NFL's Lane Slain

July 7, 2000 -- Indianapolis Colts running back Fred Lane, whose brushes with the lawincreased as his career faded, was shot to death Thursday by his wife,police said.

Lane was pronounced dead at his Charlotte home at 3:15 p.m. after anargument with his wife, 25-year-old Deidra.

Authorities said Deidra Lane, 25, shot her husband, but afterspeaking with her late into the evening, Charlotte-Mecklenburgpolice decided not to file charges.

“The investigation to this point has revealed that Deidra Laneshot her husband during a domestic dispute,” the police said in astatement.

A 7-day-old infant was with Deidra Lane when she was questioned at the police station.The Lanes also have a 5-year-old son.

Lane, 24, was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m. ET, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Capt. Chuck Johnson said.

He was traded by Carolina to Indianapolis in April. In astatement the Colts said the team was “shocked and saddened” bynews of Lane’s death. “Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Fred’s family,” the statement said.

Recent Troubles

Lane’s father, Fred Lane Sr., said his son and daughter-in-lawhad been having difficulties recently. Lane had spent the pastcouple of weeks at the family home in Nashville, Tenn., but visitedCharlotte briefly a week ago, his father said.

He had left Tennessee on a flight to Charlotte about two hoursbefore he was shot, the elder Lane said.

Mrs. Lane filed a domestic complaint against her husband inMarch, saying her husband snatched a necklace from around her neckduring an argument, causing her to fall. She did not press charges.

The 24-year-old running back also had a case pending against him related to his Feb. 3 arrest after officers found 1.3 grams of marijuana and a .22-caliber rifle in his car, police said. Lane was charged then with possession of a deadly weapon and marijuana.

A grand jury in Jackson, Tenn., indicted Laneon the misdemeanor drug charges, but prosecutors dropped weaponscharges against him, saying Wednesday there wasn’t enough evidenceto support it.

Franchise Rushing Leader

Lane played three seasons for Carolina before being traded toIndianapolis in the off season. He remains the Panthers’ careerrushing leader with 2,004 yards.

At the time of his trade, Carolina coach George Seifert saidthat team owner Jerry Richardson never ordered him to drop Lane,but he knew the Panthers had to cut their ties with troublesomeplayers. Seifert hinted that Lane never understood the scrutinythat professional athletes were under.

Originally from Franklin, Tenn., Lane went to Lane College andsigned as a free agent with Carolina in 1997.

The Panthers suspended Lane for one game in 1998 when he made alewd gesture to fans at Giants Stadium after scoring a touchdownagainst the New York Jets.

Lane’s death is the second incident of domestic violenceinvolving a Colts player in recent months. Defensive back SteveMuhammad is awaiting trial on domestic battery charges involvinghis wife, Nichole. Nichole Muhammad died Nov. 7 after injuries froma car accident forced her into premature labor. The couple’s babywas stillborn and she bled to death following the delivery.

Lane also is one of two former Panthers to face legal troublesin recent months.

Rae Carruth, the Panthers’ top 1997 draft pick, was charged lastfall with fatally shooting his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams.Carruth is being held without bond in Charlotte while he awaitstrial.

The Panthers re-signed Lane before the 1999 season to atwo-year, $1.276 million contract with a $300,000 signing bonus.Lane shared rushing duties with Tshimanga Biakabutuka but playedlargely as a backup late in the season.

In what would be his last game for Carolina, Lane started for aninjured Biakabutuka and rushed for a season-high 90 yards and hisonly touchdown of the season in a loss at Pittsburgh.

ABC Radio and The Associated Press contributed to this report.