Shots fired at school, suspect nabbed

Police in Georgia have a suspect in custody after reports of gunfire at an Atlanta-area elementary school.

Children can be seen being evacuated from McNair Elementary School. Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied

A child peers out the window of a school bus as busses arrive with students after an incident at Ronald McNair Discovery Learning Academy. Picture: AP Source: AP

A MAN armed with an assault rifle entered a primary school in the US state of Georgia, held employees hostage, and fired on police who shot back before giving himself up.

Dramatic overhead television footage captured young students racing out of the building.

Just a week into the new school year, more than 800 students in pre-kindergarten to fifth grade were evacuated by teachers and police on Tuesday from Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Decatur, a few kilometres east of Atlanta.

DeKalb County Police Chief Cedric L Alexander said the suspect, identified later as 20-year-old Michael Brandon Hill, fired at least half a dozen shots from inside the administration area and officers returned fire when he was alone and they had a clear shot. Alexander said at a news conference Hill surrendered shortly after and he had other weapons, but police had no motive for the incident.

Though the school has a system where people must be buzzed in by staff, the gunman may have slipped inside behind someone authorised to be there, Alexander said.

A child peers out the window of a school bus as busses arrive with students after an incident at Ronald McNair Discovery Learning Academy. Picture: AP Source: AP

Hill never got past the front office, where he held one or two employees captive, the chief said. He has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, terroristic threats and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A woman in the school office called WSB-TV as it was happening to say the gunman had asked her to contact the Atlanta station and police.

WSB said during the call shots were heard in the background. Assignment editor Lacey Lecroy said she spoke with the woman, who said she was alone with the man and his gun was visible.

School clerk Antoinette Tuff in an interview on ABC's World News with Diane Sawyer said she worked to convince the gunman to put down his weapons and ammunition.

SWAT team arrives at the school. Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied

"He told me he was sorry for what he was doing. He was willing to die," Tuff told ABC.

She told him her life story, about how her marriage fell apart after 33 years and the "roller-coaster" of opening her own business.

"I told him, 'OK, we all have situations in our lives'," she said. "It was going to be OK. If I could recover, he could, too." Then Tuff said she asked the suspect to put his weapons down, empty his pockets and backpack on the floor.

"I told the police he was giving himself up. I just talked him through it," she said.

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond praised faculty and authorities who got the young students to safety, staying calm and following plans in place. All teachers and students made it out of the school unharmed.

Relatives, including Misty Henderson, center, are overcome with emotion as the buses with their loved ones pull into the parking lot of a Walmart in Decatur to be reunited with them. Picture: AP Source: NewsComAu

"It's a blessed day, all of our children are safe," Mr Thurmond said at the news conference.

"This was a highly professional response on the ground by DeKalb County employees assisted by law enforcement."

Officials cut a hole in a fence to make sure students running from the building could get even farther away to a nearby street, he said. SWAT teams went from classroom to classroom to make sure people were out.

They sat waiting in a field until school buses came to take them to their parents and relatives at a nearby Wal-Mart, where cheers erupted when the first bus arrived about three hours after the shooting.
Jonessia White, the mother of a kindergartner, said the school's doors are normally locked.

"I took (my son) to school this morning and had to be buzzed in," she said. "So I'm wondering how the guy got in the door."

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Wannabe private lives of alleged 'thrill-killers'

15 year old James Edwards uploaded this video to Vine. Courtesy Vine

THEY muck around, they snap selfies, they rap - and they tote dangerous weapons.

The social media posts of the teens accused of murdering Melbourne baseball player Chris Lane have provided a disturbing insight into their guns-and-money-loving lifestyles.

In a selfie clip posted on Vine on May 7, one of the alleged murderers James Francis Edwards, 15, from Duncan, Oklahoma is recorded brandishing a powerful assault rifle.

"Bitch we up them poles," Edwards says in the clip, "F--- 'em". WATCH VIDEOS

James Edwards, 15, has been charged with first-degree murder. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

One of the teens allegedly boasted on Facebook of two shootings, writing "Bang. Two drops in two hours".

Duncan Police Chief Danny Ford said earlier he had secured the confession of one of the three boys alleged to be involved in the crime.

He said one of the teens, Michael Jones, 17, summoned investigators to his jail cell and confessed the trio was bored "so they decided to kill somebody".

Other Vines reveal the relatively mundane lives of the Oklahoma youths.

In one video Edwards is recorded giving a running commentary about his morning shower.

"Bitch I'm in the shower, bitch I'm in the shower, bitch I'm in the shower," he says.

Many images focus on Edwards's 'gangster' lifestyle. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

Edwards was a prolific poster of selfie-style photos. Source: Facebook

Another selfie from Edwards. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

Edwards is also recorded mumbling the lyrics of a popular Chief Keef rap, flicking through $US100 bills and playing the popular shoot-em-up video game Call of Duty.

An Oklahoma court was told Edwards danced and laughed as he was taken into a police station to be formally charged.

15 year old James Edwards uploaded these videos to his Vine account. Courtesy Vine

"He thinks it's funny and it's all a joke," District Attorney Jason Hicks said in court.

Chancey Luna, 16, who has also been charged with first degree murder is seen in a Vine on Edwards's account, wrestling with his mother.

Chancey Luna, 16, has been charged with first-degree murder. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

James Edwards, 15, who has been accused of first-degree murder. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

The court was told the three boys spotted Lane, 22, jogging along a road in Duncan on Friday.

The court heard the boys got into a car driven by Michael Jones, 17, drove behind Mr Lane, who was shot by Chancey Luna, 16.

The boys are often pictured brandishing considerable quantities of money. Source: Facebook

Mr Lane was killed by a .22 calibre revolver shot through his back. A small pistol was featured as Edwards's Facebook cover photo as recently as May.

A Facebook post on Edwards's wall. Picture: Facebook Source: NewsComAu

Edwards and Luna have been charged with first-degree murder, and Jones was charged with the use of a vehicles in the discharge of a weapon and accessory to murder after the fact.

An unconfirmed report said the three accused had shot and killed an animal before shooting Lane.

A Duncan resident told news.com.au a mule had been shot on the day of Lane's murder.

A weapon which was posted as Edwards's Facebook cover photo in May this year. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

Chief Ford said the teens had no motive other than to "make a name for themselves''.

Mr Lane's father, Peter Lane, called the killing "senseless" in an interview with CNN.

"There's not going to be any good coming out of this because it was so senseless," Mr Lane said. "It happened, it's wrong and we're just trying to deal with it the best we can."

Edwards with a wad of cash. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

###

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'I'll make these three thugs pay'

15 year old James Edwards uploaded this video to Vine. Courtesy Vine

THE teenagers accused of murdering Melbourne baseball player Chris Lane were dobbed in by a local who claims his son was the trio's next target.

Chancey Allen Luna, 16, and James Francis Edwards Jr., 15 have been charged with first-degree murder over the fatal shooting in Duncan, Oklahoma. Michael Dewayne Jones, 17, was charged with using a vehicle in the discharge of a weapon and with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact.

James Johnson, 52, called the police to tell them that the accused killers were hiding in the car park of the Immauel Baptist Church car park at about 5pm, two hours after they allegedly shot Lane.

The Immanuel Baptist Church parking lot in Duncan, Oklahoma, where the three accused of killing Chris Lane last Friday were apprehended. Picture: Andrew Quilty Source: Supplied

"My son called me and said, "They're saying they're coming to kill me," so I called the police and they got here within about three minutes," Johnson told the Herald Sun.

Two boys who allegedly shot dead an Australian baseballer have been charged with first degree murder.

Mr Johnson claimed that Edwards Jr had threatened the life of his own 17-year-old son Christopher on Facebook. His son was at home with his mother and sisters near the church when he received the death threat.

"They threatened to kill my son because they are in a gang, the Crips, and were trying to get my son in it and I wouldn't let him do it.

"I told him he couldn't run with those boys. He's a little terrified."

Mr Johnson said the Crips, a predominantly African American street gang that began in Los Angeles in 1969 and had been in Duncan for the past few years.

James Johnson believes his teenage son was the trio's next target. Picture: Andrew Quilty Source: Supplied

He said the group consisted of teenagers who he called "wannabes."

"I've been living here all my life and we never had this, but in the past few years gangs from Lawton have been coming here," Johnson said of the Crips.

Johnson's son also attends Duncan High School, where suspect Luna and Edwards Jr. were students. He said he knew both boys, and described them as "troublemakers" and "bullies" who had "no parental supervision."

"I'm just glad they found the other gun, because they haven't found the murder weapon yet," said Johnson.

Meanwhile, the US government says it is "deeply saddened" by the drive-by shooting murder.

"The United States is deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the death of an Australian citizen in Oklahoma," Ms Harf said.

