Latest news with #Sterns
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Judge denies Stephan Sterns' motion to ban the press, public from his pre-trial hearings
The Brief A judge denied Stephan Sterns' motion to close his pre-trial hearings in his sexual battery case, ruling that closure is not necessary to ensure a fair trial. Sterns' defense argued that widespread media coverage, including social media content, could impact his ability to receive an impartial trial. ORLANDO, Fla. - The public and members of the press will be allowed in Stephan Sterns' pre-trial hearings, according to new documents from the Osceola County Clerk of Courts. What we know The judge, who heard from the state prosecutor and Sterns' defense attorney during a court hearing last week, has denied Sterns' motion to close the three pre-trial hearings in his sexual battery case. "The Court finds that closure is not necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the administration of justice", according to the judges' ruling. The ruling comes after the hearing held on March 20, 2025, in regard to the motion filed by Sterns'. The motion, obtained through court documentation, states that the spread of information presented in the hearings would prevent Sterns from receiving a fair trial. According to official court documents, the motion was filed by a public defender representing Sterns' on Feb. 19. The motion requested that all pre-trial proceedings be closed in his sexual battery case. A similar motion was also filed in Sterns' separate homicide case. Sterns' defense attorney provided various media coverage, including podcasts, YouTube videos, Reddit feeds and TikTok videos about the case as support for their motion. The backstory Sterns was the live-in boyfriend of Madeline's mother. He is facing a first-degree murder charge in the teen's death. An indictment said Sterns allegedly killed Madeline between Feb. 25 and Feb. 27, 2024. Officials originally said Madeline was last seen by Sterns after he allegedly dropped her off a few blocks from her school. Orange County Sheriff John Mina later announced that Madeline was never dropped off at school and was dead before the school bell rang that day. Sterns allegedly moved her body in the morning hours of that day after killing her in Kissimmee, investigators said. The case was ultimately turned over to the Kissimmee Police Department. The backstory Madeline was a student at Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando. She was reported missing on Feb. 26, 2024, after her mother, Jennifer Soto, went to pick her up from school and was told that her daughter was not in class that day. Her body was found days later on March 1, 2024, off Old Hickory Tree Road in rural Osceola County. Madeline was found dead in the area where Sterns was last seen possibly changing a flat tire, wearing clothing similar to what she was last seen in. Prior to her murder, Madeline had recently turned 13 and celebrated her birthday the day before she disappeared. What's next Sterns' defense attorneys plan to pursue several motions, including requests to suppress evidence and testimony, such as Sterns' statements to the police and evidence related to minor children. They may also seek a change of venue due to extensive media coverage. Sterns' sexual battery trial is scheduled to begin on May 5. His murder trial is slated for Sept. 22. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on previous reporting, as well as information gathered from Osceola County court records. Sunday, Feb. 25: Madeline Soto's 13th birthday celebration Monday, Feb. 26: Madeline Soto was last seen at 8:30 a.m., didn't make it to school Tuesday, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's missing poster was released, officials begin search Tuesday night, Feb. 27: Madeline Soto's mom, Jenn Soto, speaks with FOX 35; would-be suspect appears in background Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28: Orange County Sheriff John Mina hosts press conference about ongoing search Wednesday night, Feb. 28: Mom's boyfriend Stephan Sterns arrested on unrelated charges, named 'prime suspect' in Madeline Soto case Thursday, Feb. 29: Kissimmee Police Department releases Stephan Sterns' arrest affidavit Thursday, Feb. 29: Body language expert assesses Stephan Sterns' body language in Zoom interview with Jenn Soto Friday morning, March 1: Stephan Sterns dodges questions from FOX 35 while being transferred from Orange County to Osceola County Friday afternoon, March 1: Officials say they're 'confident' that Madeline Soto is dead Friday afternoon, March 1: Multi-agency search for Madeline Soto near area where Stephen Sterns was last seen Friday afternoon, March 1: Body found amid search for Madeline Soto Saturday morning, March 2: Stephan Sterns waives first appearance in court Wednesday, March 6: New court documents allege Stephan Sterns may have abused Madeline Soto years before her disappearance, death Tuesday, March 12: State Attorney's Office files 60 additional charges against Stephan Sterns Thursday, March 21: Kissimmee Police Chief holds press conference with updates about investigation Wednesday, April 4: State Attorney Andrew Bain explains why more information has not been released into the Madeline Soto death investigation Wednesday, April 4: FOX 35 obtained the 911 calls from the morning 13-year-old Madeline Soto went missing from Orange County Saturday, April 15: Maddie Soto's family and community members gathered at a vigil Saturday to remember the 13-year-old who was found dead days after she was reported missing in February. Wednesday, April 24: An Osceola County judge granted a motion to continue the pretrial for Stephan Sterns. Wednesday, April 24: A new trial date has been set for Stephan Sterns after an Osceola County judge granted the defense's motion for more time during a pretrial hearing. Thursday, April 25: Stephan Sterns has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Florida girl Madeline Soto. Monday, June 10: The State Attorney's Office intends to seek the death penalty against Stephan Sterns, the man accused of killing his girlfriend's daughter, 13-year-old