FanHouse Murder

Team Red Bull started their day with a moment of silence for mechanic Jimmy Sprinkle, 44, who was gunned down outside his farm in Love, N.C. Sprinkle had been with the #83 team for about a year and previously worked for former NCTS Champion Ted Musgrave's team.

Sprinkle had seen someone coming down his driveway Saturday night and went outside to investigate. He was shot once in the chest and died at Iredell Memorial.

Alexander County investigators and State Bureau of Investigation agents will not comment on motive are are believe to have found the shooter's vehicle, a white 1980s model Monte Carlo with a dark blue top.

Sprinkle's wife, Sylvia, said he had another life outside of racing, "We live in the farming community, he helped plow many gardens, he's out with fertilizer, anything they need to do with cattle and horses."

Statement from the #83 Red Bull Team
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the unfortunate loss of Jimmy Sprinkle's life. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Jimmy's family and friends. Jimmy was one of those hard-working crew guys with great personality that don't come around very often. Jimmy will be sorely missed at the race shop and at the track."

Hard to believe this guy had enemies. I guess everyone does, just most of them don't lead to murder. Glad to hear they have a lead.

Our condolences to the Sprinkle family.

Update: Police have identified a suspect

You may not remember the madness that was Ugueth Urbina's murder charges in Venezeula -- here's an old interview to refresh your memory -- but Urbina's trial is finally over, and it looks like he's going to be doing some time.

Urbina was convicted of "illegal deprivation of liberty" and "violating a prohibition against taking justice into his own hands," and is set to do 14 years in prison. I'm not exactly an expert on the Venezuelan legal system, where Urbina was convicted, but I'm pretty sure that last charge isn't actually a charge, and I'm pretty sure that first one is the most vague statute I've ever heard of. I mean, my roommate just deprived my liberty by hogging the bathroom 15 minutes ago. That could really apply to anything.

Anyway, Urbina's jailtime stems from an altercation in which he allegedly confronted five dudes with machetes and then tried to pour gasoline on them, Reservoir Dogs-style. That's some heavy stuff.

Of course, Urbina's lawyer is none too happy with the verdict, but since I wasn't there, and know essentially nothing about Ugueth Urbina, I'm going to have to trust the vaunted Venezeulan judicial system, vague laws or not.

Let's try a little exercise for a moment here. Close your eyes and think of a 'crooked' college football program. What comes to mind? USC? Florida State? Ohio State? Alright now close your eyes and think of a 'clean' college football program. Now what comes to mind? Penn State probably tops that list what with Joe Paterno and all the talk of doing things the right way, right?

But is there really a significant ethical difference between many of these schools?

Let's take a closer look at Penn State for a moment. They've spent the greater part of four decades cultivating an image as college football's white picket fence and apple pie team. They are led by the amiable, cuddly and grandfatherly Joe Paterno, among the most respected coaches in the game's history. They wear simple blue and white uniforms without names on the backs. They play in gritty central Pennsylvania and graduate their players.

But beneath that veneer is just enough to make you wonder.

The big recruiting hoopla this week was over USC's alleged recruiting violation in pursuit of Joe McKnight. USC coach Pete Carroll allegedly had McKnight directly or indirectly speak with Reggie Bush, a no-no per NCAA rules as Bush and all former players are considered boosters.

Well guess what, Penn State is perhaps just as guilty of a similar violation. When the Nittany Lions hosted tailback Broderick Green a few weekends ago, he met at least two former Nittany Lion players: Larry Johnson Jr. and Tamba Hali.

Broderick Green took an official visit to Penn State two weeks ago and came back very excited about his time in Happy Valley. He got to speak with Larry Johnson Jr. and Tamba Hali as the two were in town for the weekend.

"He called me from Penn State and he was so excited," [Green's Mother Wilma] Mrs. Murdock told BWI. "When he wasn't calling me, I was calling him. He loved the place and fell in love with the players."

Exsqueeze me? Whistle blowing time here. Based on what we've learned from the Joe McKnight situation this sounds like a similar recruiting violation. Last I checked Hali and Johnson are big name former Nittany Lions who are clearly classified as Boosters in NCAA rulespeak.

Noticeably absent is the requisite media firestorm about this apparent violation.

Update: Several commenters add that for various technicalities this is in fact not a violation. Apparently booster contact is illegal, except when it isn't illegal. Iike I wrote yesterday, welcome to the hell that is NCAA bylaws.

You already knew this if you follow recruiting and/or are a fan of Maryland or Illinois football. But if not, here's a sad, sad tale.

Melvin Alaeze was an all-world defensive end recruit out of Randallstown, Maryland a few years ago. He had offers from literally every major school and put on an amazing performance in the US Army High School All America game. He was tall, powerful and fast. There simply wasn't a better physical prospect in the country.

He was destined for stardom. Unfortunately, he's a terribly messed up kid.

His latest boo-boo is one that probably ends whatever limited chance he had to get his life back together. You see, Alaeze is now facing several charges including attempted murder.

Alaeze has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed robbery, car theft and use of a hand gun in the commission of a violent crime, according to Baltimore County court records.

He was arrested Jan. 13 in connection with the Christmas Eve incident at an apartment complex. The charges against Alaeze carry sentences ranging from life for attempted murder to five years for auto theft.

Those charges will effectively slam the door on any kind of college career if he doesn't end up behind bars.