Teammate: Carruth Was Eager for Son's Birth

C H A R L O T T E, N.C., Dec. 14, 2000 -- 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

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.

Forensic Expert Casts Doubt

Jurors also watched a videotaped deposition by forensicscientist Henry Lee, who cast doubts on the prosecution’s argumentthat Carruth was present at the shooting.

Prosecution witnesses have said Carruth, driving in front ofAdams, stopped his car so she would have to stop, allowing thegunman to fire at her.

Lee gave his testimony Dec. 6 after the jury was sent home.Judge Charles Lamm agreed to a request by Rudolf to allow Lee totestify out of turn to accommodate Lee’s schedule.

Lee, who has worked cases like the O.J. Simpson trial, said hedetermined that of the five shots that hit Adams’ car, three werefired straight at the car from a 90-degree angle. The last two werefired at an angle, suggesting possible movement by Adams’ car, hesaid.

Lee’s inspection of the cars found no damage to the front ofAdams’ BMW sports car. Had Adams tried to drive away, he said,there likely would have been a collision if Carruth was parkedright in front of her.

Adams, 24, was eight months pregnant with Carruth’s son when shewas shot. The baby, Chancellor, survived, but Adams died a monthlater.