Latest news with #Koziol
North Wales Live
19-05-2025
- North Wales Live
She murdered the man she claimed to love before telling lie after lie
The family of a "gentle giant" who was stabbed to death have spoken of their devastation after his killer was jailed for life. Joanna Wronska, 51, stabbed her partner Marcin Koziol to death in a drunken "explosion" of anger on October 24, 2024. Today [Monday] she was jailed for life, and will have to serve a minimum term of 15 years and 137 days imprisonment for the brutal killing in their flat in Pentre Gwyn, Wrexham. Mold Crown Court heard both had been drinking when she had fetched a kitchen knife and plunged it into Mr Koziol's chest. She then somewhat "came to her senses" by washing the weapon in a sink and ringing 999. She then had the gall to blamed Mr Koziol for inflicting the fatal wound on himself. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here But the jury last month rejected that account - which a judge today branded "distasteful" - and found her unanimously guilty of murdering the 40-year-old. In a statement at the sentencing hearing today, Mr Koziol's sister Anna Zawada, who lives in Poland, spoke about her brother. She said he was 18 years younger than her and she treated him like a son. He had been a 'cheerful, sensitive, empathetic and loving child'. As he grew up he would always remember birthdays and buy gifts. After leaving school in Poland it hadn't been easy to find work so he moved to the UK in 2004. He got a job and worked hard and diligently, sending back money to their mum in Poland. He was over six foot tall and 'my little brother was not so little anymore," she said. After his murder in October 2023 she realised there would be no more hugs. Anna said Christmas 2023 was the worst. Her devoutly Roman Catholic family sat in silence at the table during what should have been festive celebrations. Marcin's funeral was in the UK but Anna had his name engraved on the gravestone of the middle brother in Poland, which she visits every week. Anna herself developed depression, high blood pressure and insomnia after Marcin's death Also today Marcin's widow Marta, who kept in touch with Marcin during his relationship with Joanna Wronska, read her own statement about the effects of the murder. She said she had been "distraught" and "devastated" to learn in a phone call her husband had died. She posted "Rest in peace" on his Facebook page as "I did not know what (else) to do". As a spouse she was allowed to go to see his body but not to touch it. It was a "horrible, surreal experience," she said. As his widow, she could access his bank account to help arrange his funeral which she never expected to do. Marta had had to bury her baby six months earlier. She had kept in contact with Marcin and found the court case stressful. "He was truly a gentle giant and would never hurt anyone. I can't understand why Marcin has been taken away from me." The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands told Wronska the murder involved an "explosive, drunken loss of temper on your part in which you stabbed the victim through the chest with a kitchen knife". He added: "Thereafter you washed the knife and having to some extent come to your senses, no doubt regretting what you had just done, you rang the emergency services and remained at the flat until they arrived." But he said she has a drink problem and "can become aggressive and difficult in drink". Earlier, defence counsel Andrew Ford KC said the relationship between Wronska and Mr Koziol "could be good and was often good". Earlier in the case, the court had heard about the killer's earlier life. Wronska, a diminutive and slight figure with dark, shoulder length hair in the dock, already had two (now adult) children when she met a previous partner Januse Zdunek in Pajezcno in central Poland. Wronska and Mr Dzunek travelled some 1,120 miles (1,800km) from Central Poland to live in Wrexham in 2013. There they had two children together, who were later taken into care by social services. But Wronska, who was ten years his senior, became dependent on alcohol and took drugs. She alleged Mr Zdunek was abusive. Their children, now aged ten and eight, were placed in foster care and they split in 2021, the court heard. Tellingly, Mr Zdunek said in a statement that Wronska threatened to kill him with a knife several times. The prosecution described how he said he suddenly felt a sharp pain between his shoulder blades in one incident in July 2021. When Mr Zdunek turned he says he saw Wronska holding a knife. He claimed she said "You're lucky I didn't stab you in the heart". The jury had to decide if this claim was true and whether she stabbed her subsequent partner too, said the prosecution. The court was told