EX-BASKETBALL STAR CONVICTED OF KILLING WOMAN OVER DRUGS

A Montgomery County jury yesterday convicted onetime college basketball
star Howard McNeil of killing Frances "Francine" Brennan, a Norristown drug
dealer, to get her stash and feed his thirst for crack cocaine.

McNeil was found guilty of third-degree murder. With guilty verdicts on
related theft and drug charges, he faces 35 to 70 years in prison. The jury
declined to convict McNeil of first-or second-degree murder, which could
have put him in jail for life.

"I think they focused on the fact that he was high on crack when he did
it," said Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Davidoff.
"But he's facing enough time to keep him in jail for the rest of his life.
And that's what we'll be seeking."

McNeil's attorney, Stephen Jarrett, said he expected McNeil to appeal.

It was the nadir of a long decline for McNeil, 39, whose life has been
blessed with talent but marred by violence.

A Seton Hall University basketball star from Abington, McNeil was drafted
by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982. Poised at the cusp of an NBA career, he
was already being compared to Magic Johnson.

In the courtroom yesterday, ravaged by addiction, he was a long way from
basketball glory.

Davidoff convinced the jury that McNeil, high and broke -- but desperate
for more crack -- went to Brennan's apartment to get more. When Brennan
would not give it to him, the 6-foot-9, 265-pound McNeil took it anyway --
with deadly force.

Brennan, who weighed 100 pounds, was beaten, stabbed, strangled and
suffocated in her apartment in the 1000 block of West Main Street. Her
crack was stolen.

Jarrett, while conceding McNeil had taken the crack, had tried to blame
Brennan's murder on her drug-dealing partners.

Davidoff said: "The jury clearly rejected the defense that McNeil didn't do
it."

McNeil had no comment as he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs. His
sister, Luretha Simms, said she thought the verdict was unfair.

"All the evidence pointed to somebody else, and they didn't look at it,"
Simms said. "I hope there's a retrial."

Brennan's family was no happier with the verdict.

"I don't understand how all that constitutes third-degree murder," said
Frank Golson, Brennan's son. "You stab, beat, strangle somebody. How much
worse does it have to get?"

McNeil has faced murder charges before. At a party in 1976, while still a
standout center at Abington High School, McNeil shot and killed Mitchell
Lee Jr., his best friend.

A Montgomery County jury found the shooting accidental, and acquitted
McNeil. McNeil went on to a stellar career at Seton Hall. While he never
made the NBA, he did play basketball professionally in Europe, South
America and Israel.

McNeil will be held in Montgomery County prison until his sentencing, which
has not been scheduled. He also is awaiting trial on unrelated assault
charges.