Latest news with #EJC
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Raffles Institution overcome setbacks to beat Eunoia Junior College, retain A Division boys' softball title
Raffles Institution softball captain Raoul Gunalan (centre), lifting the trophy after winning the National School Games softball A Division boys final against Eunoia Junior College at Jurong East Softball Field on May 20, 2025. ST PHOTO: Brian Teo SINGAPORE – Despite encountering speed bumps along the way, Raffles Institution (RI) stepped up a gear when it mattered, beating Eunoia Junior College (EJC) 6-1 in the National School Games A Division boys' softball final at the Jurong East Softball Field on May 20. It was RI's fourth consecutive win in the finals against the same opponents, since the NSG returned to full swing in 2022 after the Covid-19 pandemic. RI captain Raoul Gunalan said: 'We have come a long way. I've played with some players since Sec 1, and some even from primary school. It's an honour to play alongside them and I'm filled with gratitude to be able to call them my teammates. 'I watch them play in awe and I'm proud to see the team grow as players and people, and I can't thank them enough. 'We admire their (EJC) resilience and desire to keep showing who they are. Props to them for putting up a good performance, even as I tip my hat to my teammates.' Raoul had to sit out the final after injuring his thumb in the 10-0 win over Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)/Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACSI/ACJC) on May 15. The journey to the final was riddled with challenges – RI had to play the extra game against ACSI/ACJC after losing 9-8 to EJC in the May 13 play-off between the top two teams from the preliminary round. In that defeat, they were without first-choice pitcher Kevin Liu, who was hospitalised with stomach flu two days earlier. Kevin returned to the diamond for the final, and while he admitted to not being at his best with his pitching, he produced a good hit while batting in the bottom of the third inning to send two of his teammates home. RI then ran riot with six runs to seal their four-peat. Kevin, who lost 4kg due to illness, said he had to cope with the responsibility of being the only pitcher for his team this season. He added: 'The last time I played against EJC, I had almost a perfect game, but seeing them start to contact my pitches today really stressed me out. 'My team really helped me out when they started hitting, which took a weight off my shoulders. When it was my turn to bat (in the third inning), it felt good to see it go far. After that, I felt more relaxed and could focus on my pitching.' After two scoreless innings, RI's blitz in the third put their opponents under pressure and EJC could only score one consolation run in the fourth inning. Another shutout in the fifth and final inning gave the defending champions the win in front of 150 students, parents and teachers who packed the bleachers. While the EJC team shed tears of disappointment after the game, there were still lessons to be learnt in defeat. EJC captain Risdon Toh, who stepped up to the mound with regular pitcher Ephraim Wang out injured, noted that he almost stopped playing two years ago owing to the pressure of competitive sport. Thanking EJC's teacher-in-charge Trevor Tay and coach Seow Chin Keong, he said: 'Everyone worked hard to get us to where we are today. 'Being in EJC and working with such a nice and supportive coach has helped me rediscover the passion for softball. He taught me that we should play for the love of the game and not because of other people's expectations. 'Even though this loss is hard for the Year Twos because we are graduating, I'm confident the Year Ones will learn from the painful lesson to come back stronger and hopefully take the championship next year.' Seow, who has coached EJC since 2023, added: 'Winning is something we all want, but sometimes we learn better from failure. These boys have shown dedication, hard work and fighting spirit, and they did their best against strong opponents. They did well in every inning except one, hit Kevin's pitches many times, and I liked that they didn't give up. 'I hope they can continue to contribute to the softball community, and let this defeat be a springboard to go up to the next level.' David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Hwa Chong navigate major injury blow to win back-to-back A Div girls' badminton titles
SINGAPORE – When Joelle Chee injured herself in training before the National School Games A Division girls' badminton semi-finals on May 6, a sense of dismay swept through Hwa Chong Institution (HCI). The school's hopes of retaining their title suddenly appeared in peril, given her status as a national team player who had won the BWF Iberdrola Spanish Junior Open in March. The 18-year-old recalled: 'I did a jump smash and when I pushed off (the ground), I tore my heel muscle. I'll be in a cast for one to two months.' Despite the setback, Hwa Chong rallied and went on to beat Nanyang Junior College 5-0 in the semi-finals. And on May 8, her teammates again rose to the occasion by defeating Eunoia Junior College (EJC) 3-2 in the final at Choa Chu Kang Sports Centre to seal back-to-back titles. Sonia Pho got Hwa Chong off to a bright start, beating Chloe Jng 22-20, 21-17 before the pair of Li Zheng Yan and Qiu Yuxi defeated Eleanor Chan and Nikita Pratap 21-13, 24-22 to extend their lead. However, EJC narrowed the deficit through second singles Amanda Boh, who downed Chang Hui Nee 21-8, 21-17 to up the stakes. And in the second doubles match, EJC were on a roll, as Elisabeth Kam and Louanne Tan took the opening set against Khloe Lim and Michelle Zan. But national player Michelle raised her game in timely fashion to carve out a 19-21, 21-13, 21-16 comeback victory and help Hwa Chong retain their maiden title from 2024. Michelle Zan (left) and Khloe Lim (right) celebrating after winning their second doubles match. