Reggie Lewis case over at long last.

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

from ESPN.com, my comments follow the article.

BOSTON -- The legal battle over the death of 
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos>Boston Celtics captain 
Reggie Lewis ended Friday, 11 years after he collapsed during a pickup game.

The state Appeals Court rejected a bid by Lewis' widow, Donna Harris-Lewis, 
for a third trial in her suit against Lewis' cardiologist, Dr. Gilbert Mudge.

Attorneys for Harris-Lewis issued a statement saying they were disappointed 
by the decision. But said the legal fight had shown that Lewis was a family 
man and role model, despite what they said were Mudge's false claims of 
cocaine use by Lewis.

"We will respect the court's ruling and move forward having fought the good 
fight," the statement said.

Mudge's attorney, William Dailey Jr., said his client was "relieved."

Lewis collapsed and died while shooting baskets with friends at Brandeis 
University on July 28, 1993. Harris-Lewis alleged in her suit that Mudge 
failed to diagnose a lethal heart condition.

The first jury to hear the malpractice case deadlocked in 1999 and the 
judge declared a mistrial.

A second jury cleared Mudge of malpractice in May 2000. Harris-Lewis 
appealed last year, arguing the jury was prejudiced by Mudge's testimony 
about alleged cocaine use by Lewis.

Lewis was 27 when he collapsed during an NBA playoff game in April 1993. 
After being diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart problem, he 
transferred his care to Mudge. Lewis died two months later.


Sometimes we throw the word "tragedy" around too easily.  But this was a 
tragedy for everyone involved.  For Reggie Lewis, who died far too young, 
leaving behind a grieving family.  For his wife Donna, who never seemed to 
come to grips with the impact of his sudden death more than a decade 
ago.  For his teammates on the Celtics, who were expecting him to succeed 
no less than Larry Bird himself as the Celtics on-court leader.  For Dr. 
Mudge--who, from all appearances, tried to spare family, friends and 
teammates the notion of possible cocaine use and ended up enduring two 
trials because of it.  And for his fans, who often wonder "what might have 
been".

The Celtics--out of sheer necessity--have since moved on.  The fans 
remember fondly with a wisp of melancholy, and have also moved on.  Now, 
perhaps Lewis' family, and Dr. Mudge and his family can start that process 
for themselves.  I hope so.


Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Please visit the <http://www.celticsbeagle.net/>Celtics Beagle Website