In 2014, he spoke at the NFLs rookie symposium, sharing his story and pleading with young athletes to not make the same mistakes he made. Johnathan Thurston says Canterbury Bulldogs players could not defend themselves amid gang-rape allegations, Follow our live blog for the latest from the Met Gala, Catch up with The Loop, your quick wrap of this morning's news, Keep up with the latest ASX and business news. For the female it would be way too much work. "She was someone that I gained a lot of courage from, and I looked up to her in that sense. But in the days after the accident, Tintor's family did feel the support of Las Vegas. Komazec's family joined them a year later, and they all lived under one roof in Las Vegas for about four years. St. George Illawarra Dragons player Jack de Belin has been stood down. Thurston is now married to Samantha Lynch, and the pair have three girls, 18-month-old Lillie, three-year-old Charlie and five-year-old Frankie. Why was a football player with a multimillion-dollar contract in his car rather than one of the numerous rideshare options? I was not involved in any capacity with the woman who made the accusations. "Speaking about it is quite difficult knowing that my daughters will probably see this when they're older and having to sit down and explain to them what is my side of this story is going to be tough.". "I was angry for a long time but now, looking back, I can understand that she went through a lot too. See www.couriermail.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details. (Police did not conduct a field sobriety test at the site of the crash.) In 2000, when she was a toddler, Tintor, her parents and her brother, Djordje, came to the United States. "You're under pressure when you're on camera," she laughed. In an emotional interview with Channel Nine's 60 Minutes, Thurston who went on to become one of the greatest NRL players of all time with the North Queensland Cowboys said he was denied a chance to defend himself. They certainly did during the Bulldogs Coffs Harbour dramas back in 2004. The Clark County coroner ruled in December that Tintor and her dog burned to death in the crash. Tina's mother cried. Jerseys; Jackets; T-Shirts; Shorts & Pants; Sweaters; Youth . Home delivery is not available in all areas and is not the regional edition. ", NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy also issued a statement, saying, Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim of this horrific tragedy. There were photos of that charred vehicle, a RAV4, and news that the driver of that car had died. A valid active email address and Australian mobile phone number are required for account set up. In 2004, several Bulldogs players were accused of sexual assault after a night out in Coffs Harbour. He wants to meet with state legislators about toughening DUI laws. Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? When Thurston and his teammates made their way to the pool recovery session, the woman was spotted sitting outside the hotel crying at 6.45am. The fire in the RAV4 pops so loudly that it apparently sets off a car alarm. The gym touts itself as a premier sports facility, catering to pro-level athletes. The club cannot divorce itself from all responsibility for those players' behaviour. She's got a right Lotte cheek with tantrums, feisty remarks and bossing her brothers about. She took him wherever he needed to go, and she was supposed to pick him up from work the morning she died. She said she was vaginally, orally and anally raped by six Bulldogs players in the pool area of the Pacific Bay Resort. The accused players were never named, leaving the whole team under a cloud, especially the high-profile Mason. Because he always told me, 'I will do something great. "Looking back now, I can see how distasteful and disrespectful it was. Staff Writers from Fox Sports. The North Queensland Cowboys legend became the first member of the 2004 Bulldogs squad to open up about the incident, doing so in his new book, Johnathan Thurston: The Autobiography. "Bulldogs officials have been made aware of alleged involvement of one of their players in an incident at the home of Michael Lichaa. She would make the most mundane things fun -- Tintor enjoyed sifting through the chaos of the dollar aisle -- and hang out with co-workers in the parking lot for hours after the store closed. Under Nevada law, Ruggs would not be eligible for probation if he's convicted, and faces between two and 20 years in prison. Britt Ramsey. Ryan says the meeting was nothing of the sort and Pearce insists the players never gave the impression of colluding with each other. 'For blokes like [2004 teammates] Sonny Bill [Williams] and Willie Tonga and Reni Maitua, it's hard We don't take s*** like that.'. Brent faced up to 20 years in prison, but was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years of probation. I remember looking down on him.". 