Man convicted of shooting Collier

A jury convicted an ex-con Thursday of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier in 2008.

The six-person jury deliberated two hours and 45 minutes before returning its verdict against Tyrone Hartsfield, 33, at the end of a nine-day trial.

Hartsfield faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in December. He still faces a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, but it's not clear if prosecutors will pursue it.

Hartsfield was visibly shaken by the verdict, and his sister went into hysterics and had to be led from the courtroom.

After the verdict, Hartsfield surprised his attorneys and the judge when he asked to make a statement.

"I feel like I didn't receive a fair trial," he said, adding his case should have been moved to another city.

Collier watched much of the closing arguments while seated in his wheelchair in the courtroom gallery. He was shot six times as he waited in his car outside a Jacksonville apartment building. Collier was paralyzed from the waist down, and his left leg was amputated.

Roethlisberger accuser quits job: The woman who filed a civil lawsuit accusing Ben Roethlisberger of raping her has quit her job at the Lake Tahoe hotel-casino where she claims the assault occurred in the NFL quarterback's penthouse room more than a year ago.

The woman had been working as a VIP host at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in July 2008 when she alleges the two-time Super Bowl champ for the Pittsburgh Steelers lured her to his room under false pretenses and forced himself on her.

Her lawyer, Cal Dunlap, said Friday she quit "because of the way Harrah's was treating her."

Broncos sign Law: Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos.

The 35-year-old Law, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, will fit right in with veterans Champ Bailey, Andre' Goodman, Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill, all in their 30s.

Colts beaten up: The Indianapolis Colts suddenly have some serious holes in the secondary: Cornerback Marlin Jackson and strong safety Bob Sanders are both gone for the season.

The team said Friday that Jackson (left knee) and Sanders (left elbow) have both been put on injured reserve.

Sanders will undergo surgery for a torn biceps.

Veteran cornerback Kelvin Hayden is also expected to be sidelined for the next three to four weeks with a knee sprain.

The Colts host Houston on Sunday.

Ex-Viking arrested: Former Minnesota first-round pick Erasmus James was arrested early Thursday after punching a friend in the face at a bar in Madison, Wis.

Authorities say the 27-year-old James began fighting with a friend after James tried to order a drink at a bar near Wisconsin's campus after closing time.

The Wisconsin State Journal first reported the arrest.

James was released from the Dane County Jail. A prosecutor will decide if a battery charge is warranted.

A former Wisconsin standout at defensive end, James played three injury-plagued seasons for the Vikings after being picked 18th overall in 2005. He was traded to Washington last year and played in five games before being cut in December.

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