"This is clearly a tragic death, and we extend our condolences to the family and the loved ones. We understand that local authorities are focused on bringing those responsible to justice. Clearly, we would support that."

The State Department's comments came after former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer urged Australian tourists to stay away from America to protest the need for stricter gun controls in the US.

Prosecutors have promised that the "thugs" charged over the brutal murder "will pay".

District Attorney Jason Hicks said outside the first court hearing in the Oklahoma town of Duncan that he was "going to do everything I can to ensure these three thugs pay for what they did to Christopher Lane".

"To those friends of ours in Australia, we would say to you this is not Duncan, Oklahoma," Mr Hicks said.

"This is not Stephens County, Oklahoma."

Stephens County Courthouse heard how one of the boys accused of murdering Lane, 22, danced and laughed as he was taken into a police station to be charged after the killing on Friday.

James Edwards, 15, was treating the murder as a joke, Mr Hicks told the hearing.

Mr Hicks told the court that Edwards has previously been in contact with police, and that he had "an attitude of total disregard for law enforcement" when he was being charged over Lane's death.

Revealed: Private lives of the accused

How the world press covered the shooting

"He thinks it's funny, and it's all a joke," Mr Hicks said.

"I believe he is a threat to the community."

Mr Hicks said Edwards kept a probation appointment for another matter at the courthouse just minutes after Lane was killed.

The girlfriend of a murdered Australian baseball player Chris Lane says she will cherish the memories their time together. Courtesy Channel Ten

"He was cold, callous and that was the demeanour that we saw throughout the course of the investigation," Mr Hicks said.

Edwards and Chancey Luna, 16, are charged with first-degree murder and face life in prison if convicted.

Mr Hicks said that Luna had refused to co-operate with police.

They were both refused bail.

James Edwards, 15, charged with first-degree murder. Source: Supplied

James Edwards takes a selfie. Source: Supplied

Chancey Luna, 16, charged with first-degree murder. Source: AP

Chancey Luna. Source: Supplied

Michael Jones, 17, was charged with using a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a weapon and accessory after the fact of murder in the first degree.

Bail for Jones, who is assisting prosecutors and police, was set at $US1 million ($A1.1 million).

The three will be tried as adults.

They were dressed in orange prison jumpsuits and had their legs shackled during the brief appearance.

Michael Jones, 17, charged with being an accessory to the killing. Source: Supplied

The court was told that the three boys spotted Lane jogging along a road in an upper-class area of Duncan on Friday.

They got into a car driven by Jones, drove behind Lane and then Luna shot him with .22 calibre revolver in the back, the court was told.

"The information we have was this was the person who pulled the trigger," the prosecutor said of Luna.

Edwards and Luna did not show any emotion, but Jones broke down in tears after Mr Hicks said he was looking at a "very, very lengthy prison sentence".

"I didn't pull the trigger," Jones said.

Chris Lane. Picture: Essendon Baseball Club Source: AP

Sarah Harper and Chris Lane. Source: Supplied

The courtroom was packed and divided.

In the front row sat about 20 family and friends of Sarah Harper, Lane's longtime American girlfriend. Ms Harper, 23, was not in court.

Cindy Harper told the Herald Sun her daughter was at home "trying to relax".

Another Harper family member said "this is surreal" as they were taken out a side door of the court building by sheriffs.

A few rows behind was a distraught Jennifer Luna, coming to grips with a nightmare 12 months that saw the death of her husband in a motorcycle accident and now the prospect her son could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jennifer Luna, right, the mother of murder suspect Chancey Luna, outside court. Source: AP

Jennifer Luna. Photo: Andrew Quilty. Source: HeraldSun

On the right hand side of the courtroom was James Edwards Sr, refusing to believe his son was a killer.

"Yes, I do," Mr Edwards replied outside court when asked if he believed his son, who hoped to be an Olympic wrestler, was innocent.

In the back left area of the court was Jones's parents and supporters, including his pregnant girlfriend.

She sobbed in her seat, eventually leaving the court before Jones came in.

Edwards and Luna did not appear to be fazed during their court appearance.

Even when Ms Luna stood up in court to answer an administrative question from Judge Jerry Herberger, her son didn't acknowledge her.

Edwards didn't look for family members.

James Edwards Sr believes his 15-year-old son is innocent. Source: AP

The sister of accused murder James Edwards is comforted by a friend, left. Source: HeraldSun

Asked if she had a message for the Lane family outside court, Ms Luna told the Herald Sun: "I feel sorry for them, my heart goes out to them, it really does, but that's my baby too.

"My boy was a baby too."

Luna said there were no guns at her house, and her son was at home playing X-Box with her soon-to-be stepson when she came home from work last Friday after finishing at 3pm.

It comes a day after Duncan Police Chief Danny Ford said he had secured the confession of Jones who had summoned investigators to his jail cell and claimed they were bored "so they decided to kill somebody".

Chief Ford said the teens had no motive other than to ''make a name for themselves''.

Prosecutor Jason Hicks, right, talks to the media following the teenagers' court appearance. Source: AP

Lane was staying with Ms Harper in Duncan before going back to Oklahoma's East Central University where he majored in finance and was the catcher on the team's baseball team.

Ms Harper yesterday revealed her heartbreak at losing her "best friend", and parents of the accused protested their innocence.

She also told the Herald Sun that she didn't know what punishment would be appropriate for the three teens.

Lane, who grew up in Oak Park in Melbourne's north, had only been back in the US for three days after an eight-week break in Australia with Ms Harper.

"I don't want them to have any future that Chris wasn't able to have as well," Ms Harper said of the accused yesterday.

"It's been pretty rough. It's been hard knowing he was taken so close to home, let alone taken in the way he was. To be pointed out like that …"

Ms Harper said she and Lane had joked about America's soft gun laws before he was shot.

"He wasn't a fan of guns," she said.

Sarah Harper next to a memorial along the road where Chris Lane was killed. Source: AP

A memorial to Chris Lane near where he was shot. Source: AP

She fondly described Lane as a smart, kind and curious guy who would "do anything for anybody".

Ms Harper, also a talented sportswoman, said she and Lane just "meshed together" within weeks of meeting at college in Oklahoma in August 2009.

"It was more of a personality (we had in common), not so much interests. He was intellectual, into world news, and I found that quite boring," she said.

"He really wanted to travel more. He loved the idea of seeing the world."

Ms Harper said she would come back to Australia to farewell Lane with his family.

"I'm probably going to go back and say goodbye with the people he loved the most," she said.

"It was a great time getting back there and seeing him in his element with all his favourite friends.

"It's going to be hard going back but it's something I need to do.

"Thank you to everyone who supported and loved Chris. I really appreciated it."

Christopher Lane's mother and sister. Source: News Limited

Shocked family and friends have been trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Peter Lane paid tribute to his son and said the family was still waiting on news from the US authorities regarding the repatriation of the body.

"There is not going to be any good come out of this. It was so senseless. There was nothing he did or could have done," Mr Lane said this week.

"It's happened. It's wrong and we just try and deal with it the best we can."

Flowers and a baseball have been placed on the home plate at Essendon Baseball Club with a message.

"A wonderful young man taken too soon," it read. "Why?"

College friend Marshall Veal added Lane had "brought light to each of us''.

"Lanes would have done anything in the world for all of us and we would do the same, he was a best friend, teammate, and most of all a Brother. We love you Laney."

Local Bill Renfrow, who lives just metres from the intersection where Lane was shot, said Duncan locals had erected a flower memorial for him at the site of the attack.

"It's sad to us, more than anything. It's shocking. He was a visitor in our country," he said.

"This is a very quiet neighbourhood, there's never any trouble here."

Essendon Baseball Club's match against the University of Melbourne on Sunday will be turned into a tribute to Lane to raise money for the family.

- with Stephen Drill Andy Burns and AAP

The father of baseballer Chris Lane says the murder of his son in a random drive-by shooting is senseless.

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'My son was their next target'

15 year old James Edwards uploaded this video to Vine. Courtesy Vine

THE teenagers accused of murdering Melbourne baseball player Chris Lane were dobbed in by a local who claims his son was the trio's next target.

Chancey Allen Luna, 16, and James Francis Edwards Jr., 15 have been charged with first-degree murder over the fatal shooting in Duncan, Oklahoma. Michael Dewayne Jones, 17, was charged with using a vehicle in the discharge of a weapon and with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact.

James Johnson, 52, called the police to tell them that the accused killers were hiding in the car park of the Immauel Baptist Church car park at about 5pm, two hours after they allegedly shot Lane.