during the trial that Marcin Koziol was born in Zabrza in Poland and had been living in the UK since 1982, initially on Merseyside. He was married to Marta Koziol but they had separated some years before. Mr Koziol had had a serious accident in the 2000s. He was crushed by a bale of waste at a recycling plant. He sustained multiple fractures and had surgery. He had spent all his compensation by 2018 on travel, clothes and alcohol. By 2019 Mr Koziol settled in Wrexham. He had mental health issues and was temporarily homeless. He met Wronska in 2022. In September that year he moved into her flat in Pentre Gwyn on Abenbury Road. Mold Crown Court heard their relationship descended into drinking and shoplifting and both were barred from their local convenience store. One night in October 2023 Wronska, who was drunk, lost her temper and stabbed her partner, who weighed almost 18 stone. On the day of the verdict on April 14 Judge Rowlands said: "You have been found guilty by a jury of the offence of murder in which you took away a man's life cruelly and entirely unnecessarily." He added: "I have no doubt that drink is at the root of your problems and it was in a drunken temper that you took a knife to the deceased that evening." After the verdict, the defendant said from the dock: "I'm going to kill myself." She then leaned forward saying she wanted to speak to her solicitor but the judge said she could do that after being taken down to the cells. Speaking following sentencing today, Detective Chief Inspector Eleri Thomas said: 'Joanna Wronska senselessly and needlessly ended Marcin Koziol's life – her partner who she claimed she loved deeply. 'It was a cruel and violent attack on a man who had sought support from her. Wronska then went to great lengths to conceal her crime and deceive the police by claiming Marcin had killed himself, causing untold trauma to his family, some of whom had to endure the ordeal of giving evidence, and then forced to listen to her lies throughout the trial. 'The thorough and diligent work carried out by the investigation team helped the jury see through her lies and secure justice for Marcin's loved ones. I would thank everyone who came forward to assist with the investigation, including the first responders who tried to save his life. 'We will never know what drove Wronska to end Marcin's life, but I hope her conviction and today's result brings some small measure of respite to his family.'
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin football tight end announces transfer destination
Former Wisconsin football tight end announces transfer destination Wisconsin transfer tight end Tanner Koziol committed to Houston on Thursday. Koziol entered the portal on Wednesday after just four months with the Badgers. The four-star transfer recruit joined the program during the winter window, ranked as a top-70 transfer prospect and the No. 3 player at his position. The rising senior then departed just weeks into spring practice. He is now headed to Houston for his final season of eligibility. The former Ball State standout caught 94 passes last season for a team-high 839 yards and eight touchdowns. His 36 career games over three seasons include 163 total receptions, 1,507 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 tight end joins a Houston program that has gone 4-8 in each of its first two seasons in the Big 12. The Cougars were formerly a contender atop the American, reaching nine bowl games in 10 seasons from 2013-22, including a program-best 13-1 2015 campaign. Koziol will headline Houston's entirely new-look offense entering year two under head coach Willie Fritz. The team landed former Texas A&M quarterback Connor Weigman, Rice running back Dean Connors, several transfer receivers, four now offensive line starters and now Koziol. They'll all look to improve a unit that averaged just 14 points per game in 2024, ranked 133rd of 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is looking to bolster its tight end position after Koziol's departure. It is one of several programs with a transfer visit scheduled with Missouri State's Lance Mason. As of April 18, Tucker Ashcraft and J.T. Seagreaves are the team's two primary options at the position. For more on Wisconsin's spring transfer movement, including where the outgoing transfers end up, bookmark our 2025 spring window tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
18-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN ranks now-former Wisconsin tight end among best players in spring transfer window
