After Tests Establish Carruth Paternity, Judge Freezes His Assets

Rae Carruth’s assets were frozen Thursday after it was determined the former Carolina Panther receiver is the father of his slain girlfriend’s child.

Judge Yvonne Mims Evans released the results of DNA tests that showed there was a 99.9% probability Carruth is the father of Chancellor Lee Adams. Evans said Carruth’s assets would be frozen with the exception of $35,000 he can use to help pay for his lawyers.

Carruth and four other men are being held in Charlotte, N.C., without bail on first-degree murder and related charges in the Nov. 16 shooting of Cherica Adams, who died Dec. 14.

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Patrick Jeffers signed a four-year, $10-million contract extension that will keep him with the Panthers through the 2003 season. Jeffers had 21 receptions for 354 yards in his first three seasons, but this year he has caught 56 passes for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the last four games alone, he has 28 receptions for 552 yards and six scores. . . . Quarterback Ryan Leaf, bothered by pain in his surgically repaired right shoulder, was put on injured reserve by the San Diego Chargers. Leaf, the second pick in the 1998 draft, didn’t take a snap this season, which began with him rehabbing his shoulder and was interrupted by a four-week suspension for insubordination. Leaf is scheduled to have an arthroscopic procedure on Jan. 11.

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Chicago running back Curtis Enis will miss Sunday’s season finale against Tampa Bay because of a possibly torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. . . . About 15,000 posters featuring Green Bay receiver Antonio Freeman endorsing seat belts were sent to law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin. But after last week’s accident involving Freeman, who was driving, and another passenger, no more will be sent out. Freeman faces charges of obstructing officers and failure to report an accident after originally claiming he was the passenger of a car driven by teammate Charles Jordan.

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New England Coach Pete Carroll defended his decision to suspend receiver Terry Glenn for Sunday’s season finale, saying he hoped it would help Glenn become a better team player. He said he suspended Glenn because Glenn didn’t meet with team personnel Saturday night, Monday or Tuesday after being excused from practice last Friday and Saturday because of flu. . . . Tennessee safety Marcus Robertson might be available for the NFL playoffs despite needing plastic surgery and 150 stitches for facial cuts suffered in a motorcycle accident Monday. Coach Jeff Fisher said if Robertson can wear a helmet and play without suffering any further injury or bleeding, he will be cleared to play. . . . Kordell Stewart has bronchitis and can barely speak, making it doubtful he will play quarterback Sunday for Pittsburgh.