The Immanuel Baptist Church parking lot in Duncan, Oklahoma, where the three accused of killing Chris Lane last Friday were apprehended. Picture: Andrew Quilty Source: Supplied

"My son called me and said, "They're saying they're coming to kill me," so I called the police and they got here within about three minutes," Johnson told the Herald Sun.

Two boys who allegedly shot dead an Australian baseballer have been charged with first degree murder.

Mr Johnson claimed that Edwards Jr had threatened the life of his own 17-year-old son Christopher on Facebook. His son was at home with his mother and sisters near the church when he received the death threat.

"They threatened to kill my son because they are in a gang, the Crips, and were trying to get my son in it and I wouldn't let him do it.

"I told him he couldn't run with those boys. He's a little terrified."

Mr Johnson said the Crips, a predominantly African American street gang that began in Los Angeles in 1969 and had been in Duncan for the past few years.

James Johnson believes his teenage son was the trio's next target. Picture: Andrew Quilty Source: Supplied

He said the group consisted of teenagers who he called "wannabes."

"I've been living here all my life and we never had this, but in the past few years gangs from Lawton have been coming here," Johnson said of the Crips.

Johnson's son also attends Duncan High School, where suspect Luna and Edwards Jr. were students. He said he knew both boys, and described them as "troublemakers" and "bullies" who had "no parental supervision."

"I'm just glad they found the other gun, because they haven't found the murder weapon yet," said Johnson.

Meanwhile, the US government says it is "deeply saddened" by the drive-by shooting murder.

"The United States is deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the death of an Australian citizen in Oklahoma," Ms Harf said.

"This is clearly a tragic death, and we extend our condolences to the family and the loved ones. We understand that local authorities are focused on bringing those responsible to justice. Clearly, we would support that."

The State Department's comments came after former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer urged Australian tourists to stay away from America to protest the need for stricter gun controls in the US.

Prosecutors have promised that the "thugs" charged over the brutal murder "will pay".

District Attorney Jason Hicks said outside the first court hearing in the Oklahoma town of Duncan that he was "going to do everything I can to ensure these three thugs pay for what they did to Christopher Lane".

"To those friends of ours in Australia, we would say to you this is not Duncan, Oklahoma," Mr Hicks said.

"This is not Stephens County, Oklahoma."

Stephens County Courthouse heard how one of the boys accused of murdering Lane, 22, danced and laughed as he was taken into a police station to be charged after the killing on Friday.

James Edwards, 15, was treating the murder as a joke, Mr Hicks told the hearing.

Mr Hicks told the court that Edwards has previously been in contact with police, and that he had "an attitude of total disregard for law enforcement" when he was being charged over Lane's death.

Revealed: Private lives of the accused

How the world press covered the shooting

"He thinks it's funny, and it's all a joke," Mr Hicks said.

"I believe he is a threat to the community."

Mr Hicks said Edwards kept a probation appointment for another matter at the courthouse just minutes after Lane was killed.

The girlfriend of a murdered Australian baseball player Chris Lane says she will cherish the memories their time together. Courtesy Channel Ten

"He was cold, callous and that was the demeanour that we saw throughout the course of the investigation," Mr Hicks said.

Edwards and Chancey Luna, 16, are charged with first-degree murder and face life in prison if convicted.

Mr Hicks said that Luna had refused to co-operate with police.

They were both refused bail.

James Edwards, 15, charged with first-degree murder. Source: Supplied

James Edwards takes a selfie. Source: Supplied

Chancey Luna, 16, charged with first-degree murder. Source: AP

Chancey Luna. Source: Supplied

Michael Jones, 17, was charged with using a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a weapon and accessory after the fact of murder in the first degree.

Bail for Jones, who is assisting prosecutors and police, was set at $US1 million ($A1.1 million).

The three will be tried as adults.

They were dressed in orange prison jumpsuits and had their legs shackled during the brief appearance.

Michael Jones, 17, charged with being an accessory to the killing. Source: Supplied

The court was told that the three boys spotted Lane jogging along a road in an upper-class area of Duncan on Friday.

They got into a car driven by Jones, drove behind Lane and then Luna shot him with .22 calibre revolver in the back, the court was told.

"The information we have was this was the person who pulled the trigger," the prosecutor said of Luna.

Edwards and Luna did not show any emotion, but Jones broke down in tears after Mr Hicks said he was looking at a "very, very lengthy prison sentence".

"I didn't pull the trigger," Jones said.

Chris Lane. Picture: Essendon Baseball Club Source: AP

Sarah Harper and Chris Lane. Source: Supplied

The courtroom was packed and divided.

In the front row sat about 20 family and friends of Sarah Harper, Lane's longtime American girlfriend. Ms Harper, 23, was not in court.

Cindy Harper told the Herald Sun her daughter was at home "trying to relax".

Another Harper family member said "this is surreal" as they were taken out a side door of the court building by sheriffs.

A few rows behind was a distraught Jennifer Luna, coming to grips with a nightmare 12 months that saw the death of her husband in a motorcycle accident and now the prospect her son could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jennifer Luna, right, the mother of murder suspect Chancey Luna, outside court. Source: AP

Jennifer Luna. Photo: Andrew Quilty. Source: HeraldSun

On the right hand side of the courtroom was James Edwards Sr, refusing to believe his son was a killer.

"Yes, I do," Mr Edwards replied outside court when asked if he believed his son, who hoped to be an Olympic wrestler, was innocent.

In the back left area of the court was Jones's parents and supporters, including his pregnant girlfriend.

She sobbed in her seat, eventually leaving the court before Jones came in.

Edwards and Luna did not appear to be fazed during their court appearance.

Even when Ms Luna stood up in court to answer an administrative question from Judge Jerry Herberger, her son didn't acknowledge her.

Edwards didn't look for family members.

James Edwards Sr believes his 15-year-old son is innocent. Source: AP

The sister of accused murder James Edwards is comforted by a friend, left. Source: HeraldSun

Asked if she had a message for the Lane family outside court, Ms Luna told the Herald Sun: "I feel sorry for them, my heart goes out to them, it really does, but that's my baby too.

"My boy was a baby too."

Luna said there were no guns at her house, and her son was at home playing X-Box with her soon-to-be stepson when she came home from work last Friday after finishing at 3pm.

It comes a day after Duncan Police Chief Danny Ford said he had secured the confession of Jones who had summoned investigators to his jail cell and claimed they were bored "so they decided to kill somebody".

Chief Ford said the teens had no motive other than to ''make a name for themselves''.

Prosecutor Jason Hicks, right, talks to the media following the teenagers' court appearance. Source: AP

Lane was staying with Ms Harper in Duncan before going back to Oklahoma's East Central University where he majored in finance and was the catcher on the team's baseball team.

Ms Harper yesterday revealed her heartbreak at losing her "best friend", and parents of the accused protested their innocence.

She also told the Herald Sun that she didn't know what punishment would be appropriate for the three teens.

Lane, who grew up in Oak Park in Melbourne's north, had only been back in the US for three days after an eight-week break in Australia with Ms Harper.

"I don't want them to have any future that Chris wasn't able to have as well," Ms Harper said of the accused yesterday.

"It's been pretty rough. It's been hard knowing he was taken so close to home, let alone taken in the way he was. To be pointed out like that …"

Ms Harper said she and Lane had joked about America's soft gun laws before he was shot.

"He wasn't a fan of guns," she said.

Sarah Harper next to a memorial along the road where Chris Lane was killed. Source: AP

A memorial to Chris Lane near where he was shot. Source: AP

She fondly described Lane as a smart, kind and curious guy who would "do anything for anybody".

Ms Harper, also a talented sportswoman, said she and Lane just "meshed together" within weeks of meeting at college in Oklahoma in August 2009.

"It was more of a personality (we had in common), not so much interests. He was intellectual, into world news, and I found that quite boring," she said.

"He really wanted to travel more. He loved the idea of seeing the world."

Ms Harper said she would come back to Australia to farewell Lane with his family.

"I'm probably going to go back and say goodbye with the people he loved the most," she said.

"It was a great time getting back there and seeing him in his element with all his favourite friends.

"It's going to be hard going back but it's something I need to do.

"Thank you to everyone who supported and loved Chris. I really appreciated it."

Christopher Lane's mother and sister. Source: News Limited

Shocked family and friends have been trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Peter Lane paid tribute to his son and said the family was still waiting on news from the US authorities regarding the repatriation of the body.

"There is not going to be any good come out of this. It was so senseless. There was nothing he did or could have done," Mr Lane said this week.

"It's happened. It's wrong and we just try and deal with it the best we can."

Flowers and a baseball have been placed on the home plate at Essendon Baseball Club with a message.

"A wonderful young man taken too soon," it read. "Why?"

College friend Marshall Veal added Lane had "brought light to each of us''.

"Lanes would have done anything in the world for all of us and we would do the same, he was a best friend, teammate, and most of all a Brother. We love you Laney."