'I've got four young kids and what they'll find if they Google my name, yeah, it's a factor it's a worry. Canterbury Bulldogs considering return to Coffs Harbour, report As a person who wasnt even in the room his side of the story doesnt seem very relevant. Speaking about [the scandal] is quite difficult knowing that my daughters will probably see this when theyre older and having to sit down and explain to them what is my side of this story is going to be tough, he explained. He said he carried around guilt because he didn't drive him that day. Komazec, dressed in his work clothes -- black pants, a white shirt and a tie -- declines to be in any photos of himself by the memorial. When he found out his friend was dead, Ruggs said he "lost himself." Subscribe with Google lets you purchase a subscription, using your Google account. Is it a measure of his arrogance and the club's tolerance of it that the headings Born, Height, Weight, Test Matches, Personal Notes all carry the word "unknown" beside them?It certainly seems odd that in these troubled times the Coach's Comments section carries only the words "no current items".STORY SO FAR* February 22: Woman complains she was pack-raped by Bulldogs players* She names six players she said assaulted her* Police and NRL announce investigation* Police question 20 Bulldogs players and ask for DNA samples* One player, Hazem El Masri, refuses to supply DNA. No charges were ever laid and all players cleared of any wrongdoing. March 3: Bulldogs CEO Steve Mortimer tells the media, 'If only a fraction of what is alleged to have happened to various women is true, it very much appals me. Henry Ruggs III is the fourth active NFL player over the last 25 years to be involved in a drunk-driving incident resulting in death. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. "I wish I could tell you that I was shocked by the group sex - but I wasn't," Thurston wrote. Price anxious to keep Warriors on track | Stuff.co.nz I was not involved in any capacity with the woman who made the accusations. 'I remember being in an airport with the team and everyone was looked at differently - a look of, "Hang on a sec, is that one of them, could that be one of the guilty guys?". Komazec plans to be in the courtroom for every hearing. And why bring this up 14 years later if all the charges were dropped and nothing ever happened? Authorities say Ruggs' blood alcohol content, measured two hours after the crash, was 0.161 -- more than twice the legal limit in Nevada. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. ONE of the most senior police officers involved in the investigation of the Bulldogs gang rape allegations in Coffs Harbour has publicly supported the footballers and said: "There was no woman raped." Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. They had just come off a relatively uneventful bye week, but interim head coach Rich Bisaccia delivered a message as they entered an off day on Tuesday: Stay out of trouble. I will be something great.'". They were also let down by the club.After beating Canberra the night before, players were due at a recovery session in the hotel pool at 8am. Bulldogs 'rape' was nonsense: detective - The Sydney Morning Herald Thurston condemned the group sex sessions calling it 'distasteful and disrespectful' (AAP). Pinzon looked at their solemn faces and knew -- it was Tintor's family. It was Mirjana. The story of the Cowboys scout and prospect son Dallas just drafted, Legacy pick: Cardinals take great-great-nephew of team's first-ever draft pick, Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman denied the request. The beauty of having a digital subscription or membership is that it travels with you. If convicted, the 23-year-old former Alabama standout faces a minimum of two years and a maximum of 50 years in prison, Wolfson told reporters in November. He says Tintor's mom ordered a giant photo of her daughter shortly after her death, and when the family hung it on the wall, their Siberian husky cried and barked for days. Both players have plead not guilty to the charges. Citing evidence collected at the scene as well as Ruggs' condition and behavior at UMC, police concluded he was under the influence of alcohol. Canterbury Bulldogs NRL players Mark O'Meley, Roy Asotasi, Brett Oliver and Jonathan Thurston leave Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills after giving DNA evidence & video testimony in the gang rape scandal. Prices after the introductory pricing period may be varied as per full Terms and Conditions. 'There was no independent evidence to support what she was saying but there wasoverwhelming evidence to support the Bulldogs from a variety of sources.'. Other players are threatened with probation. You'd be surprised. They embraced again. If you smiled, if you didn't smile, everything was scrutinised. Panther axed from trial over sex tape scandal, Napa escapes ban, clubs fined over $1.5m as NRL vows never again, Manly Sea Eagles star Dylan Walker stood down for three months, NRL hand down tough sanctions to Napa and Bolton. READ & WATCH: https://bit.ly/3i7j1iR. The next time he woke up, Adams was lying in the middle of the road. 'Our family suffered. Johnathan Thurston opens up on 2004 Bulldogs 'rape scandal' Scott accepted a basketball scholarship to Jacksonville State, and their futures seemed set. Player Stats; Goalie Stats; Shop. 