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Michelle, 18, knew she had to step up after they lost the first set. 'They (EJC) were basically just hitting to my partner so I had to take the initiative, and use my experience from the national team to guide my partner, who is one year younger,' she said. Captain Yuxi, 18, was very proud to lead Hwa Chong to their second title in as many years. 'Our team is full of very strong players. Although our line-up wasn't the best today, we still pulled through.' Joelle, who watched her team from the sidelines, added: 'I think they managed to cope very well and I'm very proud of them as they didn't make (my injury) affect them. Even without me, they're still as strong.' Joelle Chee (wearing ankle brace) of Hwa Chong Institution could not be involved in the final but was happy to see her team attain victory. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG In the inconsequential last match, EJC's Jessie Lua overcame Meiya Bayraktar 21-19, 21-16 to narrow the overall score to 3-2 in what was a first A Div girls' final for the school. EJC Vice-captain Elisabeth Kam said: 'I feel that today we definitely exceeded our expectations. Losing 3-2 shows our efforts and that all our extra training and the hard work that we've put in has made us come this far.' 'After our semi-finals, a few of us got minor injuries here and there from overwork,' said Elisabeth, 18, who added that she and partner Louanne were not in 'good condition' but they did not give up. Elisabeth Kam (behind, in blue) admitted fatigue played a factor in their defeat but did not have any regrets over the result. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Meanwhile, in the A Div boys' decider which took place on the adjacent court, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) came from 2-0 down to defeat Raffles Institution 3-2 in dramatic fashion, putting an end to their five-year final losing streak against the same opponents. ACS (I) captain Wong Zee Hern, who won the third match to spark the fightback, said: 'I felt that I gave my team a big motivational push to keep fighting for the next two matches.' 'This means a lot to me. This is my last NSG and as captain I feel really happy. We've been getting silver medals for the past five years so I'm really happy to be able to win my first-ever gold medal,' added the 18-year-old. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Indiana has a chance to prevent wrongful convictions
For 25 years, Leon Benson remained locked up in an Indiana state prison — including 11 in solitary confinement — for a murder he didn't commit while his young children grew up without a father and the real killer remained at large. Half his life was stolen largely because of a case of mistaken identity in the 1998 execution-style shooting of a 25-year-old white man in Indianapolis. Benson, who is Black, did not meet the vague description of a dark-skinned, clean-shaven man provided by a white woman after witnessing the slaying from 150 feet away in the dark. Despite his light skin and facial hair, Benson was later erroneously identified by the woman as the shooter in a police lineup — which could have been prevented if the proper eyewitness identification procedures had been in place. As the director of the Notre Dame Exoneration Justice Clinic, I've represented clients like Benson, who had their liberty stolen from them due to a wrongful conviction. Mistaken eyewitness identifications have been a contributing factor in approximately 3,600 (or 70%) wrongful convictions in the U.S. overturned by post-conviction DNA evidence. When we look more granularly in Indiana, more than a third of wrongful convictions – 36% – involved a mistaken eyewitness identification. So far, this equates to innocent Hoosiers, including Benson, losing a combined 245 years of freedom for crimes they did not commit. As EJC director and throughout my career as a federal and state prosecutor, I've seen firsthand how erroneous identifications occur. Eyewitnesses sometimes see things incorrectly in suboptimal circumstances or have lapses in memory. Unscientific police procedures can also play a role, improperly pressuring or influencing witnesses into identifying a suspect in a police lineup or photo spread, or inadvertently implying through comments or body language about someone's guilt. Indiana lawmakers can pass legislation that improves eyewitness identification procedures, joining 30 other jurisdictions nationwide that have put into place guardrails to protect the innocent and ensure that the actual perpetrator is held accountable. Senators Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, and Sue Glick, R-LaGrange, have authored legislation establishing standard procedures for conducting police lineups and photo spreads. These procedures, which are corroborated by over 30 years of peer-reviewed research and recognized by groups like the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the National Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. Department of Justice, include: Double-blind