Former NBA Player Testifies Against Carruth

C H A R L O T T E, N.C., Dec. 5, 2000 -- Prosecutors attempting to affirm a formergirlfriend’s testimony that Rae Carruth confessed to a drive-byshooting brought a former NBA player to the stand.

Charles Shackleford, previously with the Charlotte Hornets,testified Monday in Carruth’s murder trial that Candace Smithrelayed to him what she said Carruth told her following theNovember 1999 shooting of Cherica Adams.

Smith testified last week that Carruth, then with the NFL’sCarolina Panthers, told her he planned the shooting of Adams, whowas pregnant with Carruth’s child.

Story of Fear

Smith “said he basically confessed to her at the hospital aboutwhat happened,” Shackleford said in testimony Judge Charles Lamm told jurors to disregard.

Shackleford, a former member of the Charlotte Hornets now livingin Myrtle Beach, S.C., also testified that Smith said Carruth toldher “he had something to do with whatever happened to Cherica.”

When she told him this, “she seemed a little afraid,”Shackleford said. “She had tears in her eyes,” he added, whenasked by the prosecutor if Smith were crying.

Shackleford returned to the witness stand Tuesday forcross-examination by defense attorney David Rudolf. Rudolf’s earlyquestions concentrated on what Shackleford knew about Smith’srelationship with Carruth and when he learned about Adams’shooting.

On Monday, he admitted neither he nor Smith wanted to beinvolved in the case against Carruth. But after Carruth fled toTennessee following Adams’ death last December, Shackleford said hehired an attorney for both himself and Smith.

Shackleford said he was married at the time he was having anaffair with Smith, a previous girlfriend of Carruth’s. Shacklefordand Smith met at a Charlotte strip club where Smith worked as adancer.

Sanctions Against Police

Lamm said Monday he would consider sanctions against police, whodefense attorneys claim kept them in the dark about drug activityby co-defendant Michael Eugene Kennedy.

Kennedy testified earlier he was driving the car from whichAdams was shot on Nov. 16, 1999 and that Carruth had hatched themurder plot.

Rudolf told Lamm on Monday that prosecutors had just handed hima copy of a police report showing Kennedy had sold $650 worth ofcrack cocaine to an undercover police officer in 1996. Rudolf toldLamm he had requested all police information on Kennedy’s drugdealing months ago.

Charges were later dismissed in the 1996 case, Rudolf told thejudge, possibly because Kennedy was a drug informant.

Homicide investigators deliberately waited until Kennedyfinished his testimony before asking vice and narcotics officersabout Kennedy’s drug activities, Rudolf said.

Prosecutor David Graham told Lamm the state had turned overevidence that included the 1996 arrest. But Rudolf said thoserecords did not provide key details about the arrest.

Lamm said he would hear arguments on the defense motion Friday.He also said he would allow the defense to recall Kennedy for morecross-examination.

Death Penalty Possible

Carruth, 26, could be executed if convicted of murdering Adams,24.

Carruth claims he had nothing to do with the shooting. Hislawyers claim admitted triggerman Van Brett Watkins acted on hisown when he shot Adams because he was angry at her and Carruth overa foiled drug deal.

Outside the courthouse, Rudolf said the latest twist should makeanyone skeptical about what police aren’t telling him about theco-defendants.

“I have trouble believing just about anything they say aboutMichael Kennedy and drugs,” he said.