'There were cameras everywhere you went. Similarly, the code on Thursday stood down Dylan Walker over domestic violence charges as part of a controversial new crackdown on off-field behaviour. Komazec's family would ration food to save for baby Tina. He said he reached out to Ruggs but Ruggs never responded. NRL 2020: Clint Newton, RLPA | NRL.com - National Rugby League Later that day the Bulldogs players and staff held a meeting to address the allegations. Renewals occur unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, club legends Hazem El Masri and Andrew Ryan revealed how damaging the allegations were for everyone at the club. Ryan and club officials say the players were at training when they found out they had to attend the interviews and simply didn't have a chance to change, describing the coverage of the incident as 'laughable'. Johnathan Thurston and Bulldogs teammates were accused of sexual assault after a night out in Coffs Harbour in 2004 Police found insufficient evidence against players and no charges were laid, but players were told to stay quiet by the club Thurston says he was not part of the group but everything was consensual Stallworth was placed under house arrest for two years but given provisions to allow him to resume his football career. A lot of decent people, family people, lost their jobs, El Masri said. Ruggs was booked into Clark County Detention Center. I will be something great.". Komazec had seen enough wrecks in the 24/7 freneticism of Las Vegas that he hadn't stopped to wonder whether he knew the person in that charred vehicle in the middle of the road. He couldn't tell whether it was a car or an SUV; its features had melted into anonymity. Walker is accused of assaulting his fiance Alexandra Ivkovic outside their home in Dee Why on Sydney's northern beaches in December. February 25: Detective Gary McEvoy contacted by NSW Police head of forensic services Superintendent Phil Fogel who McEvoy says told him allegations were 'red-hot' news in Sydney and he'd been told to give investigators all possible assistance even if it meant putting previous, serious cases to one side. Two vastly experienced private investigators who were former detective sergeants - one acting for the Bulldogs and one for the NRL - both reached the same conclusion that the woman was not telling the truth within a similar time frame. It will cover the Coffs Harbour allegations, new . 'Winning the grand final that year is the best moment in my football career,' Ryan says. . March 22: Steve Mortimer resigns as Bulldogs CEO. And yet the allegation just stuck there,' he says. Leone went to his backyard, where he could see the street. Kilgo-Washington narrated Ruggs as he swatted at golf balls. 0407 228 124 brad.greenshields@afl.com.au. Adams went on to play college basketball at Troy, then transferred to Jacksonville State in 2020. She tried to enter their cab as they were leaving the Plantation Hotel to go back to the Novotel Hotel where they were staying. Tintor's mom recently adopted another golden retriever, he said. He went on John Laws' radio show to defend his players, conceding only that some had shown an error of judgment, but that was all.An unidentified player interviewed by the Sydney Sunday Telegraph described the woman as hysterical after being rejected by the boys when she offered group sex. In the crowd she spotted a group of people dressed in black. 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She told Pinzon that she hoped this never happens to anyone else. The sun will be out soon. "The Bulldogs are meeting with Adam Elliott to discuss his attendance at the home where this incident occurred. See www.couriermail.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details. "I don't get sick," he told GameDay. He was released from the hospital, released from custody on a $150,000 bond and released by the Las Vegas Raiders. It's almost 4 a.m., around the time Tintor died on Nov. 2. The 23-year old driver of the Toyota and her dog were both killed, police said. Full Digital Access 12 Month Plan costs $208 (min.cost) for the first 12 months, charged as $16 every 4 weeks. 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now', Top picks Christian Gonzalez, Keion White reflect Patriots' ideal identity, Big takeaways from the NFL draft: A historic QB class, the rebuilt AFC South and new GMs thriving, NFL Nation sizes up all 259 draft selections, XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. He stops at the mural every night on his way home from work just to make sure the flowers, candles and memorials are intact. They named him Max. One Las Vegas DUI defense lawyer not involved in the case said such delays are not unusual, given the volume of DUI cases in the city and the kind of legal maneuvering expected over evidence and medical records. No Bulldogs players were ever charged by police but the alleged . Sullivan set up a meeting in June between the family and Clark County assistant district attorney Eric Bauman, and Sullivan called the meeting productive. ON MARCH 16, the Clark County court granted Ruggs permission to leave home confinement twice a week to work out for three hours a day at a training center in the Las Vegas Valley near Red Rock Canyon. She was never shy. In the February of that year, a 20-year-old woman filed a complaint with Coffs Harbour police alleging shed been gang raped by a number of the Bulldogs players at a resort after a pre-season trial. COFFS HARBOUR SCANDAL TIMELINE February 18, 2004: A 20-year-old woman told police she had consensual sex with six Bulldogs players on this date while they were in Coffs Harbour,. His phone kept ringing, and Ruggs kept hitting ignore. Scott