A SC jury on Friday "rejected LESLIE PRICE's claim"
that Hornets Owner GEORGE SHINN "sexually assaulted her,"
according to Chandler & Eichel of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
who reported that a verdict "came just one hour and 43
minutes after jurors began deliberations." Shinn, in a
statement: "I am personally very sorry for the embarrassment
that these absurd accusations caused my family, friends,
employees and the people of Charlotte. We have all made
mistakes during our lifetime, and this is one that I hope
everyone will allow me to put in the past." Court TV said
that the case, which it broadcast nationwide, drew some of
the net's "highest ratings ever" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
12/18). In Winston-Salem, John DeLong wrote that Hornets
players, "on orders from management, declined to comment" on
the outcome. Hornets coach Paul Silas: "We're just happy
that things turned out as they did" (W-S JOURNAL, 12/18).
In Charlotte, Tommy Tomlinson wrote that "only in legal
terms is Shinn the winner" in the case. Noting Shinn was
not present for the verdict, Tomlinson wrote, "He probably
knew that no matter the outcome, he had no reason to
celebrate. He'd already lost plenty" (C. OBSERVER, 12/18).
