Latest news with #EmilyClark
The Australian
2 days ago
- The Australian
Mark Ludbrook accused of murdering friend Autumn Baker with steak knife
A woman was knifed to death after attempting to stop a friend from stabbing himself in the stomach while in a drug-affected state, a court has been told. Partially paralysed, Mark Ludbrook, 53, appeared in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday using a motorised wheelchair as his trial over the death of Autumn Baker began. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, with his defence barrister Emily Clark telling the jury Mr Ludbrook was not acting consciously, voluntarily or deliberately when he caused her death. Outlining the prosecution case, crown prosecutor Jim Shaw said it was alleged Mr Ludbrook murdered Ms Baker by stabbing her twice in the chest with a steak knife in the afternoon of August 3, 2023. He told the court it was the crown's case the pair were friends, with Ms Baker arriving at his Hoppers Crossing home about 12.55pm for an unannounced social visit. Mark Ludbrook allegedly killed Autumn Baker with a steak knife. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie But Mr Shaw said he expects Mr Ludbrook's carer, Amber Davidson, to give evidence he was acting 'irrationally' and 'strangely' from earlier that morning. He told the court Mr Ludbrook had been diagnosed the year prior with a rare neurological condition affecting the spine, transverse myelitis, leaving him mostly wheelchair-bound and in need of carers. 'He needed them because he could only walk a few steps at a time,' the prosecutor said. Mr Shaw alleged Mr Ludbrook had turned to the illicit drugs ketamine and eticyclidine, or PCE, to manage his chronic pain and had taken PCE earlier that day. Mr Shaw said he expects Ms Davidson will give evidence she watched Mr Ludbook undress, walk naked through the house and into the backyard 'where he continued to behave irrationally'. 'Ms Davidson was concerned; she took a couple of short videos of him standing in the backyard naked and saying strange things,' he told the jury. The incident allegedly unfolded at Mr Ludbrook's Hoppers Crossing home. Picture NewsWire / Aaron Francis A short time after Ms Baker arrived, Mr Shaw said it was alleged Mr Ludbrook took a steak knife from the kitchen draw and walk back to his bedroom. He said Ms Davidson followed out of concern, and found the accused man lying, still naked, 'poking himself in the stomach'. The jury was told the two women attempted to stop Mr Ludbook and Ms Davidson stepped out to call triple-0, only to hear Ms Baker scream. Mr Shaw said she re-entered the bedroom to allegedly find Mr Ludbrook standing over Ms Baker and was chased out of the room. Three minutes of body worn footage played to the jury captured the moment a police officer searching the home found Ms Baker lying on the floor covered with blood. 'Oh s--t,' the officer could be heard exclaiming. 'She's not conscious, not breathing… she was stabbed in the chest.' The jury was told Mr Ludbrook was restrained and sedated in the backyard and was taken to hospital with self-inflicted knife wounds. Mr Ludbrook has pleaded not guilty. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani In response, Ms Clark described what happened to Ms Baker as a 'terrible, terrible tragedy' and said Mr Ludbrook agreed he was the one that caused her death. She said the defence did not dispute that Mr Ludbrook had taken PCE earlier that day, was behaving strangely and saying bizarre things, and that there was not a background of arguments and disagreements in his friendship with Ms Baker. 'What's not agreed is that Mr Ludbrook intended to cause harm to Autumn Baker,' the defence barrister said. 'What's not agreed that when he caused her harm he was in control of his actions; in a right mind.' Ms Clark said the defence would be calling two expert witnesses, a forensic psychiatrist and an anesthetist, to give opinions on Mr Ludbrook's state of mind. 'Mr Ludbrook does not agree he was acting in a conscious, voluntary and deliberate way when he caused the death of Ms Baker,' she said. 'What is in issue in this trial is the state of mind of Mark Ludbrook… Or was he so affected by PCE he was incapable.' The trial continues. Liam Beatty Journalist Liam Beatty is a court reporter with NCA NewsWire. He has previously worked in newsrooms in Victoria and Western Australia. Liam Beatty
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Mark Ludbrook accused of murdering friend Autumn Baker with steak knife
