Latest news with #Fisher
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Herald Sun
Kallan Ford: What we know about alleged Adelaide work trip rape
A Victorian businessman who allegedly raped an unconscious woman on Hindley St is a married father and former assistant coach of a junior girls football team. Kallan Ford, 38, is now in custody in South Australia after he was determined to be too much of a flight risk and bail was revoked over the alleged assault which police say was captured on CCTV footage. Mr Ford was previously granted bail in the Magistrates Court but the Crown applied to the Supreme Court to have the decision reviewed. His bail was then revoked by Justice Rachael Gray last month. Who is Kallan Ford? The general manager of a major pipeline company resides in Plenty, Victoria with his wife and children. During the bail review hearing, Mr Ford's counsel flagged that his remand in custody would cause 'considerable difficulties' to the company, which employs 120 people. The court heard Mr Ford and his wife reside in a home valued at $1.7m, with a $1.4m mortgage – with repayments at $9000 a month. The family's expenditure on school fees is around $55,000 per year, as well as having financial commitments to motor vehicles. Mr Ford is the main bread winner for his family, with his wife making $700 per week as a real estate assistant. The court heard the family had been living week to week due to interest rate rises, meaning the family home would be placed in jeopardy if Mr Ford remained in custody. The Advertiser also understands Mr Ford was formerly the assistant coach of a junior girls football team in Victoria. The Hindley St allegations During Mr Ford's bail review hearing last month, the court heard the Crown would allege the victim had consumed around 10 alcoholic drinks and recalled walking to a nearby convenience store – on the corner of Morphett and Hindley streets in the early hours of May 22. Amy Fisher, for the prosecution, said the alleged victim also recalled having nitrous oxide with Mr Ford, whom she had never met, before passing out. 'She awoke some time later to find the defendant having penetrative-vaginal sexual intercourse with her,' Ms Fisher said. 'She eventually managed to rouse herself, fought back and attacked the defendant, ripping his shirt and then dragging him down on to Hindley St where she ultimately flagged down some police who were patrolling the area at 7.37am that morning.' Ms Fisher said the alleged incident was captured on CCTV, which showed the alleged victim 'entirely unconscious and therefore incapable of consenting to any sexual acts'. 'The defendant can then be seen moving very slowly and carefully, the inference being that he was doing so as not to rouse her,' she said. 'He can also be seen looking up on several occasions. Again that inference being he is checking to make sure that no-one is around.' The court heard Mr Ford allegedly removed the woman's pants and underwear before raping her. 'The footage clearly shows that the complainant is unconscious throughout this entire incident,' Ms Fisher said. She submitted it was an 'inevitable' conviction that would carry a lengthy jail term. Mr Ford is charged with rape and indecent assault. He is yet to enter any pleas. Justice's reasons for revoking Mr Ford's bail In her ruling, Justice Gray said Mr Ford did not have any connection to South Australia and had planned to be in Adelaide for only five days while attending a work function. 'The prosecution made submissions that the victim is frightened, that if released, the defendant would seek to contact her,' she said. His counsel emphasised that the investigation was in the early stages, his client had no prior criminal history and the impact his remand in custody would have financially on his family. Mr Ford, as well as his parents, also each offered $15,000 cash surety to secure his release on bail. However, Justice Gray revoked Mr Ford's bail, due to the seriousness of the allegations and the 'significant risk' of him failing to answer bail and absconding. The case was adjourned until August. Originally published as What we know about the Adelaide rape allegations of Victorian businessman Kallan Ford
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Monster couple who stabbed man to death in ‘frenzied attack' at Scots flat caged for life