ESPN ranks now-former Wisconsin tight end among best players in spring transfer window Wisconsin transfer tight end Tanner Koziol landed at No. 13 in ESPN's latest ranking of the best players in the spring transfer portal window on Thursday. Koziol officially entered the spring transfer portal window on Wednesday after just four months with the Badgers program. He then committed to the Houston Cougars less than 48 hours after entering. Here's what scout ESPN Billy Tucker had to say about Koziol's place in ESPN's ranking: "Koziol has a huge frame with a well-rounded skill set that could make him extremely coveted yet again. He's a productive pass catcher who takes advantage of his size to shield smaller defenders on jump balls. He's a really good high pointer and that combination of height, hands and leaping ability make him a matchup nightmare. Koziol is also a really effective blocker with strong inside hand placement and finishing power to drive back defenders." The analysis certainly checks out. The La Grange Park, Illinois, was 247Sports' No. 4-ranked uncommitted transfer prospect before his pledge to Houston, plus the top at his position. Overall, he's slotted as the No. 71-ranked transfer of the combined 2024-25 cycle. As a junior at Ball State, Koziol snagged 94 passes, the fourth-most by any Football Bowl Subdivision player, for 839 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. As a sophomore, he notched 34 receptions for 295 receiving yards and three scores, indicative of a stark improvement in his capacity as a receiving weapon. In three total seasons with Ball State, Koziol recorded 163 total receptions, 1,507 yards and 18 scores in 36 games. To put his talent into perspective, ProFootballFocus ranked the now-former Badger as the top returning tight end in the nation. There's no denying Koziol's talent at tight end, and his departure was certainly significant for Wisconsin's 2025 offensive unit. Barring any transfer acquisitions, junior Tucker Ashcraft is positioned to suit up as the team's projected starter at tight end. He has limited production in two seasons in the primary starting role. Wide receivers Jayden Ballard, Trech Kekahuna and Vinny Anthony are also projected to receive a larger share of offensive targets without Koziol in the lineup. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football starting tight end officially enters NCAA transfer portal
Wisconsin football starting tight end officially enters NCAA transfer portal Wisconsin football projected starting tight end Tanner Koziol officially entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. BadgerExtra's Colten Bartholomew first reported Koziol's impending move on Tuesday. With the portal not officially opening until Wednesday, April 16, it took an extra day for that news to become official. The 6-foot-6 pass-catcher had been absent from UW's spring practice dating back to April 3, an indication of what eventually transpired on Wednesday. The former Ball State tight end transferred to Luke Fickell's program as a four-star transfer recruit, the portal's No. 69 player and No. 3 tight end back in December. With the departure of tight end Riley Nowakowski to Indiana, Koziol was poised to serve as Wisconsin's starting tight end and possible No. 1 receiving option on the outside. Koziol reeled in 94 passes for 839 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior in 2024. In three years at Ball State, the La Grange Park, Illinois, native logged 163 career receptions, 1,507 yards and 18 scores in 36 games. The tight end's improvement was evident. For context, he registered 34 receptions for 295 receiving yards and three scores as a sophomore. He added 60 catches and nearly 550 yards to that total just one season later, before the major breakout as a junior. Wisconsin's offensive depth chart for the 2025 season has become a major question mark, especially in new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes' pro-style system. Fellow winter transfer addition wide receiver Mark Hamper announced his plans to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday, as did veteran receiver Quincy Burroughs. Their departures leave the Badgers' depth options on the outside quite limited. Junior Tucker Ashcraft and redshirt junior J.T. Seagraves are set to assume Wisconsin's starting tight end workload, if Fickell's staff elects to forego the pursuit of a veteran tight end in the spring transfer window. Transfer wide receiver Jayden Ballard, plus returning starters Vinny Anthony and Trech Kekahuna, will also see more touches with Koziol's departure. On top of those changes at tight end and wide receiver, the Badgers need to address their left tackle position, with starter Kevin Heywood out for the season with a torn ACL. After excelling in the winter transfer window, Wisconsin is now back to the drawing board, needing to fill major roster needs before the 2025 season arrives. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking the 10 biggest portal announcements from Wednesday
