Pool Mechanic Charged in Death of Gerulaitis

A mechanic for a pool heating company has been charged in connection with the death of tennis star Vitas Gerulaitis from carbon monoxide poisoning, a lawyer in the case said Monday in Southampton, N.Y.

Bart Torpey, a mechanic for Recreational Concepts of Sag Harbor, and the company were indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury on a charge of criminally negligent homicide stemming from Gerulaitis’s death, according to Torpey’s lawyer, John O’Brien.

“My client has been made a scapegoat in a very tragic death,” O’Brien said. “I am sure my client will be vindicated.”

Torpey, 35, will plead innocent to the charge at his arraignment today.

Gerulaitis, 40, was found dead Sept. 18 in a guest cottage on the oceanfront estate of his friend Martin Raynes.

The Suffolk medical examiner attributed the cause of death to carbon monoxide poisoning. Tests showed that 75% of Gerulaitis’ blood was saturated with the lethal gas.

Investigators said a malfunction in the heating system for the pool was the source. The heating unit was installed by Torpey in April underneath the guest cottage.

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The drug-related ban of British discus thrower Peter Gordon, who suffers from cancer, was lifted by track’s world governing body. Gordon was suspended for four years for failing to provide a complete urine sample at the British championships in June 1993. Gordon, who has testicular cancer, was unable to provide the sample because of his illness.

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A lawyer for Rex Henley, one of four co-defendants convicted of cocaine trafficking with his nephew, former Ram cornerback Darryl Henley, has requested a new trial, alleging one juror expressed racial prejudice and another discussed taking a bribe to change his vote.

Tennis

Thomas Muster, unbeaten in 28 consecutive matches on clay, will be seeded fifth when the French Open starts Monday. Top-seeded are Andre Agassi, the winner of the last two Grand Slam tournaments, and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, the French Open’s defending woman champion.

Germany’s Karsten Braasch and Patrike Kuehnen upset the American team of Richey Reneberg and Jared Palmer, 1-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, to give Germany a 2-1 victory in the World Team Cup in Duesseldorf.

Second-seeded Richard Fromberg of Australia was upset by Marcelo Filippini of Uruguay, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, in the first round of the Bologna, Italy, tournament.

Las Vegas and Moscow will be the host cities for this year’s Davis Cup semifinals.

Miscellany

Golf great Ben Hogan, 82, went home to Ft. Worth, Tex., after an operation to remove a tumor from his colon. . . . Phoenix coach Paul Westphal said he signed a contract extension months before the Suns’ elimination from the playoffs. . . . The Dallas Cowboys signed quarterback Wade Wilson as a backup for starter Troy Aikman. . . . Morry Stillwell has been elected president of the U.S. Figure Skating Association. . . . The U.S. women’s soccer team defeated Canada, 2-1, in an exhibition in Edmonton. . . . Long Beach State right-hander Rocky Biddle has been invited to the U.S. national baseball team’s spring camp.