The advocate depute stated Mr Fisher had been subjected to a "frenzied attack" TOWER BLOCK HORROR Monster couple who stabbed man to death in 'frenzied attack' at Scots flat caged for life Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO killers guilty of murder after a man was stabbed to death have been jailed for a total of at least 34 and a half years. Cameron Woods, 27, and Stacey Balfour, 24, were today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow following the death of Robert Fisher. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Robert Fisher, 26, was murdered in Paisley in July 2023 4 Stacey Balfour, 24, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his death Credit: Spindrift 4 Cameron Woods was today jailed for a minimum 18 and a half years Credit: Spindrift 4 The pair carried out a "frenzied attack" on Fisher at a tower block in Paisley The 26-year-old was fatally attacked at flats in Paisley, Renfrewshire in July 2023. Prosecutors stated it was Woods who knifed Mr Fisher with his then partner Balfour "acting in concert" knowing there would be violence. The pair had been found guilty of murder following a trial last month. They were each handed a life sentence today. Woods was today jailed for a minimum 18 and a half years with Balfour locked up for 16 years. The killing occurred after all three had been with others at a flat in the tower block. A witness said Woods had been seen at one stage with a large kitchen knife. Balfour meantime had shown someone the small lockback blade later used in the killing. It had been attached to a set of keys. The court heard the atmosphere later became "volatile" between those at the flat including Mr Fisher. Cops and forensics at the scene of an attempted murder in George Street, Paisley In her speech to jurors, prosecutor Erin Campbell said it was clear "the situation escalated". She said this eventually led to Mr Fisher being stabbed "in what amounted to a murderous attack". The victim managed to stagger out of the flat with blood on his face and down his T-shirt. A man dialled 999 as Mr Fisher groaned in the background: "I have been stabbed." He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. But, he never recovered and passed away there four days later. The court heard how Mr Fisher had suffered five separate stab wounds as well as possible defensive injuries. Miss Campbell put to jurors: "If you are trying to strike someone in the head or chest then there are only two possibilities. "Either you are deliberately trying to kill the person. "Or you are so angry and wild in the moment, you have total disregard if the person lives or dies." The advocate depute stated Mr Fisher had been subjected to a "frenzied attack". Woods was later stopped by police at a cycle track. He was found with the murder weapon which had Mr Fisher's blood on it. Balfour had initially told officers that the last time she had seen Mr Fisher was when he left the flat with another man. Donald Findlay, defending Woods, today said the thug had not co-operated with compiling a pre-sentencing social work report. The KC added: 'On the day of this matter no one set out looking for trouble. Something clearly happened which led to a conflict. There was a reaction to something.' Balfour's KC Thomas Ross said she had previously suffered a 'traumatic' incident in 2014 and a had been in a 'toxic relationship' before the killing.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blue Jays bullpen stock report: Braydon Fisher's rise, what's up with Jeff Hoffman?
The Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen was a disaster last year, finishing 29th in league ERA. Only the Colorado Rockies' was worse. Through 77 games this year, Toronto's reliever group ranks 10th in ERA, eighth in FIP and 10th in win percentage added — an issue largely solved. Toronto's bullpen fix needed good stories, but it hasn't all been positive for the 41-36 Blue Jays. In this bullpen stock report, I'll break down the Jays' rising and falling relievers: Fisher arrived in a June trade last year, looking to throw more strikes. Advertisement Punching out batters was never Fisher's problem, but the young Texan walked at least five batters per nine innings in each of his previous three minor-league seasons. Taking a little velocity off his fastball and leaning on strong breaking pitches, Fisher found the zone. He's become one of the Blue Jays' best developmental stories this season. 'Throwing the ball harder out of the zone doesn't work any better than throwing the ball slower in the zone,' Fisher said. The righty's 71 percent strike rate is the highest of any Blue Jays pitcher this season. He's walked just three batters in 19 1/3 frames, posting a 2.33 ERA and 2.09 FIP. Fisher's slider and curveball both earn whiff rates over 31 percent. The 24-year-old has gone from good story to bullpen staple. The Blue Jays tried the whole rotation thing with Rodríguez last year. Now, he's back where he belongs. Rodríguez has a 2.19 ERA in 30 relief appearances this season, finding the same form that earned him the NPB Central League's setup man of the year award in 2022. Everything about Rodríguez plays up in a relief role. His fastball is 2.3 mph harder, his slider has more spin and the sinker