John Tomic assault trial postponed

John Tomic ... will now have to front court in Madrid in October. Source: JULIAN SMITH / AAP

The assault hearing involving the father and coach of Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has been postponed because the man he is accused of headbutting said he couldn't attend.

John Tomic was to face court in Madrid on Tuesday night (EST) charged with the alleged assault of Tomic's training partner Thomas Drouet earlier this month.

But the Madrid court said the trial was postponed until October because Frenchman Drouet could not travel to Spain.

Drouet did not specify why he couldn't return for the hearing, casting some doubt over whether it will go ahead, though the court indicated it would.

"Since the plaintiff has not dropped the proceedings, the hearing is postponed for reasons of court scheduling until October,'' the court said in a statement.

John Tomic is free to leave Spain but will have to return for the trial, though no exact date has been set yet.

Drouet was left with a broken nose on May 4 after a brawl outside a hotel where players in the Madrid Masters were staying.

John Tomic denies assault and says he struck in self-defence, his lawyer Carmen Dieguez said.

Bernard Tomic, the world No.53, has made a poor start to this year's European clay court season and lost in straight sets to Czech veteran Radek Stepanek in the first round of the Madrid Masters.

He pulled out of the Rome Masters taking place this week, further disrupting his preparations for the French Open, starting on May 26.

Tomic Sr has been banned from attending ATP events in a coaching capacity pending further investigations into the incident.

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ANTI-GROPING GROPER? Air Force Prevention Head Booked on Assault Charge

Published May 06, 2013

FoxNews.com

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  May 5, 2013: Jeffrey Krusinski, 41, the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention teamâs chief of staff, is seen in this mugshot after his arrest on a misdemeanor sexual battery charge.

File this one under fox guarding the hen house.

A top-level staffer for the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention team was charged early Sunday morning with misdemeanor sexual battery, police in northern Virginia say.

The person arrested has been identified as Jeffrey Krusinski, 41, of Arlington. Krusinski was the prevention team’s chief of staff for the past two months and was removed from the post Monday pending the outcome of an investigation, Air Force officials say.

Police say Krusinski was intoxicated when he approached a woman at about 12:35 a.m. in a parking lot and “grabbed her breasts and buttocks.” He was arrested, charges and held on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

The woman is said to have fought off Krusinski and then called police. The two apparently didn't know each other.

The incident occurred in the 500 block of South 23rd Street, just across the Potomac River from Washington and a few miles from the Pentagon.

An arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.

The incident is the latest in a series of sexual assault cases allegedly involving Air Force personnel.

Earlier this year, a lieutenant general overturned a sexual assault conviction for fighter pilot Lt. Col. James Wilkerson, who was convicted a year earlier of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to a year in jail.

In addition, roughly a dozen training instructors at Joint Base San Antonio-Lockland, in Texas, have been convicted of misconduct with trainees, including cases of sexual assault.  

Krusinski served in Afghanistan and attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he played baseball, according to the publication Stars and Stripes magazine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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John Tomic 'jailed for assault': reports

Headlines ... More unwanted attention for John Tomic. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Bernard Tomic's controversial father John has been arrested in Madrid for allegedly headbutting son Bernard's hitting partner Thomas Drouet, according to reports on Twitter.

Drouet's nose was reportedly broken and he was knocked out in the incident in Madrid, where Bernard Tomic was contesting the Madrid Masters.

Tennis journalist Matt Cronin wrote on Twitter: "John Tomic said to have spent 1-2 days in jail. Hitting partner still in Madrid with neck brace on & badly broken nose in cast

"Bernie's hitting partner is said to be Thomas Drouet, been working with him for few motnhs (sic). 

"ATP officially confirms to me  there was an incident and they are investigating."

Bernard Tomic's disappointing clay court season continued on Monday morning (EST) as he was thumped by veteran Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-2 in the first round of the Madrid Masters.

The Czech veteran next faces second seed and defending champion Roger Federer.

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Rob Kardashian sued for robbery and assault: Which star had the worst run-in with the law?