administration of a lineup where neither the witness nor the person administering the lineup, usually a law enforcement officer, knows the identity of the suspect, effectively preventing any unintentional cues or biases from influencing the witness's identification decision. Witness instructions that include telling the witness the perpetrator may not be present in the lineup, that they are not required to identify a suspect and the investigation will continue with or without an identification. Proper fillers, meaning non-suspect photos and lineup participants are selected based on their resemblance to the description of the suspect provided by the witness. The suspect should not noticeably stand out from among others in the lineup. Witness confidence statements should be made immediately following the lineup that articulates the witness' level of confidence in the identification. These are not only good practices; they are necessary and easy-to-implement procedures that will go a long way toward protecting innocent people and minimizing wrongful convictions. Had these procedures been in place, there's little doubt that Benson would not have been deprived of decades of his freedom. His conviction primarily relied on erroneous eyewitness identification that violated the Core Four principles. Thankfully, Benson was exonerated in 2023 after the Marion County Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed his case and discovered not only evidence of his innocence, but also the identity of the real perpetrator. Now, Indiana must do the right thing so no other Hoosier will ever lose a day of their freedom due to mistaken identity. Wouldn't it be better if we could prevent wrongful convictions such as these from happening in the first place rather than robbing anyone of precious time? Jimmy Gurulé is the Director of the Exoneration Justice Clinic and Professor of Law at Notre Dame. A career prosecutor, he also previously served as under secretary for enforcement in the U.S. Treasury Department during the George W. Bush administration. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Leon Benson's wrongful conviction should not be repeated | Opinion
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Leonard Cohen's family launch new lawsuit over ‘swindling' of fortune
Leonard Cohen's children have accused the singer's former lawyer of forging documents that allowed millions to be 'siphoned' from the family estate. Adam and Lorca Cohen filed a lawsuit accusing lawyer Reeve Chudd of malpractice for forging documents to allow their Canadian-born father's manager, Robert Kory, to be named as a trustee of their father's estate. The lawsuit accuses Ervin Cohen & Jessup (ECJ), where Mr Chudd was previously a partner, of 'turning a blind eye to Kory's self-dealing and covering up its own wrongdoing'. In 2010 Cohen 'purportedly' replaced his children and his former partner Anjani Thomas with Mr Kory as the sole successor of his trust. He then revoked this decision in 2016 and reinstated his children and Ms Thomas as successor trustees, according to the suit. Shortly after Cohen's death in 2016, EJC were alleged to have forged trust documents to make it appear Mr Jory was the sole successor. In 2022 the Cohen family successfully sued to remove him from his role. The family accused Mr Kory of forgery in 2023. He was quoted as blaming Mr Chudd and claimed he 'modified a document unbeknownst to anybody'. The lawsuit alleges that the law firm's malpractice 'made it possible for Kory to dissipate the trust's assets through self-dealing'. It states that between 2018 and 2023 Mr Kory charged the trust an estimated $18.2million (£14.4million) to pay himself, his businesses and family members. It is alleged this included $650,000 in rent for his law offices, car expenses, and a first-class trip to South Africa that Mr Kory took with his wife to view the Mandela archives. The lawsuit includes a letter from Cohen to Mr Kory in which he says the situation is 'out of control' and asks how much money he has 'taken away'. It also includes a deposition from Mr Chudd in which he admits to removing a page from Cohen's signed trust after his death and replacing it with one naming Mr Kory as trustee. It claims the EJC was paid more than $2.6millon in legal fees after Cohen's death. The lawsuit calls for 'restitution' for an amount to be proved in court, which it claims exceeds $25million. The Telegraph has contacted Mr Kory and ECJ for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
17-02-2025
- Telegraph
Leonard Cohen's family launch new lawsuit over ‘swindling' of fortune
Leonard Cohen 's children have accused the singer 's former lawyer of forging documents that allowed millions to be 'siphoned' from the family estate. Adam and Lorca Cohen filed a lawsuit accusing lawyer Reeve Chudd of malpractice for forging documents to allow their Canadian-born father's manager, Robert Kory, to be named as a trustee of their father's estate. The lawsuit accuses Ervin Cohen & Jessup (ECJ), where Mr Chudd was previously a partner, of 'turning a blind eye to Kory's self-dealing and covering up its own wrongdoing'. In 2010 Cohen 'purportedly' replaced his children and his former partner Anjani Thomas with Mr Kory as the sole successor of his trust. He then revoked this decision in 2016 and reinstated his children and Ms Thomas as successor trustees, according to the suit. Shortly after Cohen's death in 2016, EJC were alleged to have forged trust documents to make it appear Mr Jory was the sole successor.