and splitter miss more bats. He credits an increased focus on big spots to the fewer walks, as well. Manager John Schneider still maximizes the Cuban's length, leaning on Rodríguez for 15 multi-inning appearances, but the rotation trials are over. Rodríguez has found a home in Toronto's bullpen. Little's surprising dominance comes from complete ownership of the strike zone's basement. Over 80 percent of his pitches land below the top third of the zone, 7.5 percent more than any other Blue Jays pitcher. Despite his power curve often falling below the zone or landing in the dirt, batters still constantly chase it. The curve comes out of the same release point as his sinker, another pitch that lives at the bottom edge, causing hitters to misjudge the deliveries, Blue Jays bullpen coach Graham Johnson said. Advertisement 'When he locates those two pitches over the plate, but down, they kind of mirror each other,' Johnson said. 'Obviously they're both firm, but there's a differential there that I think really messes up some timing and makes it hard.' Flirting with the zone's edge has earned Little plenty of walks, including seven in eight June appearances, but it's an accepted risk with his swing-and-miss offerings. Keeping those pitches near the zone is the difference between Little being a solid lefty reliever or one of the game's best southpaws. Either way, he's invaluable for this Blue Jays bullpen. Brendon Little's pitch location heat map (Baseball Savant) Hoffman sits eighth in baseball with 17 saves in 21 opportunities after signing a $33 million deal to become Toronto's new closer. He's won Toronto several games, but there's no denying the 5.29 ERA ain't pretty. Much of Hoffman's struggle came in a brutal May in which batters hit .318 against him and the righty posted a 13.50 ERA. The former Philadelphia Phillies set-up man has a nasty slider and splitter, but the Jays felt there may have been overreliance on the secondary pitches in May, leading to bad counts and untimely walks. His usage changed in June, with Hoffman throwing 11.7 percent fewer breaking balls in favor of fastballs and sinkers. After a May in which hitters posted a .400 OBP against Hoffman, it's down to .276 in June. Toronto's closer still needs improved execution, as his putaway rate dropped from 31.9 percent in April to under 21 percent in May and June. On Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, he muffed a ground ball that would've ended the eighth and held the Jays' lead, too. Even with improvements this month, Hoffman's brutal May sank his stock. He's been better in June, despite Sunday's blowup, but needs multiple strong months to restore confidence in the closer role. Advertisement 'We trust the s— out of Jeff Hoffman,' Schneider told reporters on Sunday in Toronto. Green has allowed more homers than any other MLB reliever. All his offerings are getting hit hard this season, with five homers off the fastball and four against the slider. While Green's velocity hasn't fallen off, the 34-year-old reliever has lost spin on his slider in each of the last three seasons. He still misses bats and avoids walks, but neither of Green's offerings are plus pitches in 2025. With a 4.18 ERA and 5.85 FIP, Green's clearly fallen down the trust hierarchy. His last three appearances have come in games separated by at least six runs. We've seen the Blue Jays flash urgency this year, quickly designating relievers for assignment when performance wasn't there — well-liked righty Erik Swanson, José Ureña, Dillon Tate and others. With Yimí García and Ryan Burr in rehab games, the Jays have more decisions ahead. (Photo of Braydon Fisher: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Pair jailed after man was stabbed to death in Paisley flat
Cameron Woods, 27, and Stacey Balfour, 24, were today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow following the death of Robert Fisher. The 26 year-old was fatally attacked at flats in Paisley, Renfrewshire in July 2023. Prosecutors stated it was Woods who knifed Mr Fisher with his then partner Balfour "acting in concert" knowing there would be violence. The pair had been found guilty of murder following a trial last month. They were each handed a life sentence - Woods was jailed for a minimum 18 and a half years with Balfour locked up for 16 years. The killing occurred after all three had been with others at a flat at the tower block. A witness said Woods had been seen at one stage with a large kitchen knife. Balfour meantime had shown someone the small lockback blade later used in the killing. It had been attached to a set of keys. The court heard the atmosphere later became "volatile" between those at the flat including Mr Fisher. In her speech to jurors, prosecutor Erin Campbell said it was clear "the situation escalated". She