Attorney to accuser in Kane case withdraws

Thomas J. Eoannou, the lawyer for the woman who accused Blackhawks player Patrick Kane of rape, announced on Wednesday, September 23 that he will no longer be representing his client. Eoannou said his decision was based on the speculation of how an evidence bag which contained the victim's rape kit ended up on the front porch of her mother's home.

"This evening information was provided to my office which established misrepresentations were made to me about the facts concerning the discovery of the rape evidence bag, " Eoannou explained. "In keeping with my ethical obligations as an officer of the court, I can no longer represent me client, and I am withdrawing effective immediately."

On Wednesday, Eoaunnou had announced to reporters that the rape kit containing evidence from the night of the alleged assault appeared on his client's mother's porch. This compromised the evidence, the results of which had been released days earlier. No trace of Kane's DNA was found.

Eoannou claimed that he does still stand by the claims made by his previous client's allegations against Kane, who was accused of sexually assaulting her on Aug. 2.

A video of the press conference can be found here

Summary leads

1. A tabby cat was found by at the Denver International Airport yesterday after being missing for three weeks. Crews have been searching for the cat since Dec. 28, when its owner discovered it was missing.

2. George Calderon, 23, died on Sunday while being driven by an unnamed driver on 35th Ave. after the car went off the road and in to a canal. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

(This one had no date so I made one up since you always have to have the ‘when.’)

3. A riot broke out on Friday at the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony concert at the Warner Grand Theatre. One man, whose name has not been released, was badly injured and another man has been arrested.

4. Nineteen-year-old Army Specialist Collin Schmockel died Monday while on patrol in Ar Ramadi after a rocket-propelled grenade hit his patrol. 

5. A fire engulfed the home of a couple living at 4912 Felicia Drive Saturday morning after a smoldering dish towel was put in the trash and the couple left their home. 

6. Ed Lorenz passed away Tuesday night Airway Lanes bowling alley at 69 years old. As Lorenz walked up to take his turn he clutched his chest and fell over. 

Ten pounds light

Samantha Wyatt, from Fort Mitchell, Ky., has been in the Army National Guard for three and a half years. Being a woman and standing at only 4' 8" has led her to experience her fair share of prejudice in the military.

Wyatt explained how many of the sergeants who had been in the military for 20+ years view women as being weak and believe the only positions women should have in the military should be as nurses. She recalled one specific instance where she was counted out because of her gender.

"I had one sergeant in my unit who was really against having females in his platoon. Every time we would go on a ruck march he would tell us, 'Don't pack a full ruck sack, you're only going to fall out.'...I always packed a full ruck sack because that's what's expected of you in the military."

Wyatt and her unit were being led on a 12-mile ruck march. A ruck march, also known as a loaded march, is a quick-paced march over a certain distance while carrying a heavy load.

Part way through the ruck march her sergeant fell out and could not complete the march. Wyatt was the first female to finish that particular ruck march. At the end, each platoon has their gear weighed and that is how they're graded. Wyatt had the full 50 pounds of gear, while her sergeant turned out to only have 40 pounds of gear. "It was ironic because he tells everyone not to pack a full kit."

This is not the first time Wyatt has experienced prejudgement due to her gender and she knows it won't be the last. "That kind of prejudice is something that I feel like females are always going to have to deal with...females have to prove themselves in the military."

The Girl Behind the Lens

From the time she was in elementary school, Brook Joyner has had a camera in her hand. Growing up in Atlanta, GA, where there is no shortage of the arts, fostered Joyner’s photographic endeavor. She won her first photo contest at seven years old and what began as a casual interest quickly snowballed in to a passion for photography. Beginning with botanical photography, she began to explore different areas of picture making, even dabbling in film and dark room processes. The subject matter that most interested Joyner was people. Taking pictures of friends evolved in to photographing interesting people on the street. In her second year of high school Joyner joined the yearbook staff where she eventually became the photo editor. During her senior year, Joyner became a self-employed portrait photographer. Although she enjoyed family and senior portraits, she always appreciated the depth that could be produced in a candid image. The idea of capturing moments and telling stories resonated with her. This and her interest in hearing peoples' stories were determining factors when it came time for the ever-daunting college decision. Despite having a variety of other interests including music, art, cross country, soccer and criminal justice, photo became her first priority.

Joyner is currently a sophomore studying photojournalism and Western Kentucky University, which is widely regarding as on of the the top universities for photojournalism in the country. Joyner continues to gain new skills pertaining to her field in and out of the classroom. She is on the photo staff for both the award-winning College Heights Herald and the 17-time Pacemaker recipient, The Talisman. Her variety of interests allow her to bring a different perspective to photography. In the future Joyner hopes to work on projects that address social issues while telling personal stories that people can connect to.