Carruth guilty, but avoids death

Cherica Adams, 24, was shot four times on a Charlotte street in November 1999 in an attack that prosecutors said Carruth masterminded to avoid paying child support. Prosecutors said he used his car to box in Adams and set her up for the kill by a hired gunman.

Adams died a month later. Her son, fathered by Carruth, was delivered by emergency Caesarean section and is now in the custody of Adams' mother.

The jury took about 20 hours to reach the verdict, which came a day after it reported it was deadlocked. In addition to conspiracy, the former Carolina Panthers receiver was found guilty of shooting into an occupied vehicle and using an instrument -- a gun -- to try to destroy an unborn child.

Sentencing was set for Monday.

Defense attorney David Rudolf said he will ask the judge to throw out the conspiracy conviction because it is inconsistent with acquittal on the murder charge.

"I believe in my client's innocence, and I don't feel he is guilty of any of the charges," he said.

The jurors refused to comment as they left court in a group.

Carruth showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. Among the spectators, Adams' mother hugged another woman and appeared to be crying. She also hugged prosecutors.

"I think they believe justice has truly been served. Justice has spoken," said Frank Porter, a lawyer for Adams' father.

Carruth's mother, Theodry, stared quietly at her son. After he was led out of court, she and supporters huddled together and prayed.

Some of the most damning testimony came from Adams herself. Prosecutors played a recording of her 911 call moments after she was shot. Moaning in pain, Adams said Carruth had stopped his Ford Expedition in front of her car, and "somebody pulled up beside me and did this. ... I think he did it. I don't know what to think."

Carruth claimed he was miles away from the shooting and had nothing to do with its planning.<