Sports briefs for August 27, 2004

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 | 10:41 a.m.

Judge criticizes Kobe prosecution

On the eve of Kobe Bryant's rape trial, a frustrated judge chastised prosecutors Thursday for waiting until the last minute to challenge DNA evidence the defense says shows the accuser had sex with someone else hours after her encounter with the NBA star.

In an often testy exchange, Judge Terry Ruckriegle told prosecutors he should deny their request for a hearing because it was likely to delay the trial, which begins today with jury selection. But he gave them until Tuesday to provide more information to help him make his decision.

Later Thursday, the judge held a closed-door session with prosecutors and defense attorneys to discuss the 82-item questionnaire that prospective jurors will fill out. About 500 prospective jurors were expected to arrive at the Eagle County courthouse today; opening statements are not expected before Sept. 7.

Bryant, 26, has pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault, saying he had consensual sex with the then-19-year-old employee of a Vail-area resort where he stayed last summer. If convicted, the Los Angeles Lakers star faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation.

Rangers sign goalie

The New York Rangers signed 29-year-old goaltender Kevin Weeks, a free agent who had career-bests in games, victories and shutouts last season with Carolina.

Ads back on Masters

The Masters is no longer commercial-free, signing up three television sponsors today for the first time since Martha Burk led a corporate campaign against Augusta National and its all-male membership. Club chairman Hootie Johnson said the Masters would add 90 minutes of television coverage and go back to its four minutes of advertising every hour.

Tanner arrested

Former Wimbledon finalist Roscoe Tanner, 52, was arrested Thursday in Santa Ana, Calif., on a New Jersey warrant for allegedly failing to pay more than $80,00 pay in child support.

Cowboys go network

The Dallas Cowboys Channel, a 24-hour cable network devoted to America's Team, will launch Sept. 8 and be available to more than 1.3 Comcast subscribers in Texas and adjoining states. The network will offer original programming, including broadcasts of coach Bill Parcells' news conferences, a nightly news show from practice and interviews.