Local Bill Renfrow, who lives just metres from the intersection where Lane was shot, said Duncan locals had erected a flower memorial for him at the site of the attack.

"It's sad to us, more than anything. It's shocking. He was a visitor in our country," he said.

"This is a very quiet neighbourhood, there's never any trouble here."

Essendon Baseball Club's match against the University of Melbourne on Sunday will be turned into a tribute to Lane to raise money for the family.

- with Stephen Drill Andy Burns and AAP

The father of baseballer Chris Lane says the murder of his son in a random drive-by shooting is senseless.

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LIVE: The People's Forum

KEVIN Rudd and Tony Abbott went head to head in a battle for undecided voters. If you missed it, you can catch a replay here.

And you can read Sarah Michael's rolling report and tweets from throughout the debate in our campaign blog below.

2013 Federal Election - Day 17

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REPLAY: The People's Forum

KEVIN Rudd and Tony Abbott went head to head in a battle for undecided voters. If you missed it, you can catch a replay here.

And you can read Sarah Michael's rolling report and tweets from throughout the debate in our campaign blog below.

2013 Federal Election - Day 17

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Bombers coach to sue AFL

Essendon coach James Hird launched a scathing attack at the AFL at a press conference into the use of performance drugs at the Essendon Football Club

JAMES Hird will launch Supreme Court action against the AFL over its handling of footy's drugs investigation.

"We will be instituting proceedings in the morning," the Essendon coach's lawyer, Stephen Amendola, told the Herald Sun.

The move comes as it emerged the AFL wanted the Bombers to accept a penalty deal which would have included Hird's head, a multi-million-dollar fine, the loss of possibly two years of draft picks and exclusion from this year's finals.

Essendon said it never considered the proposed "deal" from the AFL because it considered the sanction "armageddon".

Doc's letter reveals he was kept in dark

Watch 24/7 coverage on Fox Sports News with news+

The seven-month drugs scandal exploded yesterday after the AFL chose to release its full list of charges against the Bombers.

The 34-page document revealed a litany of allegations detailing drug injections, substances brought back from China by a convicted drug dealer and claims of a health scare for Hird after he was injected with an exotic substance.

Bombers coach James Hird told the media that AFL has ''continued its trial by media''. Picture: Getty Images

Essendon described the move as an "ambush", and said a different set of charges had been presented to the club by the league in tense negotiations last week.

The list of charges states:

PLAYERS may have been given banned performance-enhancing drug Thymosin Beta-4, among 15 substances administered.

HIRD had suffered unspecified "significant" side-effects from drugs he injected in 2012.

CLUB doctor Bruce Reid expressed his concern and frustration over the supplements regime in his missing letter to other club officials.

HIRD was warned by an AFL integrity officer to avoid peptides.

PLAYERS were to receive 1500 injections of AOD-9604 and a version of Thymosin and more than 16,500 doses of Colostrum and 8000 doses of Tribulus.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has publically anounced the charges Essendon will be facing, while also confirming a meeting of all club presidents will be held in the near future.

"The AFL is determined to punish the Essendon Football Club, and four individuals personally, as though we were drug cheats," club chairman Paul Little said.

AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick has called an extraordinary meeting of 18 club presidents for this afternoon.

Detailing the charges, AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said: "The Essendon Football Club and other parties will be given every reasonable opportunity to answer these charges. There has been no predetermination of this matter."

AFL, Bombers head for legal showdown

Hird health scare claims

One club president told the Herald Sun he expected the league to seek club support in punishing the Bombers and, potentially, kicking them out of the finals.

Little confirmed he would front the meeting.

Essendon chairman Paul Little defends the club during a press conference. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

The league is determined to resolve the dispute in a hearing before the AFL Commission.

But Hird's lawyers, acting with the support of the club, will today ask the Supreme Court to back the coach's demands for an independent hearing and the removal of AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou from any proceedings.

The Supreme Court statement of claim is also expected to detail the events of early February and the AFL's alleged involvement in the club's decision to "self-report" to the league and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

What Little and Hird said in full

AFL knew about AOD-9604

The AFL charged Essendon and its four officials - Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid, assistant coach Mark Thompson and footy boss Danny Corcoran - with bringing the game into disrepute 10 days ago over the 2012 supplements program.

A former member of the AFL's anti-drug tribunal tells AFL 360 the supplement at the centre of the Essendon scandal was "not illegal".

The full text of Dr Reid's letter and supporting documentation relating to the possible use of banned drugs feature in the 34-page document released.

Essendon also took aim at the AFL over claims a former member of the AFL's anti-doping tribunal was told in February that AOD-9604 was safe and not prohibited.

Dr Andrew Garnham, currently working as a consultant for Essendon, said scientific evidence showed AOD-9604 had minimal side-effects.

"That the AFL has known this for six months but let questions hang over the head of the club and most unforgivably our players, is reprehensible," Little said.

ASADA maintained it had never approved the use of AOD-9604.

A defiant Hird said: "The AFL today continued its trial by media of me. We only received notification minutes before the AFL charges were made public.

"The announcement by ambush confirms the AFL is running an agenda, which again calls into question its impartiality."

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou fronts the media at AFL House. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Demetriou said the charges were only alleged, and that Essendon and its officials, had "every opportunity" to defend themselves.

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What men really can't stand about women

Men hate it when women nag - the act of repeating the same thing over and over again. Picture: Thinkstock Source: News Limited

WHEN Allan and Barbara Pease were newlyweds they decided to make a list of the things they couldn't stand about each other.

He listed six things. She came up with four pages.

The lists must have scarred the couple because they have turned gender differences into their life's work.

The Queensland-based communication authors of titles including Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps have sold more than 25 million copies of their books in 50 languages.

Allan Pease spoke to News Corp Australia about gender differences that helped shed some light on the issue.

First, what men can't stand about women.

(Ladies, don't worry: Come back later today to find out what women hate about men.)

Women don't get to the point: When a woman talks to a male, what do you think he is thinking? He is thinking, 'what point are you making here'. We have identified a style of speaking in men that women don't have. Men use 'direct talk' - they have a start and a conclusion and they keep it shorter than women. Then they look blankly at you and that's how you know they have finished. Direct talk means men leave fairly clear what they mean, it's a style of talk that sounds fairly aggressive to women. Whereas women drop hints and clues hoping the male in his wisdom can work it out. For men it's all a big mystery. SOLUTION: Talk straight.

Women multi-track: When women are speaking their hearing is switched on. When males are talking their hearing is switched off. And it all comes down to the male brain versus the female brain. Women can all speak at the same time but a male would say 'ladies, one at a time'. Men either speak or listen which is the reason why when men talk there is only one talking. When he stops the next starts. SOLUTION: Take turns.

Nagging: It's only men that call it nagging, women only call it nagging when they talk about a woman they don't like. If it's a woman nagging a man she is reminding him of things that he hasn't done. Nagging - the act of repeatedly saying the same thing over and over again - is particularly a problem in young women. Women see it as reminding a man to do what needs to be done. SOLUTION: Set a deadline. For example, instead of saying 'can you take the rubbish out today', 'would you be able to put the rubbish out by 5pm today'.

Exaggeration: Women have an emotive style when they talk, they will use exaggeration to make a point. A popular one is, ''You always do it''. It only makes men seize on the definition of the word - ''I don't ALWAYS do it''. Another used by women is ''I died, I just died'' for little things like someone turning up to a party in the same outfit as theirs. The exaggeration makes it interesting for other women but for men it falls on deaf ears - YOU DIDN'T DIE! if it happened to a guy with an identical tie they would use it as an opportunity to bond. SOLUTION: Stick to the facts.

Not initiating sex enough: The urge to have sex is directly related to testosterone levels. Men have 10 to 20 times more than women. For modern men in business the higher they are on the corporate ladder the more testosterone they have. Women in top jobs in business who did hormone tests showed they have dramatically higher testosterone levels than other women - but also a lot more body hair too. SOLUTION: Negotiate on what makes each of you happy.

Shopping: If a male is going to buy something he will look for it online or in the Yellow Pages and then go out and buy it. For women, shopping is a day out. In evolution, men would hunt the meat, women would gather the salad - it's the same with shopping. For men shopping is a replacement for hunting, for women it's a replacement for gathering. SOLUTION: Don't take men shopping.

Girls, does this sound fair? Have your say below.

Later today: PART 2: What women hate about men

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If you looked like this, you'd post a selfie too

Racheal Finch at the David Jones spring/summer collection launch two weeks ago. Picture: Splash Source: Splash News Australia

Rachael Finch shared this photo of her pregnant self on her Facebook page. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

RACHAEL Finch has shared a stunning photo of her pregnant self with her Facebook fans.

