KING'S DEFENSE CLOSES ARGUMENTS BY ASKING FOR A MISTRIAL

     In his closing argument in the federal wire fraid trial
against boxing promoter Don King, King's defense attorney, Peter
Fleming, asked for a mistrial regarding the prosecution's
labeling of King as a "liar."  According to the WASHINGTON POST,
the motion was not granted, but the judge did warn the
prosecution.  Fleming spent the rest of his statement attacking
the testimony of former and current King employees, noting they
had been granted immunity."  Prosecutor Paul Gardephe is expected
to conclude his rebutall on Monday (Athelia Knight, WASHINGTON
POST, 11/10).  In New York, Richard Sandomir writes, "Don King's
monthlong wire-fraud trial yesterday was reduced to one question:
Whom do you trust, King or Joseph Maffia, his chief accuser"
(N.Y. TIMES, 11/10).  ESPN's Jimmy Roberts agrees:  "The verdict
will likely be decided on the basis of whether you believe Joseph
Maffia or Don King" ("SportsCenter," 11/9).