Mass. court upholds convictions in Pierce stabbing

BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Appeals Court has upheld the convictions of two men convicted of attacking Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce in 2000 during a party at a Boston nightclub.

The court on Tuesday rejected appeals by William Ragland and Trevor Watson, who argued that their convictions should be thrown out because a grand jury witness who gave incriminating testimony recanted when she testified during the trial.

Ragland was sentenced to seven to 10 years in prison, while Watson received a sentence of one year.

Pierce received eight stab wounds and was hit over the head with a bottle during the attack in the Buzz Club on Sept. 25, 2000.

Pierce testified that he was set upon by a group of men after he had a brief conversation with two women, including one who was related to both Ragland and Watson.

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