A woman was knifed to death after attempting to stop a friend from stabbing himself in the stomach while in a drug-affected state, a court has been told. Partially paralysed, Mark Ludbrook, 53, appeared in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday using a motorised wheelchair as his trial over the death of Autumn Baker began. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, with his defence barrister Emily Clark telling the jury Mr Ludbrook was not acting consciously, voluntarily or deliberately when he caused her death. Outlining the prosecution case, crown prosecutor Jim Shaw said it was alleged Mr Ludbrook murdered Ms Baker by stabbing her twice in the chest with a steak knife in the afternoon of August 3, 2023. He told the court it was the crown's case the pair were friends, with Ms Baker arriving at his Hoppers Crossing home about 12.55pm for an unannounced social visit. But Mr Shaw said he expects Mr Ludbrook's carer, Amber Davidson, to give evidence he was acting 'irrationally' and 'strangely' from earlier that morning. He told the court Mr Ludbrook had been diagnosed the year prior with a rare neurological condition affecting the spine, transverse myelitis, leaving him mostly wheelchair-bound and in need of carers. 'He needed them because he could only walk a few steps at a time,' the prosecutor said. Mr Shaw alleged Mr Ludbrook had turned to the illicit drugs ketamine and eticyclidine, or PCE, to manage his chronic pain and had taken PCE earlier that day. Mr Shaw said he expects Ms Davidson will give evidence she watched Mr Ludbook undress, walk naked through the house and into the backyard 'where he continued to behave irrationally'. 'Ms Davidson was concerned; she took a couple of short videos of him standing in the backyard naked and saying strange things,' he told the jury. A short time after Ms Baker arrived, Mr Shaw said it was alleged Mr Ludbrook took a steak knife from the kitchen draw and walk back to his bedroom. He said Ms Davidson followed out of concern, and found the accused man lying, still naked, 'poking himself in the stomach'. The jury was told the two women attempted to stop Mr Ludbook and Ms Davidson stepped out to call triple-0, only to hear Ms Baker scream. Mr Shaw said she re-entered the bedroom to allegedly find Mr Ludbrook standing over Ms Baker and was chased out of the room. Three minutes of body worn footage played to the jury captured the moment a police officer searching the home found Ms Baker lying on the floor covered with blood. 'Oh s--t,' the officer could be heard exclaiming. 'She's not conscious, not breathing… she was stabbed in the chest.' The jury was told Mr Ludbrook was restrained and sedated in the backyard and was taken to hospital with self-inflicted knife wounds. In response, Ms Clark described what happened to Ms Baker as a 'terrible, terrible tragedy' and said Mr Ludbrook agreed he was the one that caused her death. She said the defence did not dispute that Mr Ludbrook had taken PCE earlier that day, was behaving strangely and saying bizarre things, and that there was a background of arguments and disagreements in his friendship with Ms Baker. 'What's not agreed is that Mr Ludbrook intended to cause harm to Autumn Baker,' the defence barrister said. 'What's not agreed that when he caused her harm he was in control of his actions; in a right mind.' Ms Clark said the defence would be calling two expert witnesses, a forensic psychiatrist and an anesthetist, to give opinions on Mr Ludbrook's state of mind. 'Mr Ludbrook does not agree he was acting in a conscious, voluntary and deliberate way when he caused the death of Ms Baker,' she said. 'What is in issue in this trial is the state of mind of Mark Ludbrook… Or was he so affected by PCE he was incapable.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa's Emily Clark sets PWHL record for highest single-season salary with new contract, AP sources
Ottawa Charge forward Emily Clark set a PWHL record in becoming the league's highest-paid player based on single-season salary in signing a two-year contract extension on Thursday. The team announced the signing that secures her through the 2027-28 season, but not the value of the contract. Two people with knowledge of the league's payroll structure confirmed to The Associated Press that Clark's six-figure salary next season broke the record in restructuring the third and final year of her existing contract. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league and the PWHL Player's Association doesn't make salaries public. While the PWHL's collective bargaining agreement features a minimum salary of $35,000, there is no maximum under what will be the league's $1.3 million salary cap this season. The only requirement is that at least six players per team make at least $80,000 per season. For context, one of the people said Clark will be among nine players making $100,000 or more with the PWHL expanding from six to eight teams next season. Clark declined to reveal the value of her contract by saying she'd prefer placing the focus on the growth of the women's game rather than herself. It's part of Clark's modest background, growing up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and reflects her style of play in being one of the game's top two-way centers. 