THE PRINCIPALS

KEY PEOPLE IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF FORMER NFL PLAYER RAE CARRUTH

RAE CARRUTH

A first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 1997, Carruth signed a four-year, $3.7-million contract and led NFL rookies with 44 catches. He was injured most of the next two seasons until his arrest in November 1999. Carruth, 26, could face the death penalty.

CHERICA ADAMS

Carruth’s pregnant girlfriend was murdered at age 24, but lived long enough to deliver her baby boy, Chancellor Lee Adams. Adams attended Winston-Salem State (N.C.) for two years and worked as a topless dancer.

VAN BRETT WATKINS

The admitted triggerman, Watkins, 40, has a long criminal history. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testimony, but was called by the defense.

MICHAEL EUGENE KENNEDY

The driver of the car used in the murder, Kennedy also faces a capital murder charge. He is an admitted drug dealer who testified for the prosecution without a plea agreement.

STANLEY DREW ABRAHAM

A longtime friend of Kennedy, Abraham was in the passenger seat. He has no criminal history and was not called to testify.

GENTRY CAUDILL

This is Caudill’s last trial as a deputy district attorney before he becomes a superior court judge in December. Caudill, 58, has successfully prosecuted nine capital cases in 27 years.

DAVID RUDOLF

One of North Carolina’s most respected defenders, Rudolf, 51, has tried many high-profile cases, including one recently in which a Charlotte businessman was saved from death row in the killing of the man’s wife.

MICHELLE WRIGHT

The mother of Carruth’s first child, Rae Jr., who is 6. Wright lives in Sacramento, where Carruth grew up, and testified for the prosecution.

AMBER TURNER

Carruth’s girlfriend when he attended Colorado. Turner’s two pregnancies by Carruth were ended by abortion and miscarriage. Turner, 21, testified for the prosecution.

SHIRLEY RIDDLE

A jail guard who testified for the defense that Watkins confessed to her that he shot Adams in a fit of rage because Carruth would not finance a marijuana deal.