Sports briefs for August 13, 2004

Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 | 9:50 a.m.

Okla. bombing judge gets Kobe's civil suit

U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch, best known for handling the trials of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing case, was assigned the Kobe Bryant civil case Thursday as a result of the random-assignment system used in Denver federal court.

Matsch, appointed to the bench by President Nixon in 1974, keeps tight control of his courtroom. Given to wearing cowboy boots and hats, he sometimes raises his voice to dress down an attorney for asking witnesses repetitive questions, or for coming to court unprepared.

"If there's any judge that's able to keep it from becoming a circus, it's Judge Matsch, just like he was able to keep the Oklahoma City bombing case from becoming a circus," said attorney Dan Recht, who has had numerous cases before the judge.

Matsch, 74, took senior-judge status in summer 2003, allowing him to reduce his caseload.

In the Bryant case, attorneys for Bryant's 20-year-old accuser filed the civil lawsuit in Denver federal court Tuesday after questioning whether the criminal case would get a fair hearing in Eagle County District Court.

The attorneys said gaffes in the criminal case allowed the release of information favorable to Bryant and eroded the woman's faith in the criminal justice system.

Prosecutors have asked for an indefinite delay in the criminal trial, scheduled to start Aug. 27, and appealed a key ruling to the state Supreme Court, prompting legal experts to speculate the case will be dropped.

NFL goes to Mexico

The NFL has struck deals with two Mexican television networks to televise its games for the next three seasons. The contracts call for the networks Televisa and TV Azteca each to carry 23 games, and also the next two Super Bowls. Televisa will air the Sept. 9 season-opener between Indianapolis and defending Super Bowl champion New England on its Galavision network. Galavision also will carry 16 Monday night games, the Thanksgiving Day game between Chicago and Dallas and five NFC playoff games.

Coyotes keep Comrie

The Phoenix Coyotes signed center Mike Comrie to a two-year contract. Comrie split last season between Phoenix and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Strike OK'd in Japan

Japanese professional players reportedly voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike as part of their efforts to prevent the merger of several Pacific League teams. No strike date was set.

MLS punishment

Los Angeles Galaxy defender Chris Albright was suspended for two games by the MLS for a hard hit, and San Jose president Alexi Lalas was fined $500 for criticizing officials.

Jockey dies

Christopher Quinn, 42, a jockey who rode 151 winners in nearly 2,000 starts, has died of injuries sustained in a fall a year ago at Fairmount Park Race Track near Lincoln, Neb.