Australian LPGA's Women's New South Wales Open in january of 2012 had made her the youngest player male on female to win a pro tourament.AFP 

Reported By : Duanghatai Vijitvorraphan

From : http://bangkokpost.newspaperdirect.com