Dennehy's mother settles with Baylor

WACO, Texas - The mother of a slain Baylor basketball player has resolved "potential claims" with the school and will not sue, university officials said Wednesday.

Valorie Brabazon's son, Patrick Dennehy, was missing nearly six weeks before his body was found near campus last summer. His former teammate and roommate, Carlton Dotson, has been charged with murder.

The university's attorney, Noley Bice, said all parties had agreed not to comment on the resolution beyond a brief statement confirming that Brabazon, who lives in Carson City, would not sue the school's current or former employees in relation to the slaying.

Bice declined to say whether Baylor would pay Brabazon. "It means we're not going to have a lawsuit, and everything's over," he said.

Brabazon and her attorneys, Michael Pezzulli and Jim Skinner, did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press.

Baylor's announcement comes three months after a judge threw out Patrick Dennehy Sr.'s wrongful death lawsuit against the university.

Dennehy, who had not been involved in his son's life since he was a child, sought unspecified damages. He claimed his son became the target of "violent threats" because the athlete intended to expose wrongdoing in the basketball program.

But the judge said Baylor could not have foreseen the slaying of 21-year-old Dennehy, who was shot twice in the head.

Authorities have never disclosed a motive in the slaying.

Dotson is awaiting an August trial. He could get life in prison if convicted.

Dennehy's death prompted intense scrutiny of Baylor and its basketball program. Baylor president Robert Sloan said earlier this year that former basketball coach Dave Bliss made up to $40,000 in improper payments to athletes, including Dennehy.