Kane pleads guilty to manslaughter

MONTREAL — Former Seahawk Tommy Kane pleaded guilty yesterday in Quebec Superior Court to manslaughter in the death of his wife.

Kane, a receiver for the Seahawks from 1988 to 1992, will have a sentencing hearing Sept. 27.

Kane's wife, Tammara Shaikh, died after police found her on the floor of a Montreal apartment on Nov. 30, 2003. Kane and the 35-year-old Shaikh, who were separated at the time, have four young children.

Shaikh had been stabbed and beaten to death, prosecutor Louis Bouthillier said yesterday outside court.

Kane, 40, originally pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and was expected to have a date set for a trial.

Bouthillier said a government prosecutor and a defense psychiatrist both concluded the ex-football player suffered from depression before the killing.

"We did not have proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Tommy Kane intended the death of his wife," Bouthillier said.

Kane, who was born in Montreal, enjoyed a stellar career at Syracuse from 1985 to 1987.

In 1990, he broke out with 52 catches for 776 yards for Seattle. He caught 50 passes for 763 yards in 1991.

Knee and ankle injuries hindered him in 1992, and the Seahawks cut him before the 1993 season.