Published May 01, 2013

SodaHead.com

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  Television personality Rob Kardashian arrives at the opening of the Kardashian Khaos store at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada December 15, 2011.Reuters

Say it ain't so, Rob. It all started when the lone male of the Kardashian sibling clan didn't want a photo snapped of him with his shirt off -- and now, Robert Kardashian is being sued for robbery and assault.

Andra Vaik, the paparazza who was snapping photos of a shirtless Rob at a West Hollywood gym, says she had her camera and memory card snatched from her by Kardashian, who was reportedly upset at being photographed with some added weight on him. Though Rob returned the camera to the photographer, he reportedly kept the memory card full of photos.

SODAHEAD SLIDESHOW: Stars who've had trouble with the law

But don't you fret. Robert Kardashian isn't the only star who's had a brush-up with the law. The most recent (and probably most surprising) is Reese Witherspoon, who talked back to a police officer and was arrested briefly for disorderly conduct while her husband was pulled over for suspicion of DUI.

Then there's Amanda Bynes, whose law enforcement woes include driving under the influence, being involved in a hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license. And how can we forget Lindsay Lohan? LiLo has had driving issues as well -- and let's not dismiss that time she was charged for stealing a pricey necklace.

From Rob Kardashian to Reese Witherspoon to Lindsay Lohan, click through our slideshow for the scoop on stars who've had the worst issues with the law -- and let us know who you think is the baddest offender.

PHOTOS: See the latest celebrity pictures to hit the Internet

Which star has had the worst run-in with the law?

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SEX ASSAULT CASE: Family Suing Suspects After Calif. Teen Kills Self

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• • 

    Exclusive: Family of bullied teen speaks out

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    Are teens who posted pictures online complicit in suicide?

The family of a girl who committed suicide after she was sexually assaulted and a photo of the act was shared in text messages say they are outraged by what they see as a refusal to take responsibility by the three boys arrested in the attack.

Lisa Pott, the girl's stepmother, said Monday the boys were sober when the assault on 15-year-old Audrie Pott occurred at a Labor Day sleepover party. In an interview Monday with Fox News, Pott said that makes what the teenage boys did "cold and calculated."

Audrie's father, Larry Pott, said he is astounded that defense lawyers for the three have said there is no link between the sharing of the humiliating photo and his daughter's decision to end her life.

The remarks Monday were the family's first public comments since their daughter's death. 

Lawyers for the girl's family said they are planning to file a civil action against the suspects on Monday. 

Family spokesman Ed Vasquez said the girl's parents want to speak out about how they learned of the sexual assault and share what they know about the three teenage suspects who were arrested last Thursday. Their arrest came eight months after Pott posted online that her life was ruined and then hanged herself.

Eric Geffon, who represents one of the suspected teens, said the boys were cited last fall but no formal charges were filed against them until Thursday, when Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies arrested two boys at Saratoga High School and a third, a former Saratoga High student, at Christopher High in Gilroy where he currently was a student. As of Sunday night, all three 16-year-old boys were still being held in the Santa Clara County detention center.

Pott also had been a student at Saratoga High, and the suspects were her friends, said family attorney Robert Allard.

On the night she was assaulted, Pott drank alcohol mixed with Gatorade at the sleepover party, then went upstairs and fell asleep "and woke up to the worst nightmare imaginable," Allard said. Over the next week, she pieced together who had sexually battered her and realized at least one humiliating photo was electronically being passed around the school.

"She was being consoled by other friends and they were concerned about her. One day she apparently felt that she couldn't cope with it anymore and poor Audrie was traumatized to the point where she ended her life," Allard said.

Geffon said much of what has been reported is incorrect, including the family's assertion that the boys were not cooperating with investigators. He added that the Santa Clara County sheriff's decision to arrest the boys just days prior to a civil lawsuit being filed seems "awfully coincidental."

Pott's family is adamant that the suspects be tried as adults.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Rapper Gucci Mane wanted in alleged assault at Atlanta nightclub

Published March 23, 2013

Associated Press

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  Oct. 2, 2010: In this file photo, rapper Gucci Mane arrives on the red carpet for the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.AP

ATLANTA –  An arrest warrant was issued for Gucci Mane after a fan told police the rapper hit him in the head with a champagne bottle at a downtown Atlanta nightclub.