said this eventually led to Mr Fisher being stabbed "in what amounted to a murderous attack". The victim managed to stagger out of the flat with blood on his face and down his T-shirt. A man dialled 999 as Mr Fisher groaned in the background: "I have been stabbed." He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. But, he never recovered and passed away there four days later. The court Mr Fisher had suffered five separate stab wounds as well as possible defensive injuries. Miss Campbell put to jurors: "If you are trying to strike someone in the head or chest then there are only two possibilities. "Either you are deliberately trying to kill the person. "Or you are so angry and wild in the moment, you have total disregard if the person lives or dies." READ NEXT: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago READ NEXT: Man admits murdering 21-year-old partner Phoenix Spencer Horn in East Kilbride The advocate depute stated Mr Fisher had been subjected to a "frenzied attack". Woods was later stopped by police at a cycle track. He was found with the murder weapon which had Mr Fisher's blood on it. Balfour had initially told officers that the last time she had seen Mr Fisher was when he left the flat with another man. Donald Findlay, defending Woods, today said the thug had not co-operated with compiling a pre-sentencing social work report. The KC added: 'On the day of this matter no one set out looking for trouble. Something clearly happened which led to a conflict. There was a reaction to something.' Balfour's KC Thomas Ross said she had previously suffered a 'traumatic' incident in 2014 and a had been in a 'toxic relationship' before the killing.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
John Fisher to sell San Jose Earthquakes as A's prepare for Las Vegas move
John Fisher intends to sell the San Jose Earthquakes after hiring bank Moelis & Co. to carry out the sale, the Major League Soccer club announced Wednesday. The news comes ahead of Monday's official groundbreaking for another Fisher-owned team, the Athletics, to celebrate the start of construction for the franchise's stadium in Las Vegas. The baseball stadium will cost an estimated $1.75 billion. Fisher's family has pledged $1 billion toward that price tag. His selling the Earthquakes appears to be a move to potentially free up additional funds. The soccer club is valued at $600 million, according to a Sportico report in January, after Fisher paid a $20 million expansion fee for it in 2007. 'The San Jose Earthquakes and PayPal Park have been an important part of our lives for nearly two decades,' Fisher said in a statement. 'We are proud of the role the Quakes have played in the growth of soccer throughout Silicon Valley. The Bay Area is a special place and we're deeply grateful to the fans, players and staff who've been with us on this journey.' Fisher also hired Galatioto Sports to attract investors in an effort to raise upwards of $500 million, with Clark County in Las Vegas planning to contribute $350 million. The A's are expected to play at least three seasons at Sutter Health Park, home to the Sacramento River Cats, the Giants' Triple-A Affiliate. Fisher's decision to move the A's out of Oakland has earned him widespread criticism. What he accomplished with the Earthquakes in San Jose is its own story. In 2005, the San Jose Earthquakes, then owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, announced the franchise would be uprooted to become the Houston Dynamo. Fisher brought the Earthquakes back two years later as an expansion franchise and subsequently built a soccer-only stadium in 2015 that has since hosted premier soccer on numerous occasions. From selling out matches for the U.S. women's national team to welcoming international fútbol icon Lionel Messi as recently as this year, PayPal Park — previously known as Avaya Stadium before being renamed in 2021 — is among Fisher's notable achievements as the Quakes' owner. Attendance for Earthquakes matches has paled in comparison to other MLS teams. Their average home attendance ranked third to last in MLS last season. PayPal Park is also home to Bay FC, who debuted in the NWSL in 2024 and expect to build their own stadium in the future. The Quakes remain above the postseason cutoff in the Western Conference standings with a 6-7-5 record this season, led by first-year head coach Bruce Arena, a big-name hire. 'On behalf of Major League Soccer, I want to thank the Fisher family for their longstanding commitment to the Earthquakes and the San Jose community,' MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. 'Under their leadership, the club invested in world-class facilities like PayPal Park, built a highly respected youth academy and helped grow the game in one of the nation's most dynamic markets.'