Finch posted a picture of her growing belly on her page and took the opportunity to ask her followers to help her with some tips.

The candid photo shows Finch standing in her bedroom in just her bra and underwear with iPhone in hand.

"Taken at 32 weeks, although only 4 to go now! Tips for birth? R x" she wrote alongside the pic.

Finch is in fine form with her figure only enhanced by her growing baby bump.

The brunette beauty and her partner Michael Miziner said they can't wait for their bub to arrive.

"We are all ready for the baby," Finch said at the David Jones spring/summer launch two weeks ago.

"We've washed all the clothes and the nursery is done."

Finch, 24, and Miziner, 28, told New Idea that they found out they were expecting while on their honeymoon in Thailand just days after they walked down the aisle.

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My morning run with Tony Abbott

Reporter Lauren Novak goes for a run with the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, his daughter Bridget and a posse of photographers and camera operators

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott went for an early morning jog around Brisbane with his daughter Bridget. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

IF it wasn't for Bridget Abbott, this reporter would probably be lying passed out on Brisbane's riverfront somewhere.

This morning I decided to tag along with Bridget and her father, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, for a morning run in the Queensland capital.

With his reputation for fitness, it was ambitious to think I'd keep up - but it's not every day I get to pit myself against a triathlon competitor who is in the running to take leadership of the country.

Thankfully for me, Bridget was joining him on this run and kept a pace much more to my liking.

Reporter Lauren Novak (back left) tries to keep pace with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Picture: Gary Ramage. Source: News Limited

We set off about 7.10am on what was to be a 7km route, jogging up the street from the Hilton towards the Botanic Gardens on the riverfront.

As we left the lobby, Mr Abbott remarked that he had not seen me in the gym that morning - revealing this would be his second workout of the day.

The previous two days I had spied the Opposition Leader in the hotel gym, always accompanied by his security detail. We had chatted briefly about his workout regime and what it was like to see himself on the bank of television screens lining the gym wall.

Before I go much further, I should probably include some context. About four years ago I badly injured my foot and spent four months on crutches.

Needless to say, running isn't exactly my strong suit.

So as we emerged into the crisp morning air, I had a slight moment of panic, wondering if this was actually such a good idea. Too late now!

Tony and Bridget Abbott pass the Cathedral of St Stephen during their jog through Brisbane. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

At first the going was fairly easy, with regular stops as we waited to cross at traffic lights. But once the Botanic Gardens came into sight Mr Abbott noticeably increased the pace.

Up ahead ran a member of his Australian Federal Police security detail and a minder. I was by this point bringing up the rear with another AFP officer and minder. The AFP officers looked like they were running at about one tenth the pace they were capable of.

Cameramen and photographers had been leapfrogging the pack but peeled off around this point.

Bridget and her father chatted easily as boats passed on the water to the left.

I puffed self-consciously a few metres behind, trying to look like this was the kind of thing I did every day.

Mr Abbott was friendly, checking in to see if my foot was holding up. I informed him through heavy breaths that my foot was the least of my worries!

Passers-by called out to Mr Abbott "good luck" or "welcome to Brisbane" and some runners even overtook him.

The best reaction came from a young woman on a bike who hit the skids when she saw the familiar face approaching, narrowly missing him as her brakes squealed.

"Hey!" she yelled to him before turning to her companion: "That was Tony Abbott," she exclaimed.

There was no negative heckling.

News Corp Australia reporter Lauren Novak. Source: News Limited

Dressed in a black and white T-shirt and black shorts and sporting a blue cap, Mr Abbott seemed anxious to pick up the pace, often edging a few steps ahead of his daughter.

Thankfully for me, Bridget, dressed in matching white singlet top and black shorts, held her ground.

She was on to him, as he'd tried the tactic to spur her on during a previous run in Melbourne but "it doesn't work", she said.

Mr Abbott had dressed up for the occasion, comparatively. The previous mornings he had arrived in the gym in what appeared to be a white undershirt, his hair still slightly mussed from the pillow.

About halfway through the run we hit Brisbane's Story Bridge.

The incline was deceptively persistent and it was about here I started to wish I was covering Kevin Rudd's campaign instead, given his morning routine is a more manageable brisk walk.

It was a welcome relief when the Abbotts stopped at the top of Story Bridge for a father-daughter photo-op and I could catch my breath.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, with daughter Bridget, is well know for his intensive fitness regime. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

But there was no hanging around - Mr Abbott was always keen to keep moving, always on his toes.

His impatience was clear at one set of lights, as he almost abandoned the crossing because it was taking too long.

At times he would run ahead, including when a group of young men jogged past, one of whom struck up a conversation with the politician as he increased his stride to keep up.

However, he would always turn back to Bridget, usually with a big grin on his face. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

Then came four words I had been waiting to hear: "Only two blocks left," he told Bridget.

By this point I was a nice shade of beetroot, dripping with sweat and puffing harder than a bagpipe player. I was definitely feeling the burn. But my pride had taken me this far, I wasn't about to pike now.

As the hotel entrance came back into sight the intensity lifted and the pair made a last burst for the doors - a cynic might argue for the benefit of the camera crews awaiting Mr Abbott's return.

All up, the outing took about 50 minutes - the longest continuous run I've done since my foot operation. I was surprised to make it but tomorrow I may not be able to walk.

Less than 45 minutes later, Mr Abbott was fronting news cameras for a press conference at the hotel looking fresh and composed.

I'm still recovering.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott looked relaxed as he ran through the streets with daughter Bridget. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

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Cafe receipt labels customers 'f***ers'

The offending receipt. Picture: Naomi Bloomer Source: Supplied

A UK student is the latest unlucky patron to receive an insult along with her latte, after ordering coffee and cake at a London cafe.

Naomi Bloomer, 22, visited Grind Coffee Bar in Westfield Stratford with friends. When she went to pay, she found the bill addressed to "f***ers all come at once."

She went to the cashier expecting an apology, but was instead told "yeah we've been rammed" according to The Evening Standard.

Ms Bloomer complained to Westfield's customer service team three times, but said she was "fobbed off."

"I just wanted an apology, just a simple acknowledgment that this was wrong. The part that really gets to me is that they clearly don't care about customer service at all," The Standard reports.

The story quickly spread online with some people offended and others unphased.

Dave Dickinson, owner of the cafe apologised to Ms Bloomer.

"We strive for super-friendly antipodean customer service. So we apologise to the one person that didn't experience this," he said.

Do you work in a coffee shop? Tell us your customer gripes by emailing victoria.craw@news.com.au or tweeting @newscomauHQ

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Hird 'shattered' by AFL charges

Julian de Stoop rounds up the fall out from the charges handed down to Essendon on Monday night by the AFL.

ESSENDON coach James Hird has declared he will defend himself "vigorously" against the charges laid by the AFL last night.

Speaking outside his Toorak mansion just before 11am, Hird said he was "shattered" to be charged with bringing the game "I love and cherish and respect" into disrepute.

But the Bombers coach expressed relief that his players has not yet received infraction notices for doping.

SCROLL DOWN TO GET LIVE UPDATES ALL DAY AND JOIN THE DEBATE

"It's incredible, actually," he said.

"I think it's great the players have been freed and they've got a great sense of relief over that."

After months of speculation Essendon and four of its top officials including coach James Hird have been charged by the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute.

Hird said he and the other key club figured slapped with AFL charges - club doctor Bruce Reid, assistant coach Mark Thompson and football boss Danny Corcoran - would now look at their options for fighting the charges.

"We're obviously going to defend ourselves vigorously," he said.

CASE NOT CLOSED, SAYS ASADA

"We're gonna contend the charges, we're gonna make sure we're proven not guilty.

"I think that our footy club is a great footy club, as I said. We find it hard to believe we've been charged on the base of an interim report where no infraction notices have been handed down and we'll move on from there."

Essendon players feel vindicated after avoiding drugs charges from the AFL.

The besieged coach said he, Reid, Thompson and Corcoran would support each other through the process.

"The four of us are probably identified as (part of) the blackest day in Australian sport now, so we take that very seriously."

HIRD AND THE GAME TAKE A BEATING

The Bombers face being wiped from the finals after the club was charged by the AFL with bringing the game into disrepute.

Hird was also charged with conduct unbecoming over the club's 2011-12 supplements program.

Collingwood president predicts Essendon won't lose any competition points but says the AFL now has the power to come down hard on the parties charged.

But the four told the Herald Sun they would vigorously fight to clear their names.

As Essendon figures gathered at Hird's Toorak mansion last night, the coach declared: "Our football club is going to fight these charges."

HIRD STANDS GROUND NO MATTER WHAT

Reid added: "I am not going to stand aside and let my reputation of 40 years go down the drain. I will fight."