'I'm really proud to play the way that I do, but it might not be always the most attractive role or the stat lines don't always show maybe some of the intangibles that I do,' Clark said, before crediting Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld. 'But for Mike and the organization to see that complete game that I try to bring every night and value it, I think it's a testament to our organization." Clark is a two-time Olympian and was one of the first three players signed by the Charge entering the league's inaugural season in 2024. She's relied upon to kill penalties, face opposing team's top offensive lines, and contribute on offense. Clark's do-it-all ability was on full display during Ottawa's playoff run in which the Charge went 3-1 to eliminate Montreal in the semifinals before losing in four games to defending champion Minnesota in the Walter Cup Finals. Clark led Ottawa in playoff scoring with three goals and five points, while also playing a key defensive role in which all eight of the Charge's playoff games were decided by one goal. In the regular season, Clark finished second on the Charge with nine goals and 19 points while leading team forwards in averaging 19:22 of ice time per outing. 'We know what she brings. She's really the heart and soul of our organization,' Hirshfeld said. 'Our organization is an offense by committee type of approach, and so she fits in the toughness, the competitiveness, the defensive side of it. She fits exactly what we're trying to do as an organization.' The contract is humbling for Clark, who recalled being in a room with her Team Canada teammates at the 2019 world championships in Finland when they were informed of the Canadian Women's Hockey League folding. 'I'm in a room with all the women that built that league and feeling the emotion for them. "But then also that realization of what does this mean for me?' Clark said, noting she was counting on competing in the CWHL fresh off winning a Frozen Four title during her senior season at Wisconsin. 'No, I couldn't have imagined to be in this position,' Clark said, reflecting back. 'I'm very grateful.' ___ AP women's hockey: John Wawrow, The Associated Press
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Ottawa's Emily Clark sets PWHL record for highest single-season salary with new contract, AP sources
Ottawa Charge forward Emily Clark set a PWHL record in becoming the league's highest-paid player based on single-season salary in signing a two-year contract extension on Thursday. The team announced the signing that secures her through the 2027-28 season, but not the value of the contract. Two people with knowledge of the league's payroll structure confirmed to The Associated Press that Clark's six-figure salary next season broke the record in restructuring the third and final year of her existing contract. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league and the PWHL Player's Association doesn't make salaries public. While the PWHL's collective bargaining agreement features a minimum salary of $35,000, there is no maximum under what will be the league's $1.3 million salary cap this season. The only requirement is that at least six players per team make at least $80,000 per season. For context, one of the people said Clark will be among nine players making $100,000 or more with the PWHL expanding from six to eight teams next season. Clark declined to reveal the value of her contract by saying she'd prefer placing the focus on the growth of the women's game rather than herself. It's part of Clark's modest background, growing up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and reflects her style of play in being one of the game's top two-way centers. 'I'm really proud to play the way that I do, but it might not be always the most attractive role or the stat lines don't always show maybe some of the intangibles that I do,' Clark said, before crediting Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld. 'But for Mike and the organization to see that complete game that I try to bring every night and value it, I think it's a testament to our organization." Clark is a two-time Olympian and was one of the first three players signed by the Charge entering the league's inaugural season in 2024. She's relied upon to kill penalties, face opposing team's top offensive lines, and contribute on offense. Clark's do-it-all ability was on full display during Ottawa's playoff run in which the Charge went 3-1 to eliminate Montreal in the semifinals before losing in four games to defending champion Minnesota in the Walter Cup Finals. Clark led Ottawa in playoff scoring with three goals and five points, while also playing a key defensive role in which all eight of the Charge's playoff games were decided by one goal. In the regular season, Clark finished second on the Charge with nine goals and 19 points while leading team forwards in averaging 19:22 of ice time per outing. 