CHARLOTTE (Court TV) — Rae Carruth was looking forward to the birth of his son, a Carolina Panther teammate testified Wednesday, refuting prosecution charges that the NFL player had his pregnant girlfriend killed to avoid paying child support.

Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad was the third in a parade of former teammates who the defense has called to elevate the jury's opinion of Carruth's character. Muhammad said that rather than panicking when Cherica Adams became pregnant, Carruth was excited about being an active father and planned to maintain a close friendship with Adams.

Read about Lee's testimony

In addition to Muhammad, jurors also heard from noted forensic scientist Henry Lee. His testimony was videotaped last week because of scheduling conflicts, and on Wednesday, the panel watched his image flickering on a large screen television. Lee cast doubt on the state's contention that Carruth played an active role in the drive-by shooting by pinning in her car with his vehicle.

Adams, seven-months pregnant, was fatally shot Nov. 16, 1999 as she drove her car along a dark, winding road. She died a month later, but her son, Chancellor, survived. Prosecutors allege Carruth enlisted three men to kill her, but the defense says she was the victim of a botched drug deal.

Muhammad, a 6-foot-2-inch, 217-pound Pro Bowler, took the stand as he and the rest of the Panthers prepare for their final home game of the season. With a 6-8 record, the team is out of playoff contention.

Like the teammates that testified before him, Muhammad said he was incredulous when he heard Carruth was accused of murder.

"Are you sure we're talking about the same Rae?" he recalled asking. He testified that he had seen Rae the afternoon before the shooting, and he was "pretty much the same Rae."

"Rae was the type of guy who avoided conflict, he wasn't the type to argue," he said.

Muhammad said he had shared a hotel room with Carruth during three seasons, and never saw him act violent or mean. He said Carruth was often a guest in his home, loved by his wife, children and even mother-in-law.

Through his testimony, Muhammad described the details of life as a professional football player. He discussed locker room antics, contract negotiations and hotel room curfews. Because of the latter, Muhammad testified, he and Carruth had ample opportunities for conversation.

He said Carruth told him that Adams' pregnancy offered him a chance for redemption in some ways. He had fathered a child by a high school friend while playing at the University of Colorado, and while he paid monthly child support, he rarely saw the boy.

"I think he felt bad about the fact that he had a child...and wasn't able to form a bond," said Muhammad. "He missed first birthday and other events like that."

Muhammad recalled giving him two pieces of advice: get a paternity test and if the baby is yours, participate fully in its life. Carruth seemed to listen, he said.

Muhammad joined his teammates in refuting state testimony that Carruth was teased by fellow players about Adams' pregnancy. He also dismissed prosecution suggestions that Carruth, sidelined twice with injuries during his career with the Panthers, was concerned about money.

Muhammad pointed out that he had been injury-plagued early on in his career and had gone on to tremendous success. Carruth was optimistic, he said.

With Muhammad's testimony, defense attorney David Rudolf continued highlighting the character of his witnesses. The wide receiver talked at length about his own family. Muhammad managed to mention that his brother was a West Point graduate and his mother a school board member. He also touched on his happy marriage to his high school sweetheart and his two daughters.

Rudolf appears to be drawing a distinction between his witnesses and the state's star witnesses, admitted crack dealer Michael Kennedy, and former nude dancer Candace Smith.