Latest news with #Froehlich
Hamilton Spectator
11-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Direct indictments now in place for all four accused in Taig Savage murder
All four charged in the 2021 homicide of Taig Savage, a young man from Penticton, will proceed directly to trial after Crown prosecutor Kurt Froehlich filed direct indictments at the Penticton courthouse on Monday. This move eliminates the need for preliminary hearings. Savage, 22, was found unresponsive near Penticton Secondary School on the morning of September 5, 2021, after reportedly being attacked in a group beating. He died shortly after being transported to hospital. Police say he had left home that morning wearing pajamas and a hoodie. After a lengthy investigation, second-degree murder charges were laid in April 2024. The accused include three individuals who were under 18 at the time of the incident and are therefore protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The fourth is Isaac Hayse Jack, now 22, who was 18 at the time and is charged as an adult The three youths were initially charged with manslaughter, but their charges were upgraded to second-degree next court appearance for all four accused under the direct indictment is scheduled for July 14. Jack remains free under strict bail conditions. Two of the three young offenders have recently breached their bail conditions. One male youth is currently in custody following his second breach in recent weeks. He has been held for nearly three weeks and is scheduled for a bail hearing on June 17 in Kelowna. The Crown has indicated it will seek jail time after he previously pleaded guilty to an earlier breach. His lawyer, Nelson Selemaj, is expected to request his release under 24-hour supervision, including electronic ankle monitoring. However, the Crown will argue for continued detention until trial. On May 16, the youth pleaded guilty to breaching a court-ordered curfew. The Crown is seeking a 30-day sentence, potentially longer in light of his second arrest. While Selemaj requested a pre-sentence report, Froehlich argued it was unnecessary, citing an existing Gladue Report. Judge Greg Koturbash agreed to postpone sentencing to hear from the youth's community service officer. Meanwhile, the only female co-accused, now 19, recently pleaded guilty to assault related to a separate incident in November 2023. Because she was a minor at the time of the homicide charge, her identity remains protected. She faces up to six months in jail, with sentencing set for June 19. According to Froehlich, the woman was driving through a hotel parking lot in downtown Penticton when a stranger criticized her driving. After a brief exchange, she followed him, parked, approached on foot, and struck him in the face. The unprovoked attack, caught on video, was later reported to police. The incident violated her bail conditions, leading to 13 days in custody before her release under new terms. Froehlich called the assault 'a serious aggravating factor,' emphasizing how rare it is for someone facing a murder charge to commit another violent offense while on bail. He recommended three to six months in jail, followed by two years' probation with strict conditions, including anger management and a no-contact order with the lawyer Cory Armour argued for a conditional sentence to be served in the community, highlighting the woman's remorse and life changes, including moving in with her grandmother, securing full-time work, and accepting responsibility. Armour submitted five letters of support and noted her grief over the recent loss of her stepfather and stress from her charges being upgraded.' She is committed to keeping on a straight path,' Armour said, urging the court to avoid incarceration. Justice Lynette Jung will deliver her sentencing decision on June 19. Until then, the woman remains under her grandmother's supervision. Jack and the three co-accused had initially opted for preliminary hearings, which are now cancelled due to the direct indictments. The three co-accused will be tried together by judge and jury. Jack will face a separate trial, also by judge and mother, Tracey, was again present in court Monday. She has attended nearly every hearing. DW Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Chicago Tribune
18-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
REV Entertainment buys Kane County Cougars, team to keep playing in Geneva
The Kane County Cougars are being sold to REV Entertainment, the company announced on Monday, with the baseball team to keep playing at its longtime home in Geneva. Following approval by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, which owns the team's stadium, the American Association of Professional Baseball – the league the Cougars are part of – approved the sale of the team last week, according to a press release from REV Entertainment. This is REV's second American Association franchise, according to Monday's statement from the Arlington, Texas-based sports and entertainment company. It became the majority ownership partner of the Cleburne Railroaders, who play in Cleburne, Texas, in 2023. Bob Froehlich, who owned the Kane County Cougars for more than 10 years until the sale was finalized, said in a statement on Monday that REV Entertainment officials are 'baseball people,' and that it is a company that 'understands what it takes to successfully operate minor league franchises.' He noted REV's experience managing events at Globe Life Field, home of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, as well as at the Rangers' former stadium. 'REV's proven track record in baseball and live events positions them perfectly to build upon the Cougars' rich tradition and ensure continued success for years to come,' Joshua Schaub, commissioner of the American Association of Professional Baseball, said in Monday's announcement from REV. Froehlich will no longer act as the team's chairman, CEO and president, according to the team's vice president and general manager Curtis Haug, though he expects Froehlich to continue attending games and sharing expertise with the team's new owner. Haug said he anticipates REV will select the team's new chairman, CEO and president, although the details are yet to be announced. Froehlich's reasons for deciding to sell the team were personal, according to Haug. The sale will not move the team, however, meaning the Kane County Cougars will continue to play at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva, officials said. 'Cougars baseball has got a great reputation, a great image, not just here in the community but nationally,' Haug said of the team's remaining in the county. 'REV definitely wants to continue that success.' In February, the Forest Preserve District, which owns the stadium, agreed to reassign the lease to REV Entertainment, said Forest Preserve Commission President and Kane County Board member Bill Lenart. The current lease extends until 2034. 'There's no plans to go anywhere,' Haug said about the Cougars on Tuesday. The Cougars franchise has been around since the 1880s, according to the announcement from REV Entertainment. The minor league team relocated from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Kane County in 1991. The team will be holding an announcement event on April 2 at Northwestern Medicine Field to introduce REV as the new owners, according to Monday's announcement. Amid the ownership shake-up, the team is still set to begin its season on schedule, Haug said on Tuesday. The team's first game is on May 8, according to Monday's release, with the Cougars playing at home against the Sioux City Explorers. 'We start our defense,' Haug said of the upcoming season, referring to the team's 2024 Miles Wolff Cup Championship win. 'We're looking forward to, you know, (getting) the season started and defending our championship and hopefully making it two in a row.'