The AFL Commission will hear the charges on August 26.

Fox Sports looks at the toll the Essendon supplements saga has taken on coach James Hird.

Adrian Anderson told 3AW's Neil Mitchell this morning that the hearing should be open to the public.

"When people can scrutinise things and see them for themselves, they better understand the process," Anderson said. "I think it would help add public understanding if this thing was conducted in open.''

THE SCANDAL SO FAR...

Yesterday evening, AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon announced: "I have reviewed the evidence, carefully considered the matter and have come to the view that the parties have a case to answer.

"They are all charged with conduct that is unbecoming, or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the Australian Football League or to bring the game of football into disrepute, contrary to AFL Rule 1.6."

The AFL has formally charged Essendon for bringing the game into disrepute in relation to the club's 2011/12 supplements program.

But Dillon said that on current evidence no players would receive infraction notices for doping.

"Although WADA has declared AOD-9604 a banned substance, on the information currently before the AFL, there's no specific anti-doping regulation violation attributed to any individual player for the use of AOD-9604 or any other prohibited substance."

THE DRUGS AT THE CENTRE OF THE SAGA

The AFL can suspend officials, impose large fines and strip the club of premiership points and draft picks. If Essendon were stripped of points, another team - possibly Carlton, West Coast or even North Melbourne - could sneak into the final eight.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority continues to probe the Bombers, and the league said it could not rule out further charges if new information came to hand.

James Hird talks to the media outside his Toorak house this morning. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Essendon chairman Paul Little said the charged club leaders would all continue in their respective roles.

"To do otherwise before these matters are finalised would be to effectively impose a penalty in advance of a fair hearing and represent a denial of natural justice," Little said.

FOOTY'S BIGGEST SCANDALS

"Essendon welcomes the news that no infraction notices have been issued against any of its players and the AFL's statement that, on current evidence, no notices will be issued.

"We have maintained that no player has taken a performance-enhancing substance and that there was no breach of the AFL anti-doping code.

Essendon coach James Hird with assistant Mark Thompson. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

"We stand by this," he said.

"It is also important to be very clear that there is no doubt the club and individuals have made mistakes, and that our governance and people management had significant gaps."

WE FEEL VINDICATED - WATSON

Club captain Jobe Watson, speaking on the players' behalf, said they felt vindicated.

"None of us believed we'd done anything wrong in relation to the 2012 supplements program," Watson said. "The last six months have been an extremely tough time for us and our families and friends.

"And, while we've stayed focused on our footy, the speculation and innuendo has had an impact in some way on all of us," he said.

Watson previously stunned TV viewers by admitting in an interview he took a contentious anti-obesity drug after signing a consent form.

WHY I'M STANDING BY HIRD

Tim Watson last night said he expects the Bombers to "go down swinging'' and take the AFL to court over the charges.

"I think they've been defiant up to this point of time. I think that they are going to go down swinging,'' Watson told Channel 7.

"I don't think that they're going to be complicit in what the AFL may want in all this.

"I think they've gone this far, they'll want to go further

I DON'T WANT THIS ON MY TOMBSTONE

"These fellows may want to challenge the AFL in another forum and that is there prerogative as well, and I can see that playing out.''

Reid left Hird's at 10.40pm and said "it's been a long day".

He did not comment on the charges against him but said he planned to "read some reports" tomorrow as the club plotted their response.

Jon Anderson took your questions on the Essendon scandal this morning. Replay the chat below

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

News+ subscribers can get the latest Essendon updates LIVE here on Fox Sports News

GET ALL THE LATEST REACTION AND LIVE UPDATES BELOW

BOMBERS WILL FIGHT CHARGES

WHAT WAS HIRD READING?

POSTER BOY A MAN OF STEEL

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The worst workplace stuff-ups of all time

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott on day eight of the Federal Election campaign at the campaign launch Michael Sukkar. Source: Supplied

HAVING a bad day on the job?

Don't worry, we all make mistakes. Tony Abbott is, after all, the butt of all jokes. One word: suppository.

Here is a list of the biggest blunders while on the job. And if you have made a REALLY big mistake, you should report to us immediately!

WHAT NOT TO DO OVER THE PA

This is a classic example of what not to do when speaking on an intercom. A Reject Shop worker in NSW was delivering the closing store message when she swore over the PA system.

"I was in the middle of a closing call in the office and [a colleague] got on the PA and started heavy breathing over my call, so I stopped and said F**k off ... the shop was still open. Whoops. My bad."

The 'counselling session' report filed by The Reject Shop for swearing over the PA system. Source: Supplied

AVALANCHE!

After the record NZ snow dump early this season, staff at Mt Hutt, the South Island's largest ski resort, had to trigger avalanches to make the resort safe. Oops. One avalanche took out the base station of this chairlift, rendering the lift inoperable for the rest of season 2013.

The chairlift in need of a facelift. Source: Supplied

ANNOUNCER'S AWKWARD ASYLUM RANT

A Western Australian radio announcer made a racist remark about the "boat people" after he found out they were getting paid more than our pensioners. Problem is he didn't realise a town in the station's reach was where some asylum seekers were homed. Awkward!

One happened to hear what he said and confronted the station, writing an official letter of complaint. The outcome? "Because it was my first stuff up I got a slap on the wrist, but I do not talk about the boat people at all anymore," he told us. Wise choice.

COLLEGE FOOTBALLER'S WRONG-WAY RUN

Kent State's Andre Parker may be one of the most known names in American football - for all the wrong reasons. The linebacker ran an embarrassing 58 yards (53 metres) in the wrong direction during a game last year. But we're not sure who is dumber. Parker, or the dude from the opposition who tackled him.

BUNGLED BARCODING COSTS WOMAN'S DAY

After pulling an all-nighter to secure a three-day lead exclusive on the wedding of Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall, we can only imagine the despair felt by editor Fiona Connolly when she realised one important detail was missing on the magazine: the barcode. "It's a monumental mistake," said one mag insider. The blunder cost the mag a reported $300,000.

HELEN KAPALOS' 40 SECONDS OF DEAD AIR

Helen Kapalos has had her fair share of on screen gaffe's this year, like calling former Sunrise host Melissa Doyle "Melanie", but this one takes the cake. Watch how the Today Tonight host struggles to keep her composure as producers leave her high and dry on air.

During a tough night of live television, Today Tonight presenter Helen Kapalos managed to lose her way for a moment. Source: Seven Network

CAUGHT ON THE PERVE

The Macquarie Banker ogling Miranda Kerr photographs not realising the world was watching him on TV became a social media sensation overnight, but his sleazy habits caused an internal HR nightmare.

FLIGHT FAUX PAS

When a Sydney man first started with his travel agency, he accidentally booked a client on the wrong flights. He explains: "There's a lot of cities out there and it's hard to learn all the codes. I had a client wanting to go to San Jose, California. I was booking the flights but the city code for San Jose is SJC and I accidentally used the one for San Jose, Costa Rica, which is SJO.

No one ever noticed and it was only when the person was on the flight that they realised what was going on.

Once they landed they couldn't even get through customs because they didn't have any paperwork about where they were staying and so forth. Finally my manager was notified and was absolutely furious at me. We both had to go back into the office at 3am in the morning and had to get them back to California. They had to hang out in Costa Rica for six hours before they could catch another flight. When they got home there was much grovelling, discounts and bottles of wine!"

BRINGING NEW MEANING TO THE WORD 'FRESH'

When no matter how many pairs of eyes inspect your fresh food, sometimes defect products slip through the cracks and into your salad.

Continue the conversation via Twitter @the_mattyoung | @newscomauHQ

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Just another manic sundae

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd continues on the election campaign in Brisbane making a visit to Ekka where he served strawberry sundaes. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Limited

NO one kept count of the number of 'selfies' taken with Kevin Rudd but it must have been a record - even for a prime minister so enthusiastic about social media.

Mr Rudd was mobbed twice while campaigning in Queensland on Wednesday, once by screaming school kids in Cairns and then by punters at Brisbane's Ekka show.

ABBOTT HAD BEER GOGGLES ON, SAYS LATHAM

Sarrah le Marquand and Steve Lewis join VOA to discuss Tony Abbott's sex appeal gaffe

The prime minister began day 10 of the campaign at St Mary's Catholic College, where he announced Labor's $210 million plan to open 137 new trades training centres across the country.

Mr Rudd and wife Therese Rein toured the school's trades workshop, led by 19 year-old Lachlan White.

Today on day ten of the campaign Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, his daughter Bridget and Wyatt Roy visited the Caboolture Netball centre. Picture: Gary Ramage

The leader was escorted to the St Mary's oval for his first mob encounter of the day, as more than 100 students swarmed the prime minister for "selfies".

