Latest news with #Willis
USA Today
17 hours ago
- USA Today
Murder charges filed in deaths of 3 Kansas City Chiefs fans
Prosecutors have upgraded charges to felony murder against two men accused in the deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans found dead outside a Missouri home last year, a new court filling shows Initially in March, the Platte County District Attorney filed charges including distribution of a controlled substance and three counts of manslaughter against Jordan Willis, 39, and Ivory Carson, 42, in connection to the apparent overdose deaths of Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36. According to a four-page amended complaint obtained by USA TODAY on June 27, Willis and Carson now face three counts of felony murder in the second-degree. Under Missouri law, felony murder in the second degree is punishable by no less than 10 to 30 years in prison, or life imprisonment, the amended complaint reads. A person convicted of manslaughter faces between five and 15 years in prison. The revised complaint was filed in open court before a judge on June 26, Platte County Attorney's Office spokesperson Tanya Faherty told USA TODAY. Dad went to a bar, son died in hot car: Father charged in 18-month-old son's death Who is suspected drug dealer in Kansas City Chief fan death case? The men's bodies were found Jan. 7, 2024, outside Willis' suburban Kansas City home where the group gathered to watch an NFL game. During a news conference earlier this year, officials said Carson was the suspected drug dealer who sold cocaine to Willis and the victims. Court documents also show Carson's DNA was allegedly found on a bag of fentanyl at the scene. The case attracted national attention as the cause of fans' deaths were shrouded in mystery for nearly a year. Court records released in March show the men died from toxic effects of fentanyl and cocaine. For months, law enforcement and prosecutors refused to publicly release the men's cause or manner of death despite their autopsies being complete. At the time, authorities had cited the case's pending investigation. Chiefs fan overdose case: Father files lawsuit after deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans in 2024 Jordan Willis' attorney on new charges: 'It's an overreach' After the fans' deaths, the 38-year-old Willis moved out of his rental home, where he had lived alone and worked remotely for a New York hospital, according to his Kansas City-based lawyer, John Picerno. On June 27, the defense attorney continued to profess his client's innocence, saying Willis maintain he is not responsible for purchasing or supplying the drugs that led to the victim's deaths. "I believe it's an overreach," Picerno said when asked by USA TODAY about the amended charges. "I believe the previous charges were adequate. It was only done because we turned down a plea offer." Picerno did not elaborate on the plea offer conditions or when it was offered to his client. The defense attorney said his client is due in Platte County Associate Circuit Court next month for another hearing on the case. Mens' bodies found outside after freezing temperatures According to Kansas City police, officers discovered the fans' bodies two days after the men met to watch a Chiefs game against the Los Angeles Chargers. On the night of the game, temperatures dipped to 29 degrees, the National Weather Service reported. Some 48 hours later, police said officers received a call from McGeeney's fiancé, who said she visited the home after not hearing from him. When no one answered the door, she broke inside and found a dead body in the back of the property. When officers arrived, they also found two other men dead in the backyard. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Liver King breaks silence as he's FREED from jail after dramatic Joe Rogan arrest
Disgraced fitness influencer 'Liver King' broke his silence on his arrest for making 'terroristic threats' against Joe Rogan with a string of bizarre social media videos. The influencer, real name Brian Johnson, 48, avoided naming Rogan as he responded to his arrest on Tuesday, instead sharing clips of himself trying to start a fire, praying by candlelight and eating steaks. 'I had to wash the jail off me,' he says in one clip shared from his home in Willis, Texas, where he traveled from over the weekend to track down Rogan and try to 'fight' him. Johnson was taken into custody on Tuesday after documenting his journey to Austin to find Rogan, in which he ominously showed an axe and said: 'We come bearing gifts, for those that deserve it.' After posting a $20,000 bail, Johnson shared a number of worrying clips, including one of him praying by candlelight with his hands visibly shaking, thanking God for 'this moment.' 'Thank you, king time, king time, king time,' he said, before standing up and dancing as dramatic piano music played in the background. Many of the influencer's 2.9 million followers flooded his comment sections urging Johnson to 'get help.' He shared the bizarre clips as it was reported that Rogan was quizzed by Austin police following Johnson's arrest, where he told investigators he has no idea why he was being targeted. Johnson's anger at Rogan appeared to stem from a 2022 scandal where he was exposed as a steroid user after he claimed to his millions of followers that his muscular physique was the result of a raw meat 'carnivore' diet. Rogan amplified the scandal on his huge Spotify podcast, but in arrest documents first obtained by TMZ, police say Rogan was surprised by the recent episode with Johnson as he had never had any actual contact with him. The podcaster told police that he has been told Johnson 'has a significant drug issue', according to the arrest documents. Rogan has not commented publicly on Johnson's recent menacing behavior. In the days before his arrest, Johnson went on a manic tirade on Instagram where he shared dozens of videos of himself ranting about fighting Rogan, giving himself a 'coffee enema', and seemingly talking to himself. Rogan seemed to be aware of the videos as he also told cops following Johnson's arrest that he 'appears to be significantly unstable and seems like he needs help.' Johnson was taken into custody on Tuesday in an arrest he also documented for social media, and he was charged with making terroristic threats, a misdemeanor, and posted a $20,000 bail. The arrest followed a string of worrying Instagram clips Johnson shared in the lead up to his arrest, garnering millions of views as he rambled about fighting Rogan. As he filmed himself getting ready to leave his home in Willis, Texas to find Rogan in Austin, he showed a Joe Rogan podcast branded box with an axe perched ominously on top, and said: 'We come bearing gifts, for those that deserve it.' 