James Lettley, of Fort Hood, Texas, said he was in Atlanta for his birthday and heard that the rapper -- whose real name is Radric Davis -- was going to be at the Harlem Nights Ultra Lounge promoting a new mixtape.

Lettley, 32, said Saturday he wanted to get a picture with the rapper and was talking to a security guard when he was hit March 16.

"Once he struck me in my head, I looked at him in a state of shock and looked at him like `why?"' Lettley said. He said he was then hit in his face by a second man and left the club.

Police said the assault appeared to be unprovoked and caused a severe gash to Lettley's head.

He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and said he had to get 10 stitches. Police said the rapper may have taken off in a white Chevrolet Tahoe.

Lyon said a warrant has been issued for aggravated assault. Calls to numbers listed for Davis were not returned Saturday. It's unclear if the rapper has an attorney.

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No charges for Lindsay Lohan in New York City assault case, lawyer says

Published March 22, 2013

Associated Press

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  March 18, 2013: Actress Lindsay Lohan, left, and her attorney Mark Heller appear at a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court.AP

NEW YORK –  New York City prosecutors will not charge Lindsay Lohan in an alleged fight at a Manhattan nightclub in November, an attorney for the actress said Friday.

Attorney Marc Heller said the Lohan faces no formal charges after prosecutors were unable to gather sufficient evidence to prove the case.

"She's totally clear and exonerated," Heller said. "She has nothing but smooth sailing ahead."

A spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance declined to comment.

Lohan was arrested Nov. 29 on a charge of misdemeanor assault after an encounter with a woman at the club Avenue in the city's trendy Meatpacking District.

Lohan's accuser, Tiffany Mitchell, was "disappointed" that the district attorney's office decided not to prosecute, said her attorney, Gloria Allred.

"Ms. Mitchell is considering all of her legal options in the civil justice system because of what she suffered that night," said Allred.

The district attorney's decision was welcomed news for "Liz and Dick" star, who accepted a plea deal Monday in a misdemeanor car crash case in California.

The troubled 26-year-old actress was sentenced to spend five days in jail, but that time will be served in a locked-down rehabilitation facility. The plea deal also includes 90 days in rehab, 30 days of community labor, 18 months of psychological counseling, a fine and restitution.

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GUN BAN SHELVED: Senate Dems Drop Ban on Assault Weapons From Bill

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  FILE: Jan. 24, 2013: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to introduce legislation on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.AP

The leader of the Democrat-controlled Senate on Tuesday dropped a proposed assault weapons ban from the chamber’s gun-control package – dealing a blow to supporters of the ban, though it could still come up for a vote. 

The sponsor of the measure, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., revealed that Reid told her the proposed ban would not be in the initial package. Feinstein said she's "disappointed" with the decision, and is expected to nevertheless offer it as an amendment. 

But the move by Reid to cut it from the main bill signals a lack of congressional support for a proposal that would not only revive, but strengthen, the decade-long ban that expired in 2004. 

The proposed ban passed was passed last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with three other measures. The others dealt with providing more school safety aid, expanding federal background checks on potential gun buyers and helping authorities prosecute illegal gun traffickers.

Feinstein has led the gun-control charge since President Obama called for federal legislation in the wake of the Newtown and other mass shootings. 

The assault weapons ban was the most controversial of the major proposals to restrict guns that have been advanced by Obama and Senate Democrats. Because of that, it had been expected that the assault weapons measure would be left out of the initial package the Senate considers, with Democrats hoping the Senate could in turn amass the strongest possible vote for the overall legislation.

There are 53 Democrats in the Senate, plus two independents who usually vote with them. 

Having a separate vote on assault weapons might free moderate Democratic senators facing re-election next year in Republican-leaning states to vote against the assault weapons measure, but then support the remaining overall package of gun curbs.

Gun control supporters consider a strong Senate vote important because the Republican-run House has shown little enthusiasm for most of Obama's proposals.

Feinstein said Reid told her there would be two additional votes. One would be on her assault weapons ban, which also includes a ban on ammunition magazines that carry more than 10 rounds. The second would just be on prohibiting the high-capacity magazine clips.

Many Democrats think the ban on large-capacity magazines has a better chance of getting 60 votes than the assault weapons ban.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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