RUDD SLAMS SEXY REMARKS

"We love you," some yelled. "Kevin Rudd, yeah!"

The students organised themselves into a giant peace sign, to be filmed from a remote controlled helicopter flying above the oval to highlight world peace.

"When it comes to manifesting peace in our lives, it's really important we do it locally, we do it nationally, we do it right across the world," said Mr Rudd.

At the Ekka, indulgence was the order of the day.

ABBOTT'S 'DAGGY DAD' MOMENT

Mr Rudd got a crash course in making Strawberry sundaes at the show's famous stall and workers didn't hesitate to tell him to hurry up.

A walk through the grounds drew crowds 10 deep.

Many were trying to get a picture with Mr Rudd, who laughed after being snapped with a young boy carrying a blue Liberal National Party balloon.

It was Mr Rudd's third straight day of campaigning in Queensland - after stops in Mackay and Townsville - and demonstrates how important the Sunshine State is to Labor's re-election chances.

While campaigning in Cairns the prime minister also announced a deal with China Southern Airlines that will see the carrier run seasonal flights from Guangzhou to the Queensland resort town.

Cairns was safe, beautiful, close to the Barrier Reef and getting Labor's high speed national broadband network, he said.

"Put all that together, you are seriously cooking with gas when it comes to the China tourism market."
 

LOOK BACK AT THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF DAY TEN FROM TODAY'S ROLLING BLOG.

 - AAP

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The real cost of unprotected sex

The latest ad from Durex is more of a public service announcement to beware around children

Take that thing. Put it on. Use it. Live happily ever after. Source: News Limited

FELLAS, have you ever thought about shunning protection when things get a little steamy because, hey, what's the worst that could happen?

Allow us to tell you precisely what the worst thing is. Actually, let this video tell you. And believe us, it's bad.

The ad is for a well-known brand of condoms, and it makes perfectly clear the mental and physical horrors that await men who neglect to take their little latex buddy along for the ride.

Forget STDs. Fact is, if you fail to bring your rubber to the party, science has proven that children can result.

This, as the ad shows, is a catastrophe of biblical proportions. Have children and they will trash your golf clubs. They will leave toys and sharp objects lying around that make your back yard more booby-trapped than an Afghani poppy field. And they will spill hot coffee on your crotch.

Ouch.

There's a lot of groin pain in this ad. Which is kind of ironic, given all of this starts with pretty much the opposite of pain in the same region.

Anyway. Just wear a condom, fellas. We all know the downstairs benefits, but think of the upstairs health benefits too. Peace-of mind is an under-rated commodity.

* The author would like to point out that he has two children whom he loves very much, except when they hide the remote and turn the TV to the cartoon channel while he's trying to watch the football.

** Actually, the author kind of likes watching cartoons too. But anyway.

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'Such hurtful lies': Pietersen

Hot Spot and the DRS is again the centre centre of attention after KP fires up

KEVIN Pietersen has described as "hurtful lies" claims that he has attempted to beat Hot Spot by putting silicon on his bat edges.

England's most dangerous batsman is furious that a Channel Nine television report has made the suggestion to explain why hotspot did not show a mark on his bat when Pietersen was given out caught behind on the last day of the third Test at Old Trafford.

"I am never afraid of getting out! If I nick it, I'll walk.. To suggest I cheat by covering my bat with silicon infuriates me," Pietersen tweeted.

The Hot Spot image of the contentious Kevin Pietersen dismissal in the third Test. Source:

"Horrible journalism yet again! My name brought up in hotspot crisis suggesting I use silicon to prevent nicks showing! Such hurtful lies.

"How stupid would I be to try & hide a nick when it could save me on an LBW appeal, like in 1st innings where hotspot showed I nicked it.."

England fast bowler Graham Onions has strongly denied that he or any of his team mates have tried to cheat hotspot.

Pietersen's second-innings dismissal is reportedly in the spotlight.

ALLEGATIONS FURTHER SOUR ASHES SERIES

"It's crazy. It just doesn't sound right and it isn't right. None of the England lads would use anything on their bats, " Onions said.

"Kevin (Pietersen) is a fair guy and the accusations are wrong. That's all I can say."

Michael Clarke was bemused by the allegations and insisted not Australia player attempted to cheat hotspot.

The Australian captain claimed he has never heard a conversation involving players, bat manufactures, or anyone else which addressed trying to beat hot spot in any way.

WE'RE NOT CHEATING HOT SPOT

"I find the accusation quite funny," Clarke said before training yesterday.

"I can't talk for everybody but if it is the case we are talking about cheating, I tell you there is not one person in the Australian changerooms who is a cheat.

"That's not the way we play cricket.

Usman Khawaja is give out inexplicably after a DRS review.

 

 

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Rudd offers Gillard campaign spot

The Prime Minister said the former prime minister would be welcome to campaign with him whenever she liked to help him win on September 7. Courtesy: 7.30 Report

KEVIN Rudd has invited Julia Gillard to join him on the hustings.

The Prime Minister said the former prime minister would be welcome to campaign with him whenever she liked to help him win on September 7.

"Julia would be welcome to participate in the campaign in any way she chose fit," Mr Rudd told ABC's 7.30 program.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been invited to join Kevin Rudd on the campaign trail. Source: News Limited

"And as you know, when I've been asked about Julia in recent days, I've been very direct and very frank about the positive role she's played in our party and the contributions she's made to disability care policy, education policy and the measurement of academic standards of schools - great achievements."

Mr Rudd's invitation during this campaign follows the 2010 campaign when he was accused of being the source of damaging leaks against Ms Gillard.

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... And we can't let this one slide

Perfectly normal behaviour. Photo: Channel Seven Source: Supplied

I EXPECTED Channel Seven's SlideShow to be the peerless, beautifully pointless lovechild of Wipeout and Thank God You're Here - mindless slapstick comedy on the one hand and witty improvisation on the other.

That assumption was bang on for about 10 minutes of the hour-long program. Ten measly, hopelessly glorious minutes. Beyond that, exactly zero per cent of SlideShow actually consisted of people sliding.

The SlideShow itself was nothing but a sideshow.

Most of the program was devoted to party games of the sort you'd expect to find in any improvisation lineup. The contestants mimed, cast shadow puppets and played a basic form of Pictionary, all the while managing to stay needlessly upright.

The show kept hopping from one semi-entertaining mini-game to the next like a caffeine-pumped frog when it should have been focusing on the main event.

"There's nothing funnier at the end of the day, no matter how smart we pretend we are - there's nothing funnier than someone falling over," SlideShow host Grant Denyer told news.com.au reporter Charlotte Willis before the program aired.

See, Denyer gets it! The show was supposed to be about people falling over. In the end, it was just a bunch of admittedly funny people trying to guess what their teammates were acting out.

There were some wonderfully lame moments mixed in, such as when Kiwi stand-up comic Cal Wilson introduced teammate "Johnny Ruffo who's rather buffo", or when Toby Truslove and Anh Do became entangled on the floor, desperately trying to form the shape of "a little n" without humping, sorry, bumping up the show's PG rating.

And when the floor did tilt as promised, SlideShow was memorable. Singer Johnny Ruffo leaped through hula hoops in a one-piece gymnast's uniform. Who wouldn't want to see that? Then mock groom Anh, bridezilla Tiffiny Hall and hapless best man Toby kept sliding out the door on the side of their set.

If only the contestants had spent the whole hour sliding around on those slanted floors. At 22.5 degrees, "specifically and scientifically the angle at which a human being can only just stand up", there was just enough leeway for the comics to keep their heads but enough stress to ensure they were puffing through the whole ordeal.

"On paper it's stupid, it doesn't make sense, how could this work?" Denyer said. "It's ridiculous, but you know what? It's been the most fun show I've ever had, no doubt. I've never laughed so loud."

"It sounds dumb, it is dumb. It kind of just says you know what, chill out, we'll take your mind off things for an hour and we certainly won't educate you but you'll have a lot of fun."

SlideShow is wonderfully self-assured. It's intended as pure entertainment and nothing more. The show certainly does entertain, but the first episode failed to meet our expectations, and we simply can't let that slide.

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Offspring fans reeling after death

Nina (Asher Keddie) faces the devastating news. Source: Supplied

SPOILER ALERT: OFFSPRING fans have had their worst fears realised with the death of anaesthetist Patrick Reid on the Channel 10 drama.

Patrick, played by Matthew Le Nevez, is the partner of Nina Proudman (Asher Keddie) and father of her unborn child.

Patrick has been a favourite with viewers who have taken to social media over the past week to vent their dismay at his possible passing.

Before and during the episode, a News Corp Australia reader blog poll found that more than 1300 readers did not suspect Patrick to be the one who would die.

