DOLPHINS' TONY MARTIN FOUND INNOCENT

MIAMI - Miami Dolphins receiver Tony Martin was acquitted today
of charges of money laundering and conspiracy stemming from his
longtime friendship with a drug dealer.

Jurors found the Pro Bowl receiver innocent on four federal counts of
laundering drug money for Rickey Brownlee and one count of conspiracy
to hide drug proceeds.

If convicted, Martin could have faced three to five years in
prison.

Martin bowed his head as the verdicts were read. His lawyer, Howard
Srebnick, hugged Martin and Martin's father, Hal, shouted ``Praise
God.''

Brownlee was found guilty on all the money laundering charges and
convicted of possessing heroin or cocaine with the intent to
distribute and conspiracy to possess and distribute.

Today's verdict leaves Martin free to play this season with the
Dolphins.

The team signed him to a four-year, $14.2 million contract in April
after he was cut by the Atlanta Falcons. But, Martin collected only
$150,000 of a $3.3 million signing bonus, with the remainder pending
the trial's outcome.

Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson and several players sat through opening
arguments to show their support for Martin, and quarterback Dan Marino
took the stand as a character witness.