Alexie can testify in Sonics trial

A federal judge says National Book Award winner Sherman Alexie can testify for the city of Seattle in its trial next week against the Seattle SuperSonics.

But local sports talk radio host Mitch Levy can't testify because the city disclosed him as a potential witness too late, and the team didn't have a chance to depose him, U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman ruled today.

Lawyers for the city said they hoped to call Alexie because he's a season-ticket holder, a big fan and can discuss the team's importance in Seattle. Attorneys for the Sonics claimed he had nothing relevant to say.

Pechman also denied several motions by the city to limit evidence that the Sonics can introduce at the trial, which begins June 16.

That means that Sonics' attorneys will be allowed to offer evidence of the time and money that team owner Clay Bennett spent trying to land an arena deal in the Seattle area.

The Sonics also will be able to introduce evidence of "dysfunction" between city officials and the team, as well as a January poll which showed that nearly two-thirds of Seattle-area residents don't care if the team leaves.

In her written ruling, Pechman said she would not restrict the team's ability "to determine which evidence it chooses to present" during the six-day trial.

The federal lawsuit by the city of Seattle seeks to force the Sonics to play out the remainder of the team's KeyArena lease through September 2010. Bennett wants to pay a cash settlement in exchange for leaving early and moving the team to Oklahoma City.