Court rejects ex-NFL star Sharper's rape sentence appeal

NEW ORLEANS - A federal appeals court has dismissed former NFL star Darren Sharper's appeal of his sentence for drugging and raping women.The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' two-sentence order Wednesday came less than a month after a three-judge panel heard arguments. The court granted a prosecution motion to dismiss.Sharper's lawyers contended that U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo did not adequately explain the consequences of Sharper's guilty plea.Sharper had pleaded guilty or no con