'We know what she brings. She's really the heart and soul of our organization,' Hirshfeld said. 'Our organization is an offense by committee type of approach, and so she fits in the toughness, the competitiveness, the defensive side of it. She fits exactly what we're trying to do as an organization.' The contract is humbling for Clark, who recalled being in a room with her Team Canada teammates at the 2019 world championships in Finland when they were informed of the Canadian Women's Hockey League folding. 'I'm in a room with all the women that built that league and feeling the emotion for them. "But then also that realization of what does this mean for me?' Clark said, noting she was counting on competing in the CWHL fresh off winning a Frozen Four title during her senior season at Wisconsin. 'No, I couldn't have imagined to be in this position,' Clark said, reflecting back. 'I'm very grateful.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa's Emily Clark sets PWHL record for highest single-season salary with new contract, AP sources
Ottawa Charge forward Emily Clark set a PWHL record in becoming the league's highest-paid player based on single-season salary in signing a two-year contract extension on Thursday. The team announced the signing that secures her through the 2027-28 season, but not the value of the contract. Two people with knowledge of the league's payroll structure confirmed to The Associated Press that Clark's six-figure salary next season broke the record in restructuring the third and final year of her existing contract. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league and the PWHL Player's Association doesn't make salaries public. While the PWHL's collective bargaining agreement features a minimum salary of $35,000, there is no maximum under what will be the league's $1.3 million salary cap this season. The only requirement is that at least six players per team make at least $80,000 per season. For context, one of the people said Clark will be among nine players making $100,000 or more with the PWHL expanding from six to eight teams next season. Clark declined to reveal the value of her contract by saying she'd prefer placing the focus on the growth of the women's game rather than herself. It's part of Clark's modest background, growing up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and reflects her style of play in being one of the game's top two-way centers. 'I'm really proud to play the way that I do, but it might not be always the most attractive role or the stat lines don't always show maybe some of the intangibles that I do,' Clark said, before crediting Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld. 'But for Mike and the organization to see that complete game that I try to bring every night and value it, I think it's a testament to our organization." Clark is a two-time Olympian and was one of the first three players signed by the Charge entering the league's inaugural season in 2024. She's relied upon to kill penalties, face opposing team's top offensive lines, and contribute on offense. Clark's do-it-all ability was on full display during Ottawa's playoff run in which the Charge went 3-1 to eliminate Montreal in the semifinals before losing in four games to defending champion Minnesota in the Walter Cup Finals. Clark led Ottawa in playoff scoring with three goals and five points, while also playing a key defensive role in which all eight of the Charge's playoff games were decided by one goal. In the regular season, Clark finished second on the Charge with nine goals and 19 points while leading team forwards in averaging 19:22 of ice time per outing. 'We know what she brings. She's really the heart and soul of our organization,' Hirshfeld said. 'Our organization is an offense by committee type of approach, and so she fits in the toughness, the competitiveness, the defensive side of it. She fits exactly what we're trying to do as an organization.' The contract is humbling for Clark, who recalled being in a room with her Team Canada teammates at the 2019 world championships in Finland when they were informed of the Canadian Women's Hockey League folding. 'I'm in a room with all the women that built that league and feeling the emotion for them. "But then also that realization of what does this mean for me?' Clark said, noting she was counting on competing in the CWHL fresh off winning a Frozen Four title during her senior season at Wisconsin. 'No, I couldn't have imagined to be in this position,' Clark said, reflecting back. 'I'm very grateful.' ___ AP women's hockey:
