Florida Judge Upholds Law for Autopsy Photos

A judge in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday upheld a Florida law restricting public access to autopsy photos that was being challenged by several newspapers.

The law was passed in March 2001 after the death of race car driver Dale Earnhardt, who was killed in a crash in the final lap of last year’s Daytona 500.

“The right to privacy, the right to freedom of press and speech, the right of the people to have access to public records and the right to be left alone are important rights to all who live in this county,” Circuit Judge Leroy Moe wrote in his order.

“They are not absolute rights, however, and they frequently clash, as they did in this case. The legislature has indeed applied a proper balancing of these rights in enacting this legislation.”

Said Orlando Sentinel attorney David Bralow: “We’re really quite disappointed about the judge’s ruling.” The newspaper will appeal.

Hockey

Defenseman Chris Chelios re-signed with the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings for two years and $12 million.

The Dallas Stars signed free-agent right wing Bill Guerin, who had 41 goals for the Boston Bruins last season, to a five-year deal. Terms were not disclosed.... Free agent Rob Ray, the Buffalo Sabres’ longest-serving player and career penalty-minutes leader, re-signed with the team, agreeing to a one-year deal.... The New York Islanders acquired center Jason Wiemer from the Florida Panthers for defenseman Branislav Mezei.

Women’s Basketball

Shannon Johnson scored 12 of her 15 points after halftime as the Orlando Miracle (8-6) ended a three-game losing streak with a 79-71 overtime victory over the Indiana Fever (6-9) in front of 4,715 at Orlando, Fla.

In other WNBA games: Betty Lennox scored 16 points as the Miami Sol (5-9) set franchise records for total points, margin of victory and field-goal percentage (55.7%) in an 86-61 victory over the Phoenix Mercury (7-7) in front of 5,932 at Miami.... Kristin Folkl scored her only basket with 36.7 seconds left to break a tie and give the Portland Fire (9-8) its franchise-record fifth consecutive victory, a 76-73 decision over the Charlotte Sting (7-7) in front of 4,540 at Charlotte, N.C.... Coco Miller, a Minnesota native, scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Washington Mystics (12-4) to a 64-63 victory over the Minnesota Lynx (6-9) in front of 5,197 at Minneapolis.... Janeth Arcain scored 15 of her season-high 23 points in the second half as the Houston Comets (13-3) rolled to a 78-67 victory over the Utah Starzz (9-5) in front of 6,943 at Salt Lake City.

Miscellany

Notre Dame has rewarded Mike Brey, the first basketball coach to lead the Irish to consecutive 20-victory seasons in his first two years on the job, with a two-year contract extension. The contract extension runs through the 2008-09 season.

Jerry Dusenberry, 62, the former president of USA Boxing, pleaded guilty to sex abuse charges in Portland, Ore., and was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. He pleaded guilty in Multnomah County Circuit Court to criminal conduct with four victims, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, a Portland police spokesman.... Former Oklahoma State basketball player Glendon Alexander was charged with allegedly stealing $150,000 in cash and jewelry from former Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Derek Bell.

Joe Nemechek won the pole position for the third consecutive time in a Busch Grand National series race at Daytona with a fast lap of 185.793 mph for Friday’s Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Defender Emmy Barr scored the first goal of her career and had an assist to help the Washington Freedom (6-5-3) to a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Beat (6-6-1) in front of 6,578 at Washington in a Women’s United Soccer Assn. game.... Nandi Pryce, a defender for UCLA, will be joined on the under-21 women’s national soccer team by two former area high school standouts for the prestigious international Nordic Cup in Finland. Veronica Zepeda, a midfielder for NCAA champion Santa Clara, and Allyson Marquand, a defender for Stanford, are also on the 18-player team, which opens pool play July 22 against the hosts. Zepeda played at Mira Loma Jurupa Valley High and Marquand played for Irvine University.

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T.J. Simers is on vacation.