Teammate: Carruth Was Eager for Son's Birth

C H A R L O T T E, N.C., Dec. 14 -- Two of Rae Carruth’s teammates on theCarolina Panthers gave jurors in his murder trial a differentportrayal of a man charged with orchestrating the drive-by shootingof his pregnant girlfriend.

Muhsin Muhammad, a wide receiver for the Panthers who roomedwith Carruth, told jurors Wednesday that he and Carruth not onlydiscussed the impending birth of his second child, but also themother, Cherica Adams.

Two other Carolina players testified Tuesday that Carruth nevermentioned Adams to them.

“We talked about the fact that he did not have a bond with hischild in California,” Muhammad testified, speaking about Carruth’s son from a previous relationship. “He was excited about this opportunity to bond with this child.”

Carruth said he wanted to remain good friends with Adams becausehe didn’t want “any bad blood” that could harm his relationship with their child, Muhammad testified.

Muhammad also disputed the state’s claim that Carruth wasworried about his financial future because he missed several gameswith an ankle injury prior to the drive-by shooting of Adams onNov. 16, 1999.

“He’s a first-round pick, single, with one son,” he said.“I’m a second-round pick with a wife and two kids. I don’t think Rae was hurting for any money.”

Navies Supports Teammate

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The jury also heard from Hannibal Navies, a linebacker whoplayed with Carruth at Colorado and with the Panthers. They roomedtogether at Carruth’s house for several months in 1999.

Answering questions from defense attorney David Rudolf, Naviesrecalled overhearing a conversation between Carruth and Adams.

“She was talking about not feeling too well,” he said. “They also talked about doctors’ appointments and things like that.”

Court ended Wednesday with Navies still on the stand.

He continued testifying today, when defense attorney DavidRudolf played a tape of an eight-minute police statement Naviesgave to police the day Adams was shot. Rudolf used the tape tocorroborate Navies’ testimony.