Madeline "Maddie" Soto, according to court records – should he be convicted. Wednesday, July 10: Attorneys for Stephan Sterns, who was charged for the murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, have filed motions to continue both trials. Thursday, August 22: New police interviews with Stephan Sterns, Jennifer Soto from hours after teen went 'missing' Friday, August 23: New documents obtained by FOX 35 this week show that the teen's mother may have known about that alleged abuse. Monday, August 26: Madeline Soto's mom admits to knowing Stephan Sterns was 'grooming and abusing' her daughter, documents show. Monday, August 26: New documents shed light on how Madeline Soto's body got to the rural location it was eventually found at, and, ultimately, how she died. Monday, October 14: Trial date set for Stephan Sterns Wednesday, October 23: Kissimmee police revealed new information in the ongoing investigation. Alleged killer Stephan Sterns secretly filmed naked roommate, officials say. Friday, October 25: "I didn't start it" Those are the words Stephen Sterns told his parents in a recorded call from jail, audio which was released to FOX 35 Orlando. Thursday, February 6: Stephan Sterns and his attorney file dozens of motions ahead of his murder trial set to begin in September. Asking to strike the death penalty and to have all physical restraint devices removed from Sterns during trial proceedings. Wednesday, February 12: Stephan Sterns wants phone evidence tossed ahead of child sex crimes trial. Wednesday, February 19: Stephan Sterns asks judge to ban public, press from court hearing. Wednesday, February 26: Remembering the 13-year-old one year later; accused killer preps for trial. Tuesday, March 4: New details released in the death of Madeline Soto, one year since the initial report Wednesday, March 5:Watch: Stephan Sterns 2-hour interrogation amid Madeline Soto disappearance Thursday, March 20: Madeline Soto update: Will the media, public be banned from Stephan Sterns' pretrial court hearings? Friday, March 21: Maddie Soto update: Stephen Sterns jailhouse calls released
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Madeline Soto update: Will the media, public be banned from Stephan Sterns' pretrial court hearings?
The Brief A court hearing is scheduled for Thursday to discuss a motion filed by a public defender representing Stephan Sterns, requesting that all pre-trial proceedings in his sexual battery case be closed. A similar motion has also been filed in Sterns' separate homicide case. The defense plans to pursue several motions, including requests to suppress evidence and testimony, such as Sterns' statements to the police and evidence related to minor children. They may also seek a change of venue due to extensive media coverage. OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Stephan Sterns, the Central Florida man accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend's daughter,13-year-old Madeline Soto, is due in court on Thursday morning. The hearing will be held to discuss Sterns' motion to ban the public and members of the press from attending his pre-trial court hearings, specifically related to his sexual battery case. The motion, obtained through court documentation, states that the spread of information presented in the hearings would prevent Sterns from receiving a fair trial. FOX 35 News will stream the hearing live in the video player at the top of this page. According to official court documents, the motion was filed by a public defender representing Sterns on Feb. 19. The motion requests that all pre-trial proceedings be closed in his sexual battery case. A similar motion was also filed in Sterns' separate homicide case. Sterns' defense attorneys plans to pursue several motions, including requests to suppress evidence and testimony, such as Sterns' statements to the police and evidence related to minor children. They may also seek a change of venue due to extensive media coverage. What they're saying "This case has been the subject of unprecedented and highly prejudicial publicity and media attention in Osceola County, adjacent areas of Osceola County, a majority of the state of Florida, outside the state of Florida and even internationally," the motion states. "At every court proceeding, however minor or inconsequential, there has been extensive coverage by the press as well as social media users on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter (now called X) and Facebook. It is anticipated that the press will continue to be active and aggressive in the coverage of all events and proceedings in this case." What's next Sterns' sexual battery trial is scheduled to begin on May 5. His murder trial is slated for Sept. 22. The backstory Sterns was the live-in boyfriend of Madeline's mother. He is facing a first-degree murder charge in the teen's death. An indictment said Sterns allegedly killed Madeline between Feb. 25 and Feb. 27, 2024. Officials originally said Madeline was last seen by Sterns after he allegedly dropped her off a few blocks from her school. Orange County Sheriff John Mina later announced that Madeline was never dropped off at school and was dead before the school bell rang that day. Sterns allegedly moved her body in the morning hours of that day after killing her in Kissimmee, investigators said. The case was ultimately turned over to the Kissimmee Police Department. The backstory Madeline was a student at Hunter's Creek Middle School in Orlando. She was reported missing on Feb. 26, 2024, after her mother, Jennifer Soto, went to pick her up from school and was told that her daughter was not in class that day. Her body was found days later on March 1, 2024, off Old Hickory Tree Road in rural Osceola County. Madeline was found dead in the area where Sterns was last seen possibly changing a flat tire, wearing clothing similar to what she was last seen in. Prior to her murder, Madeline had recently turned 13 and celebrated her birthday the day before she disappeared. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on previous reporting, as well as information gathered from Osceola County court records.
