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Death Blow to Weber Case

"`I don't see how the death of Martin can be viewed in any other way than an unfortunate jolt to the prosecution's case,' said Larry Dubin, a professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy who specializes in evidence and trial procedure.

"Martin was a key witness for the government `who had the ability to explain all aspects of the prosecution's case in a coherent way. Now that his voice has been silenced, other evidence may be admissible, but it will be more fragmented in its presentation,' said Dubin.

"Martin, 69, died Friday of a pulmonary embolism, according to officials at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

"…Martin would have been a central witness in the trial of Webber, who is accused of lying in the summer of 2000 to a federal grand jury gathering evidence in the investigation of Martin's illegal gambling business. Webber, who now plays for the NBA's Sacramento Kings, denied receiving any significant benefits from Martin while in college. Yet Martin said last May in a plea agreement that he loaned Webber and his family $280,000 in cash and benefits.

"…But now that Martin is dead, any testimony he gave before the federal grand jury would be inadmissible because Webber's defense lawyers would not have the opportunity to cross examine him, Dubin said.

"…The government has evidence against Webber other than Martin's testimony, but the amount of detail is unclear.

"…Webber was indicted last September on charges of conspiring to obstruct justice and lying to a federal grand jury. His father, Mayce, and an aunt also were indicted…"

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