had a vision that his friend would be a five-star athlete, and that he'd play football at Alabama. But after that I read in the news, 'Hey I'm going to give him all the support he needs.' Please call 1800 070 535. Prosecutors said Hobbs' blood alcohol level was 0.01%, under the Nevada legal limit. He'd seen how fast Ruggs could run, and how high he could jump. Bulldogs rape case thrown out - smh.com.au Ryan, who skippered the club to their memorable grand final win later that year, recalled the public slurs the players had to put up with. She knew who she was and also wasn't afraid to be herself. Steelers' first draft under Omar Khan was 'aggressive' and achieved high marks, After hoopla of going No. The players have been given seven days to respond and will attend meetings with club management this week. On March 3 players were photographed wearing T-shirts, shorts and thongs as they arrived at the Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills to be interviewed by detectives. October 22nd, 2018 7:08 am. EXCLUSIVE: High-ranking Met Police officer on 100,000-a-year who was found to be a regular user of King Charles' Coronation LIVE: The monarch's unexpected defender from Down Under, Beatrice and Eugenie in Dr Martin Scurr: Why have I always had a runny nose for 30 years - and what can I do to make it stop? The former Bulldog was sworn to secrecy when his teammates were accused of gang rape. At after-match functions, their players are all dressed in suits and ties. US tech billionaire's son Matt Baszucki found the low-carb/high Could a hormone spray reignite your love life? You don't even have feelings.". A hotel worker later told police he saw the woman having sex with one player in the hotel's pool area and the sex appeared to be consensual. Citing tests by hospital staff before police arrived, the report said Ruggs hadn't suffered head trauma. Not in conjunction with any other offer. The football coaches at Robert E. Lee also kept pursuing Ruggs, and junior year, he finally relented. It was hours before daylight on Nov. 2. 'They stood me down without even hearing me or holding any internal investigation whatsoever, even though I had a recording [that exonerated him in court]. Johnathan Thurston says Canterbury Bulldogs players could not defend 'Everywhere we turned it was in your face, non-stop,' he says of the Coffs Harbour pack rape scandal of 2004. The NRL's early plans to conquer America won't involve the competition's four Queensland-based teams. -. Pinzon said it wasn't meant as a knock against the Raiders. "She was very tomboyish, and she was brave," Hankins said. Pic John Grainger. She had had consecutive consensual sex with eight players on the Wednesday before, the meeting heard.Whatever was said, it obviously emboldened some, who clearly showed they thought no charges would be brought.Afterwards, coach Steve Folkes spoke about the allegation for the first time. He wants all the attention to be on Tintor. Bulldogs Coffs Harbour Revisited : nrl - Reddit But the sexual assault allegations levelled against Thurston and his teammates threatened to end his career. Warriors captain Steve Price will draw on his experience in dealing with the Bulldogs' Coffs Harbour scandal to offer advice to teammate Michael Crockett, who is facing sexual assault charges. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. TWELVE years after the infamous Coffs Harbour sexual assault case ripped the Canterbury Bulldogs apart, the NSW Police Force has gone to the rare step of reviewing its handling of the case - and it's due to a year-long campaign of unrelenting pressure by Dogs great Graeme Hughes. "We could have handled the situation better. Mark your calendars for October 14, 15 and 16, 2021 for 3 Shows with Respected Breeder Judges! It was devastating for the players, the staff, everyone. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. February 18, 2004:A 20-year-old woman told police she had consensual sex with six Bulldogs players on this date while they were in Coffs Harbour, northern NSW, to play a trial game. 'It was devastating for the players, the staff, everyone', The NRL has stood down star player Jack de Belin (pictured with girlfriend Alyce Taylor after a 2018 State of Origin match) from playing while he waits to answer a sexual assault charge. Alex Otte, national president of MADD, said that the organization reached out to the Raiders and offered support in the hope of avoiding a repeat of what happened on South Rainbow Boulevard and that they have been in discussions about efforts to prevent impaired driving. Coffs Harbour Breakers Juniors. Still, Komazec can't sleep. "That he's going to say, 'We have too many problems in the club. Now hes broken his silence about the 2004 Coffs Harbour rape scandal that nearly derailed his career, before it had even begun. 