<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F02%2F19%2Fworld%2Fafrica%2Fsouth-africa-pistorius-case%2Findex.html">Oscar "Bladerunner" Pistorius</a> has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who was found shot dead in his home on February 13. Pistorius was the first disabled person to compete in the able-bodied Olympics and ran for the South African team. Here's a look at other pro athletes who have been charged with murder. Some have been able to create new lives in the free world. Some are incarcerated.
Athletes charged with murder —
Oscar "Bladerunner" Pistorius has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who was found shot dead in his home on February 13. Pistorius was the first disabled person to compete in the able-bodied Olympics and ran for the South African team. Here's a look at other pro athletes who have been charged with murder. Some have been able to create new lives in the free world. Some are incarcerated.
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<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1018022%2Findex.htm" target="_blank">Rae Carruth</a>, who was a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, became the first active NFL player ever charged with first-degree murder for the death of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, in December 1999. Prosecutors said he arranged for her to be killed in a drive-by shooting. He was convicted for conspiring in her murder and is now in prison. The unborn child, a boy, survived.
Athletes charged with murder —
Rae Carruth, who was a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, became the first active NFL player ever charged with first-degree murder for the death of his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, in December 1999. Prosecutors said he arranged for her to be killed in a drive-by shooting. He was convicted for conspiring in her murder and is now in prison. The unborn child, a boy, survived.
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Middleweight boxer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2011%2FCRIME%2F02%2F26%2Frubin.hurricane.carter.book%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Rubin Carter</a>, known as "Hurricane" in the ring, served 18 years in prison for a triple homicide that took place in a bar in 1966. A federal judge overturned his sentence and that of his supposed accomplice, John Artis, in 1985, ruling that the conviction was based on "racial stereotypes, fears and prejudices."
Athletes charged with murder —
Middleweight boxer Rubin Carter, known as "Hurricane" in the ring, served 18 years in prison for a triple homicide that took place in a bar in 1966. A federal judge overturned his sentence and that of his supposed accomplice, John Artis, in 1985, ruling that the conviction was based on "racial stereotypes, fears and prejudices."
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Groundbreaking skateboarder <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.10news.com%2Fnews%2Fparole-denied-for-local-skateboarding-legend" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mark "Gator" Rogowski</a> confessed to beating and raping Jessica Bergsten, then choking her to death and burying her in the desert in 1991. Bergstein was a friend of his former girlfriend, and Rogowski testified that he acted out of misplaced anger against his ex. Rogowski was denied parole in 2011 and will not be eligible for parole again until 2018.
Athletes charged with murder —
Groundbreaking skateboarder Mark "Gator" Rogowski confessed to beating and raping Jessica Bergsten, then choking her to death and burying her in the desert in 1991. Bergstein was a friend of his former girlfriend, and Rogowski testified that he acted out of misplaced anger against his ex. Rogowski was denied parole in 2011 and will not be eligible for parole again until 2018.
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F02%2F01%2Fus%2Fnfl-ray-lewis-redemption%2F" target="_blank">Ray Lewis</a> and two others were charged with murder in 2000 after a fight in a popular Atlanta bar district left two men dead on the street. The murder charges against Lewis were dropped after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice and testified against his friends; they were later acquitted. Lewis announced his retirement before helping the Ravens win the Super Bowl earlier this month.
Athletes charged with murder —
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and two others were charged with murder in 2000 after a fight in a popular Atlanta bar district left two men dead on the street. The murder charges against Lewis were dropped after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice and testified against his friends; they were later acquitted. Lewis announced his retirement before helping the Ravens win the Super Bowl earlier this month.
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<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2010%2FCRIME%2F08%2F05%2Fbrazil.goalie%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Bruno Souza</a>, a former goalie for the Brazilian soccer club Flamengo, was arrested in August 2010 in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend, Eliza Samudio, who had disappeared two months before. Souza, his lover and his wife were among nine people charged with torturing and murdering Samudio, who had been trying to prove he had fathered her son. He is serving a 4½-year sentence for assaulting and kidnapping Samudio, and now faces a murder trial.
Athletes charged with murder —
Bruno Souza, a former goalie for the Brazilian soccer club Flamengo, was arrested in August 2010 in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend, Eliza Samudio, who had disappeared two months before. Souza, his lover and his wife were among nine people charged with torturing and murdering Samudio, who had been trying to prove he had fathered her son. He is serving a 4½-year sentence for assaulting and kidnapping Samudio, and now faces a murder trial.
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Although <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.cnn.com%2Ftopics%2Fo_j_simpson" target="_blank">O.J. Simpson</a> was found not guilty, the 1995 trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman has kept him a household name. O.J. Simpson played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. In October 2008 Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in prison on multiple counts, including armed robbery and kidnapping, in connection with a robbery at a Las Vegas hotel in 2007.
Athletes charged with murder —
Although O.J. Simpson was found not guilty, the 1995 trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman has kept him a household name. O.J. Simpson played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. In October 2008 Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in prison on multiple counts, including armed robbery and kidnapping, in connection with a robbery at a Las Vegas hotel in 2007.
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Retired basketball star <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2010%2FCRIME%2F02%2F23%2Fjayson.williams.sentencing%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Jayson Williams</a> was sentenced in 2010 to five years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in the fatal shooting of his limo driver in 2002. Costas "Gus" Christofi, 55, had been hired to shuttle Williams and friends around for the night and was shot in he bedroom of Williams' New Jersey estate. Williams had played nine seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets.
Athletes charged with murder —
Retired basketball star Jayson Williams was sentenced in 2010 to five years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in the fatal shooting of his limo driver in 2002. Costas "Gus" Christofi, 55, had been hired to shuttle Williams and friends around for the night and was shot in he bedroom of Williams' New Jersey estate. Williams had played nine seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets.
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