41 per cent thought it would be Billie (Kat Stewart), followed by Patrick at 38 per cent, and then Jimmy who got 22 per cent of the vote once viewers realised he had a much more minor role in the episode.

Even Australian celebrities were glued to the show as it went to air, and the stars of the show Matthew Le Nevez and Lachy Hulme took to Twitter after it aired.

Viewers expressed their shock and sadness after losing Patrick as they were left in tears, eating their favourite comfort foods of wine, cheese, chocolate, cupcakes and more.

Viewers cried as Nina got the news about Patrick's surgery.

Speculation continued as many thought there would be another twist to the plot.

"Remember it's going to make tv history...there could be a twist," Jsmith wrote.

Some even turned off the TV as they could not watch anymore.

"I can't watch it. Who died and how?," Jamm wrote.

Many were heartbroken, as they felt Nina's pain of losing the love of her life before their baby was due.

The death episode will most likely be a ratings bonanza for Ten, despite many saying on social media that they would not watch the show now that Patrick has died.

The hashtag #Offspring was also trending on Twitter.

In a reader blog poll, 57 per cent they thought it was the worst ending ever for them.

Le Nevez says he understands that viewers will be grieving Patrick's passing.

"I love Patrick," Le Nevez says. "I've lived in his shoes for three seasons and I am proud of the fans' connection with him."

Ten had promoted the fact that Patrick, Nina's sister Billie (Kat Stewart) or brother Jimmy (Richard Davies) were set to be killed off.

Patrick collapsed and was rushed to hospital by Nina after what had seemed a relatively minor incident with a car.

Patrick was knocked to the ground while crossing the road on his way to Nina's baby shower. He hit his head in the accident and was dazed and sitting in the gutter when he called Nina.

Nina comes to Patrick's aid after he is hit by a car in Offspring. Source: Supplied

Things quickly turned worse as Patrick's speech slurred and he then slumped unconscious in Nina's car and was rushed to hospital.

Patrick was sent straight to surgery with swelling and bleeding of the brain.

"We did everything we could but he didn't survive the procedure," doctors told a distraught Nina.

Nina and Kate are told the devastating news in Offspring Source: Supplied

Despite being pronounced dead, Patrick remained on a respirator because he had signed up to be an organ donor.

The final scene of tonight's Offspring showed a devastated Nina and Patrick's sister Kate (Kate Jenkinson) saying their goodbyes for the last time.

"I'd known about Patrick's passing for months and I have to say I was a little nervous leading into filming it," Le Nevez says.

"That grieving scene was one of the most surreal moments of my life. It is very hard to explain. I could hear Ash and Kate grieving over me, yet I couldn't move or open my eyes for the entire two hours we had to shoot that scene.

"It sounded horrific and truthful and I am so proud of both of them."

The character of Patrick, played by Matthew Le Nevez, has been a favourite with viewers. Source: Supplied

Next week's Season four finale of Offspring will feature Patrick's funeral as well as the birth of Nina's child.

In a split second, Nina's world has turned upside down - from joyful anticipation to utter disaster.

The stage has been set for next year's fifth season of Offspring with Nina raising her child alone.

"I hope this episode will linger in the minds and hearts of all the show's loyal viewers for years to come," Keddie says. "It certainly will for me."

Le Nevez is currently filming ABC telemovie Parer's War, which tells the story of Australia's first Academy Award winner Damien Parer but Offspring is still in his heart.

"Working with Ash has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life," Le Nevez says.

"She kept me on my toes because she doesn't suffer fools and her passion alone has elevated Offspring to what it is.

"I'm a much better actor for working with her and grateful for every scene we shot together.

"I was sad for the character of Patrick (dying) but excited for the show's future."

Car-related deaths have been a recurring theme in recent Aussie dramas. Packed to the Rafters' lost Melissa Rafter (Zoe Ventoura) in a car accident, House Husbands character Nicola Panas (Leah de Niese) died after being hit by a car, and Tangle's Vince Kovac (Ben Mendelsohn) also died after being struck by a car.

Read more reaction from our blog with readers after watching Patrick's death on Offspring below:

NOTABLE AUSSIE TV DEATHS

Love My Way (2005) - Viewers were in shock after Frankie's (Claudia Karvan) eight-year-old daughter Lou (Alex Cook) was running through a park when she died suddenly from cardiomyopathy.

House Husbands (2013) - Nicola (Leah de Niese) had just been reunited with former hubby Justin (Firass Dirani) when she was struck by a car after crossing the road to check on an old washing machine.

Packed to the Rafters (2010)- Zoe Ventoura wanted to try her luck in Hollywood which meant producers had to kill off Mel in a car accident. Hubby Ben (Hugh Sheridan) and more than 2 million Aussie viewers were in tears.

A Country Practice (1984) - The death of Molly Jones (Anne Tenney) after a traumatic 10-week battle with leukaemia was one of Australia's most watched TV events.

Neighbours (1993) - On screen, beloved Ramsay Street labrador Bouncer, who had just fathered puppies, headed to the country with Doug and Pam Willis. Devastated fans learned that in real life Bouncer died of cancer thirteen weeks after filming his final scenes.

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Teen kills family, then goes to school

Thirteen-year-old Marcelo Pesseghini with his parents Luiz and Andreia, whom he is believed to have killed before taking his own life. Source: Facebook

A BRAZILIAN teenager killed his police officer parents, his grandmother and his great-aunt, and then, after a full day at school, took his own life.

The five bodies were found before dawn on Tuesday inside two houses located on the same property in northern Sao Paulo, they said.

"Everything seems to indicate that (13-year-old) Marcelo (Pesseghini) killed his parents and relatives," Itagiba Franco, of the Sao Paulo Civilian Police's homicide department, told a press conference.

Forensic examinations were under way but police said the teen's parents were killed late Sunday or in the early hours of Monday.

Mr Franco said Marcelo had told a friend he wanted to kill his parents and become a hitman.

"He always told me he wanted to become a hired killer. He had a plan to kill his parents during the night, so that no one would notice and escape in the parents' car and live in an abandoned place," police quoted the unidentified friend as saying.

The teen was found dead, with his father's police-issue service revolver nearby, Sao Paulo police commander Benedito Roberto Meira said.

A second gun, a .32 caliber revolver, was found inside the backpack the teenager had brought to school on Monday, Mr Meira added, saying "there was no sign that someone broke into the house".

The police commander ruled out "an act of revenge by a criminal group" against the teenager's father and mother.

For help with emotional difficulties, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au
For help with depression, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or at www.beyondblue.org.au
The SANE Helpline is 1800 18 SANE (7263) or at www.sane.org
 

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Notorious murder-spree woman in crash

Undated photo of mass murderer Charles Starkweather and then girlfriend Caril Fugate (14), who went on a murder spree that left 11 people dead. Source: Supplied

A WOMAN who was one of two teenage participants in a killing spree that left 11 people dead 55 years ago has been critically injured in a crash.

Caril Ann Clair, 70, of Stryker, Ohio, was critically hurt and her 81-year-old husband killed late on Monday in a single-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 69 in Calhoun County, the sheriff's department said. It said Frederick. A. Clair was at the wheel of the SUV when it went off the road and overturned.

Caril Clair was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. The hospital said it couldn't provide information on her on Tuesday night.

As a 14-year-old, then-Caril Fugate and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Charlie Starkweather, went on a killing spree in Nebraska and Wyoming in 1957-58 that claimed the lives of Fugate's mother, stepfather, 2-year-old sister and eight others. Starkweather was executed, while Fugate left prison in 1976.

The events inspired the fictionalised Terrence Malick movie Badlands starring Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen in 1973.  Bruce Springsteen sang about Starkweather and Miss Fugate on his Nebraska album.

The killings began in late 1957 with the death of 21-year-old gas station attendant Robert Colvert, who was robbed, abducted and shot to death. His body was left on a Nebraska country road.

Two months later, Lincoln, Nebraska-area authorities found the bodies of Marion Bartlett, 57; and his 35-year-old wife, Velda, in an outbuilding. Their 2-year-old daughter, Betty Jean, had been clubbed to death with the butt of a gun and her body stuffed in a cardboard box. Missing were Velda Bartlett's 14-year-old daughter by a previous marriage, Caril Fugate, and her boyfriend, Starkweather.

Cleveland attorney Linda Battisti told the Battle Creek Enquirer that she has known Caril Clair for years and called her "resilient, courageous and a brave woman. I have always said I have been humbled in her presence. She is incredibly funny and very loving and very giving."

Ms Battisti said on Tuesday that she had just learned of the accident and, "I am just devastated about this." She said she has studied the case against her friend and believes she was innocent of the crimes.

"What a horrible miscarriage of justice that has been done to her. I have always believed in her," Ms Battisti said.

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