Martin's death may hurt case vs. Webber

DETROIT (AP) -- The death of former University of Michigan booster Ed Martin could make the government's obstruction of justice and perjury case against Sacramento Kings' star Chris Webber more difficult, a legal expert said.

Martin, who admitted he gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to former University of Michigan basketball players while they were in high school and college -- including Webber -- died Friday at the age of age 69. He was expected to testify in Webber's case.

Webber has been indicted on charges of lying to a federal grand jury about his dealings with Martin in 1988-93.

Federal prosecutors may not be able to use Martin's grand jury testimony in Webber's trial, which is scheduled to begin July 8, because Webber's lawyer wouldn't be able to question Martin, said Larry Dubin, a law professor at the University of Detroit Mercy.

"I think the government's case has suffered a major blow," Dubin said Sunday.

Other witnesses or records may be brought forward to support the charges against Webber. But Dubin said those witnesses likely wouldn't have the same detailed knowledge of the relationship between Martin and Webber that Martin had.

"Without a key witness to provide the context in which all of these transactions took place, the government is at a major disadvantage," Dubin said.

Messages seeking comment were left Sunday with officials in the U.S. attorney's office in Detroit, which investigated Martin for nearly four years and is handling the case against Webber.

Webber's father Mayce Webber Jr. and aunt also face obstruction of justice and perjury charges for allegedly lying about the family's dealings with Martin.

Messages seeking comment were left Sunday with Webber attorney Steven F. Fishman of Detroit and Robert Morgan, an attorney representing Mayce Webber Jr.

After Martin pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money, the former auto worker told federal prosecutors he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent $616,000 to the four Michigan players while they still were amateurs. He was awaiting sentencing at the time of his death.

The players were Webber; Robert Traylor of the New Orleans Hornets; Maurice Taylor of the Houston Rockets; and Louis Bullock, who has been playing professionally in Europe.

Martin's name first surfaced after Taylor lost control of his car on Feb. 17, 1996. Taylor was returning from a party in Detroit with four teammates who were entertaining Mateen Cleaves on his official recruiting visit. When Michigan found out that the recruiting visit included a visit to Martin's house, the school began to investigate his affairs with the basketball program.

The scandal originated in the "Fab Five" era, when Webber and four other freshmen created a national sensation. With their baggy shorts and black socks, Webber and future NBA players Juwan Howard and Jalen Rose led the Wolverines to consecutive NCAA finals in 1992 and 1993.

In November, Michigan banned itself from postseason play this season and forfeited 112 regular-season and tournament victories from five seasons, plus its victory in the 1992 NCAA semifinal.

"There is no excuse for what happened. It was wrong -- plain and simple," Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman said when she announced the self-imposed penalties. "This is a day of great shame."

On Friday, a delegation from the university appeared before an NCAA infractions committee to answer questions about the booster scandal. A ruling is expected in the next five to seven weeks. It could accept Michigan's penalties or assess more sanctions.

 

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