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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 2, 2001

Giants waive defensive end charged with aggravated manslaughter

Associated Press

Defensive end Jeremiah Parker, who is accused with his girlfriend of aggravated manslaughter in the death of her 4-year-old son, was waived yesterday by the New York Giants.

"Jeremiah obviously has some serious issues that he needs to devote his time and energy to," general manager Ernie Accorsi said in a statement released by the team. "We feel it's in his best interests and ours for him to be able to concentrate solely on those issues."

As a rookie last season, Parker appeared in just four games. The 6-5, 270-pound Parker was the Giants seventh-round draft choice in 2000 from the University of California.

Parker, 23, who is free on bail, has been living in Haledon not far from Giants Stadium.

Parker's 19-year-old girlfriend, Tauleah Kelly, remains in the Passaic County Jail on $300,000 bail.

Both are accusing each other of the abuse that led to the May 14 death of Elijah Kelly. They are charged with aggravated manslaughter and child abuse.

The boy died two days after Parker found him motionless on the bedroom floor of his condominium. An autopsy revealed Elijah died from blunt force injuries to the head that were sustained over time.

CARDINALS

Wadsworth a free agent: Arizona withdrew a tender offer to injured defensive end Andre Wadsworth yesterday, making him a free agent.

Coach Dave McGinnis made the decision because of a combination of factors, including Wadsworth's refusal to sign the $512,000 tender. McGinnis also said Wadsworth's health was a primary concern.

"There's maybe a time frame as to when he would be ready, and our football team is in such a state right now that we're not really strong enough to be able to wait on a whole lot of things," McGinnis said.

Wadsworth was the No. 3 pick in the 1998 draft. But his rookie year was his only full season. After that, he was hampered by knee problems that first appeared in 1999.

Wadsworth has 119 tackles, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception in his career. Wadsworth will cost $5.2 million against the cap this year.

COLTS

Manning criticizes James: Peyton Manning isn't content to stand on the sidelines and watch silently as one of the key members of Indianapolis' offense stays away from a voluntary three-week camp.

Yesterday, the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback criticized running back Edgerrin James for missing the first four days of the camp and pleaded with him to arrive by Monday.

"Guys like Marvin (Harrison) and Ellis (Johnson) are guys that have been here six or seven years and they're here," Manning said. "We're a football team, and you want to be able to work and get some timing things done."

REDSKINS

Barber signs: After months of attempting to agree on a long-term contract, linebacker Shawn Barber signed a one-year, $1.115 million deal with Washington yesterday.

Barber has been the starting weak-side linebacker the past two seasons. He has played in 46 games since joining the Redskins, making 31 starts.