The transfer portal opened on Wednesday and more than 1,000 players had entered the portal by the end of the day. Here are the biggest transfer announcements from day one of the 2025 spring transfer window. Advertisement RELATED: Latest news, notes and analysis from Wednesday MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking 1. QB NICO IAMALEAVA TO UCLA The Nico Iamaleava saga continued on Wednesday. He officially entered the transfer portal in the morning and by the afternoon there were reports that he was bound for UCLA. His transfer isn't finalized yet and there haven't been any official announcements from the Iamaleava camp or from UCLA. That being said, this is clearly trending towards the Bruins. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH UCLA FANS AT 2. TE TANNER KOZIOL Koziol was Wisconsin's prized transfer of the offseason but his short time with the Badgers has ended. The former Ball State star is back in the transfer portal after signing with the Badgers earlier this cycle. Last season Koziol was credited with 94 catches (4th most in the nation) for 839 yards and eight touchdowns. 3. WR MICAH HUDSON Hudson is back in the transfer portal after a brief stint at Texas A&M. The former five-star high school recruit signed with Texas Tech as part of the 2024 class but saw limited playing time as a freshman. Hudson decided to transfer in December and landed at Texas A&M as part of a strong receiver haul that included KC Concepcion from NC State and Mario Craver from Mississippi State. 4. RB BRANSON ROBINSON Upon Robinson's arrival at Georgia, everyone expected he would be the one to carry on the program's elite running back tradition. Unfortunately, the top-ranked running back from the 2022 Rivals250 suffered through injuries and fell short of those lofty expectations. Robinson entered the transfer portal on Wednesday and said he has early interest in Clemson, North Carolina, Colorado and Miami. 5. CB TAVOY FEAGIN - CLEMSON TO OLE MISS It's been a week and half since Feagin announced he would be entering the transfer portal and that was plenty of time for him to figure out where he wanted to go. Ole Miss has signed the former Clemson defensive back, adding him to its top-ranked transfer class. The Rivals250 prospect from the 2024 recruiting cycle did see the field in two games last season. 6. LB MIKAI GBAYOR - MISSOURI TO NORTH CAROLINA After suiting up for Nebraska for four seasons, Gbayor entered the transfer portal in December and committed to Missouri. After he arrived on campus, assistant coach D.J. Smith left for Appalachian State and that led to Gbayor re-entering the transfer portal. Gbayor officially entered the portal on April 10 and North Carolina was identified as a contender very quickly. The New Jersey native announced his commitment to the Tar Heels today, beginning what is expected to be a very busy spring transfer window. 7. DB RODRICK PLEASANT The ears of every coach in the country perk up whenever a player with world-class speed announces he is entering the transfer portal. Pleasant has recorded 100m times in the 10.1-second range, likely making him the fastest player in college football. The defensive back out of Southern California signed with Oregon in the 2023 recruiting cycle but hasn't made much of an impact on the field yet, recording just 73 snaps over the last two years. 8. RB JAVIAN THOMAS In one of the strangest turn of events in the short history of the transfer portal, Cal has seen its top five running backs leave in the last few days. Thomas is the latest and possibly most surprising of the five to decide to transfer. After the way he finished last season and seeing Jaydn Ott, Bryon Cardwell, Kadarius Calloway and Justin Williams-Thomas head for the transfer portal, everyone expected Thomas to be Cal's featured running back next season. 9. DB KENNEDY URLACHER Notre Dame's top ten recruiting class from the 2024 cycle featured a number of high-end prospects and son's of former NFL stars. Urlacher was one of them but now he is in the transfer portal and will suit up for another team next season. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, Kennedy saw most of his action on special teams this past season and was looking up at a handful of players on the depth chart. 10. OL BLAKE STEEN It has been a difficult offseason for Virginia as it tries to replenish a depleted roster. Losing Steen is another tough pill to swallow. The brother of Philadelphia Eagles standout offensive lineman Tyler Steen started every game for Virginia last season and still has two years of eligibility remaining. In more than 700 snaps this season, Steen allowed just two sacks according to Pro Football Focus.