'We'll see you soon,' he said as he addressed Rogan directly. 'Real tension I have with you, real f***ing beef.' 'If I could just get a formal invitation to the Joe Rogan podcast, I could release myself from leaving tomorrow,' he said the day before he left. The next day, Johnson shared another clip calling out Rogan to fight him, saying: 'Man to man, I'm picking a fight with you... I have no training in Jui Jitsu, you have a black belt, you should dismantle me.' Wearing a wolf's head hat, Johnson began dancing on camera with his shirt off, saying: 'That's pretty entertaining right?' 'You can't pick a fight with a real king and then expect there not to be an actual fight, bro,' he added. After sharing several more clips of himself aimlessly talking into the camera, Johnson shared another clip on Tuesday morning as he made his way to Austin, pointing his camera at the axe and saying: 'You can't buy this kind of stuff, the serial numbers are not replicable.' Speaking from a hotel room in Austin once he arrived in Rogan's hometown, Johnson claimed in an erratic shower video that he'd had a run in with police over his threats, and also showed himself giving himself a 'coffee enema.' 'I challenge you today, Joe Rogan,' he said. 'I'm here at the Four Seasons in Austin, I'm in the shower... I didn't sleep the day before, I was up for about 40 hours.' Johnson went on a hard-to-follow rant about a run-in with police officers as he jumped back and forth from multiple topics in no logical order. 'The police are coming or something's happening... I've not threatened to kill anybody. Did somebody say that I was going to kill somebody?' he said. 'I am going to. I've picked a fight. Who have I picked a fight with? Joe Rogan... Why? Out of principle. Family.' 'I'm challenging you, just as a man. I don't want to kill you. Why would I want to kill you? You have a family. I wouldn't want to take you away from your family. 'I wouldn't want that to happen so I hope that none of this is perceived as a threat. F**k you Joe Rogan, you guys can call all the cops.' Later, his wife shared another video purporting to show the moment he was searched and placed into a cop car by officers. In the video, a member of his team, while filming, tells his wife that Johnson may have to spend up to 24 hours in jail as his matter is dealt with. Johnson was seen in footage filmed by a member of his 'team' wordlessly complying with officers as they patted him down while he wore handcuffs. The influencer had kept a relatively low profile after his steroid scandal came to light in 2022, but has resurfaced and ramped up his social media presence in the wake of a new Netflix documentary which released in April. 'Untold: The Liver King' explores his supplement empire and rise to the top by eating raw meat - specifically animal livers and testicles - on social media. After another fitness YouTuber caught him in his bold faced lie with blood test results and a leaked email, Johnson filmed a video admitting fault.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers have 4 players attending Tight End University this week
The San Francisco 49ers have wrapped up their organized team activities and minicamps, and they still have a few weeks to go before their training camp opens at the SAP Performance Facility with rookies reporting July 15 and veterans coming for July 22. While plenty of players are taking this time to rest and relax, 49ers tight end George Kittle is hosting his fifth annual Tight End University camp alongside three-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce and three-time Pro Bowler-turned-commentator Greg Olsen. The camp is a three-day event that incorporates film study and on-field drills to help tight ends become the best version of themselves when they're representing their team and the position across the league. Interestingly, Kittle isn't the only 49ers tight end attending this year, as he's joined by Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis and Mason Pline in Nashville, Tennessee. Farrell, 27, was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2021 NFL draft following a collegiate career at Ohio State. In his four seasons with the Jaguars, he caught 29 passes for 282 yards before landing a three-year, $15.75 million deal with San Francisco this year to be the team's No. 2. Willis, 25, was the 49ers' seventh-round pick in 2023 out of Oklahoma, where he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors once. Over the last two years, Willis has appeared in 17 games, but his contributions have come mainly on special teams, as he's played just 73 offensive snaps. This year, he's looking to carve out a role for himself in Kyle Shanahan's system. Pline, 25, spent his college years at Ferris State and Furman from 2021-23 before San Francisco signed him as an undrafted free agent last offseason. He spent his entire rookie year on the practice squad and landed a futures/reserve contract in January. This year, he's hoping to earn a spot on the 53-man roster out of camp. In total, there are 74 tight ends attending Kittle's three-day camp, so Farrell, Willis and Pline could learn a lot from their peers to help them achieve their goals in 2025 and beyond. More 49ers: 49ers insider has great news on previously injured superstar in NFL offseason takeaway
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Political polarisation is rising globally and posing new challenges for businesses, according to Willis latest report
LONDON, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rising political polarisation is associated with increased political violence and unpredictable oscillations in government policies, according to the latest Political Risk Index by Willis (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company. This edition of the Index focusses on political polarisation in countries worldwide and its main drivers and consequences. Findings from the index reveal affective polarisation* is at a historic high, on a global average basis. This suggests that people are increasingly likely to perceive supporters of opposing political parties as hostile. Countries enduring violent political conflicts tend to be the most polarised, but on average, affective polarisation is rising fastest in democracies like the US, Germany, India, Brazil and Bulgaria. The index also covers ideological polarisation** (the degree to which people agree on core policy issues) and elite polarisation*** (the degree to which political rivals consider each other as legitimate). The US is the only country globally where affective, ideological and elite polarisation have all increased at a rapid pace over the past 15 years. After