Game-Fix Counts Against Tulane Player Dismissed

NEW ORLEANS — Charges against Tulane University basketball player John (Hot Rod) Williams of shaving points in a gambling scheme were dismissed today by a criminal judge who said prosecutors botched the case.

Orleans Parish Judge Alvin Oser quashed the indictment that charged Williams with shaving points in two Metro Conference basketball games this year. Williams, the state said, was the key player involved in a conspiracy to fix the outcome of the games and split gambling winnings.

Williams, drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA, was granted a mistrial earlier this month because prosecutors had failed to turn over important evidence to his defense attorneys.

Williams was indicted with two other players, four fraternity brothers and two suspected bookies on charges that he accepted thousands of dollars and cocaine to shave points. The scandal led Tulane to do away with its men’s basketball program.