CBC
10-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Children, families harmed by on-reserve child welfare system can now apply for compensation
First Nations people harmed by Canada's underfunding of on-reserve child welfare services can now apply for compensation, as the claims process officially opens in a $23.4-billion class-action settlement. Starting Monday, people removed from their homes on reserve or in the Yukon and placed in care funded by Indigenous Services Canada between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022, are eligible to make claims, and so are their caregiving parents and grandparents. An estimated 140,000 people are already eligible, even though the claims process is only partially open, said class counsel David Sterns, a partner at Sotos LLP and member of the settlement implementation committee. The figure highlights both the system's widespread impact and the enormous administrative task that lies ahead. "There's been a lot of anticipation around the the distribution, so we expect that there will be a surge," Sterns said. "We're hopeful that there will be enough resources and enough claims helpers." Claimants have three years to apply once they reach the age of majority, and because some class members could be as young as three years old right now, Sterns expects the claims process will go on for about another 18 years. The case has already been a long journey for Karen Osachoff Brown and Melissa Walterson, two of the lead plaintiffs. They're sisters, but they grew up unaware of each other's existence. Their family bond was severed by the child welfare system, and they only began the reconnecting process in adulthood — after the class action was filed in 2019. "If it wasn't for the system that Canada put in place, we would have grown up as sisters together, and not be meeting each other four years ago," said Walterson, representative plaintiff for the removed child family class. "It's terrible what Canada did to our people." The case has been difficult and retraumatizing already, they said, but it also brought a measure of healing and justice. For them, the opening of the claims process brings optimism and hope as well as concern for others' well-being. "What I want to tell the other claimants is it's going to be hard and difficult to go through," said Osachoff Brown, representative plaintiff for the removed child class. "You may or may not relive your trauma, and if you do, please reach out for help. You're not alone, and we're all in this together." The settlement traces back to a human rights complaint filed by the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society in 2007, alleging the chronic underfunding of child and family services amounted to systemic racial discrimination. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal upheld the complaint in 2016, finding that federal funding practices created a perverse financial incentive for child welfare agencies to separate Indigenous kids from their families. This modern system took more kids into state custody than the residential school system did at its apex. In an interview on Friday, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak called the settlement an important acknowledgement of the harm First Nations suffered at the hands of a racist system. "I'm sorry for what you went through," said Woodhouse Nepinak when asked for her message to claimants. She noted the harm includes trauma, disconnection and cultural loss. "My heart is with them and this country owes them an apology." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year outlined a plan to apologize for Canada's discriminatory conduct, and following his resignation Woodhouse Nepinak still expects a successor to deliver on that commitment. Class 'vulnerability' recognized Meanwhile, both she and Sterns repeatedly stressed the need to avoid retraumatizing people as much as possible during the claims process. "Everyone realizes the vulnerability of the class. Everyone wants to make sure that this is a success and this helps people move on," said Sterns. The 2006 residential schools settlement attracted criticism for allowing unscrupulous lawyers to exploit survivors, prompting an Ontario judge in 2016 to recognize that some lawyers "disgraced themselves and the legal profession by further victimizing their Aboriginal clients in a variety of ways." The day schools settlement also had its problems. Some survivors reported filing for the lowest available amount of compensation, only to learn later that they may have qualified for considerably more money. The courts dismissed their bid to reopen claims. Sterns said preventing confusion, fraud and exploitation is top of mind. He said the current claims process is straightforward and user friendly, with no need for outside lawyers since the settlement includes claims helpers. Under strict court-imposed rules, outside lawyers will have to advise potential clients that resources are already available for free, and if counsel is still retained, the court must approve any fees as reasonable in light of the little work expected to be involved. Claims can be submitted through the settlement website