reviewing over a century's worth of data from more than 200 countries, Willis found that in democracies, surges in polarisation tended to follow economic crises or corruption scandals, which appeared to discredit traditional political leaders. These surges were often accompanied by the growth of populist political movements and an increased frequency of political violence events. Other key findings include: The research also identifies some hopeful trends. Truth and reconciliation processes, cross-party coalitions, and open and transparent investigations in cases of corruption or other crises have been accompanied by rapid reductions in political polarisation in the past. There is reason to believe that lessons from these examples could be applied to current challenges. Sam Wilkin, director of political risk analytics at Willis, said: 'There is a well-established correlation between polarisation and political violence. But polarisation is also being felt on a more personal basis, such as how we perceive our friends and colleagues. Businesses face growing challenges from operating in increasingly polarised societies.' The complete report can be downloaded here. *Affective polarisation refers to the phenomenon of individuals developing strong positive feelings toward members of their own group (in-group) and negative feelings towards members of opposing groups (out-groups), particularly in a political context. It involves a difference between how people feel about their own party or group and how they feel about those who support opposing parties or groups. This can lead to increased hostility, reduced willingness to compromise, and a lack of empathy for those with different political views. **Ideological polarisation refers to the extent to which political attitudes become more divided and extreme, often along partisan lines. This can manifest as individuals and groups holding increasingly divergent views on issues, and a greater emphasis on partisan identity over shared values or common ground. ***Elite polarisation refers to the ideological divide and political disagreement among elites—such as elected officials, party leaders, policymakers, and influential media figures—typically along partisan lines. About WTW At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance. Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at Media contact Lauren David: [email protected] / +44 7385947619 Candela Farroni: [email protected] / +44 7795 155654
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Political polarisation is rising globally and posing new challenges for businesses, according to Willis latest report
LONDON, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rising political polarisation is associated with increased political violence and unpredictable oscillations in government policies, according to the latest Political Risk Index by Willis (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company. This edition of the Index focusses on political polarisation in countries worldwide and its main drivers and consequences. Findings from the index reveal affective polarisation* is at a historic high, on a global average basis. This suggests that people are increasingly likely to perceive supporters of opposing political parties as hostile. Countries enduring violent political conflicts tend to be the most polarised, but on average, affective polarisation is rising fastest in democracies like the US, Germany, India, Brazil and Bulgaria. The index also covers ideological polarisation** (the degree to which people agree on core policy issues) and elite polarisation*** (the degree to which political rivals consider each other as legitimate). The US is the only country globally where affective, ideological and elite polarisation have all increased at a rapid pace over the past 15 years. After reviewing over a century's worth of data from more than 200 countries, Willis found that in democracies, surges in polarisation tended to follow economic crises or corruption scandals, which appeared to discredit traditional political leaders. These surges were often accompanied by the growth of populist political movements and an increased frequency of political violence events. Other key findings include: The highest levels of affective polarisation globally are in countries where political competition happens along ethnic or religious lines. Long-serving political leaders and controversial populists are a polarising force in several countries. Geopolitical and foreign policy divides can also lead to polarisation of societies. Polarisation and populism are rising both in the US and Europe and in the emerging world. The research also identifies some hopeful trends. Truth and reconciliation processes, cross-party coalitions, and open and transparent investigations in cases of corruption or other crises have been accompanied by rapid reductions in political polarisation in the past. There is reason to believe that lessons from these examples could be applied to current challenges. Sam Wilkin, director of political risk analytics at Willis, said: 'There is a well-established correlation between polarisation and political violence. But polarisation is also being felt on a more personal basis, such as how we perceive our friends and colleagues. Businesses face growing challenges from operating in increasingly polarised societies.' The complete report can be downloaded here. *Affective polarisation refers to the phenomenon of individuals developing strong positive feelings toward members of their own group (in-group) and negative feelings towards members of opposing groups (out-groups), particularly in a political context. It involves a difference between how people feel about their own party or group and how they feel about those who support opposing parties or groups. This can lead to increased hostility, reduced willingness to compromise, and a lack of empathy for those with different political views. **Ideological polarisation refers to the extent to which political attitudes become more divided and extreme, often along partisan lines. This can manifest as individuals and groups holding increasingly divergent views on issues, and a greater emphasis on partisan identity over shared values or common ground. ***Elite polarisation refers to the ideological divide and political disagreement among elites—such as elected officials, party leaders, policymakers, and influential media figures—typically along partisan lines. About WTW At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance. Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at Media contact Lauren David: / +44 7385947619 Candela Farroni: / +44 7795 155654Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