783. Ruggs is likely to have a long journey ahead, including potential prison time, before he could have any chance of returning to the NFL but others before have made a comeback. Sport; NRL; Updated Which clubs are in the running for NRL's blockbuster Las Vegas plans. I wasn't a part of [the group sex] but certainly we had broken team rules," Thurston said. Brendan Ross Makes NCAA Commitment to The University of Alaska Fairbanks. It was tough for everyone because we were gagged and we couldnt give our side of the story., *Odds are current as of 2nd May 2023, 9:37am AEST. Former detective Glen Pearce says investigating police didn't think the allegations stacked up enough to take the matter to court. See www.couriermail.com.au/subscriptiontermsfor full details. Gutweilers husband said the family received a small settlement from a civil proceeding against Little. Everyone was tarnished with these allegations it was a traumatic time for everyone. With brilliant halfback Steve Mortimer the linchpin, the Bulldogs as they were to be named in 1978 played a brand of football that was the envy of the Sydney Premiership. 'The best part was when we got to where our families and friends were afterwards at the leagues club. Stallworth returned to the NFL in 2010 and played in eight games for the Baltimore Ravens that season. On February 24, 2004 broadcaster Ray Hadley read out details of the woman's gang rape allegations on his top-rating radio program and the scandal became the biggest news story in the country. That's the thing -- why would you be two[-faced]?". Tintor fought to get into the world. The North Coast Bulldogs under 16s and 18s squads were put through their paces at a skills and welfare session today. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. She didn't let anyone talk down to her, especially at Target. But that news hadn't gotten out yet. He said she had hopes of studying at UNLV. But once your delivery is activated, youll get the next edition, hot off the press. So what were some doing at a nightclub at 5am?And why was there no supervision from management either at the nightclub or the hotel as they rolled home?This is not the first such incident. Ruggs, a second-year receiver who was finally showing the promise that earned him the 12th overall draft pick and a $16.67 million guaranteed contract, decided to go out that night. "That's the advice that we had been given [to keep quiet]. Renewals occur unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. The others are Roy Asotasi, Hutch Maiava and Matt Utai.After the allegations were first aired the team held a "truth session", where each player spoke and gave his version of events at the hotel and nightclub on the night in question.Some reports have suggested that the tone of that player meeting was that the woman was asking for it. All rights reserved. 0. By midday news had broken of the accusation made against between three and six players in the early hours of the morning. The club says their player is not of interest to police," Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler tweeted. Club and police investigations were conducted but no charges laid, the Bulldogs fining the three players involved for breach of the club code. To share it with the people who were there through thick and thin for us, that was the most special bit to me. The players all denied the allegations and no charges were brought. By. Thread starter nqboy; Start date May 26, 2004; Prev. This automatically renews to be charged as $16 (min. If only a fraction of what is alleged to have happened is true it very much appals me".It's not about to get easier for him.The police investigation and the court case that seems sure to follow will drag the club name down for months.To make matters worse, on Tuesday the club appears in the Licensing Court to answer charges that it failed to keep proper accounts as required under the Registered Clubs Act, an action related to the laundering of money paid to players over and above the salary cap.The NRL has instituted its own inquiry. How life spun out of control for Bulldogs Coffs Harbour accuser Thurston on kicking golden point winner A YOUNG woman who claimed she was raped by a group of Bulldogs NRL players in Coffs Harbour has been allegedly sexually assaulted and stabbed. Some were evicted by bouncers.It is apparently younger players who were involved in the incidents, including the alleged sexual assault. I was not involved with her on the Wednesday night and I did not see what happened in the pool area on the Sunday morning. My wife was pregnant at the time, and some of the questions she was asked about it, it was a very stressful time. Club chairman George Peponis says players were instructed to dress differently and ignored the directive. The Director of Public Prosecutions ruled there was insufficient evidence to launch a prosecution. His girlfriend posted a video on Facebook of Ruggs taking swings from the bay while they enjoyed the evening with at least one other, unidentified friend. The family worries that the longer it takes for the case to be resolved, the less anyone will remember Tintor. Even though theyre serious allegations, everyone involved at the club knew that we were not guilty of anything. Tintor's family wanted the services to be private, with no cameras, so a throng of news media stood in the corner of a parking lot at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church, the site of the funeral. "We want everyone who's involved with their organization, with the NFL and with the public in general, to understand that this is never an option. Brent was driving home from a night of partying in December 2012 when he lost control of his car and crashed, killing his Dallas teammate, Jerry Brown, in the passenger seat.
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