USA Today
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Captain America: Brave New World' teases Marvel future in post-credits scene
'Captain America: Brave New World' teases Marvel future in post-credits scene Show Caption Hide Caption Anthony Mackie says Harrison Ford went all in on his Marvel stunts Anthony Mackie reveals how Harrison Ford refused stunt doubles and went all in for "Captain America: Brave New World." Spoiler alert! We're discussing key plot points and the ending of Marvel's "Captain America: Brave New World" (in theaters now), so beware if you haven't seen it yet. Look out, world. There's a new Hulk in town. President Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross (Harrison Ford) turns into a scarlet-skinned rage monster in 'Captain America: Brave New World,' just one of many problems Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), the new Captain America, faces in the latest Marvel adventure. Ross and other world leaders are close to signing an important treaty surrounding the discovery of Adamantium, a valuable element mined from the remnants of a Celestial half stuck in the Indian Ocean (see: 'Eternals'). Global peace is thrown into disarray at a White House summit when Sam's close friend Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) and other Secret Service members and soldiers are mind-controlled into trying to assassinate the president. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox. The culprit turns out to be Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), a gamma-irradiated scientist responsible for unleashing the Abomination on Harlem in 'The Incredible Hulk.' After being arrested, then-general Ross imprisoned Sterns – who now sports a disfigured head, green skin and a superpowered brain – in a secret military facility and later used the scientist's genius and penchant for probabilities to help win the presidency. Ross didn't give Sterns his promised pardon, so the baddie escapes when Sam finds and confronts him, then sets in motion a plan to destroy Ross' legacy by starting a war between the USA and Japan over Adamantium. Let's dig into all the best spoilers, from the return of an old friend to a post-credits scene warning of a bigger threat. What happens at the ending of 'Captain America: Brave New World'? When Sterns' World War III gambit is foiled by Captain America, the villain has a backup plan: Ross was diagnosed with a failing heart, and Sterns has been giving him pills secretly infused with gamma to build up radiation in his body (and make him Hulk-ready). Sterns turns himself into military police with one last surprise left to pull on the president: During a presidential news conference at the Rose Garden, auditory evidence is revealed that he and Ross have been in cahoots. An enraged Ross turns into the Hulk and Cap arrives just in time for a fight that decimates the White House and a good swath of D.C. An outmatched Cap wins the showdown by talking Red Hulk into submission, and in the aftermath, Ross resigns and is sentenced to the underwater super-prison known as the Raft (where Ross jailed Sam and other heroes in 'Captain America: Civil War'). Does the new Marvel movie have any good cameos? Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), aka the Winter Soldier, is one of the main characters of the next Marvel film 'Thunderbolts*.' He first makes a stop in 'Brave New World' to help Sam out in a crisis-of-confidence moment after partner Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) is critically injured. Sam wonders if he should have taken the same super-soldier serum that made Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Bucky powerful, but Bucky explains that Steve chose Sam to be the next Cap 'not because you're the strongest but because you're you.' When he leaves, Sam's ally Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas) shows some romantic interest in Bucky, who's also apparently running for Congress. 'He's 110 years old,' Sam says. 'I can work with that,' she quips. Is there an end-credit scene in 'Captain America: Brave New World'? 'Captain America' Anthony Mackie suits up for 'Brave New World' As Sam Wilson, "Avengers" veteran Anthony Mackie gets his first solo Marvel movie with the paranoia thriller "Captain America: Brave New World." Rather than the usual two extra scenes in Marvel films, there's just one at the very end. Like Ross, Sterns is now locked up in the Raft, and Sam visits him. 'You want to know what's funny?' Sterns says, though Sam's not in the mood for jokes. 'You killed a lot of good men trying to get your revenge. Trust me, we don't share the sense of humor.' Stern then issues a stark warning: 'All you heroes protecting this world, do you think you're the only ones? You think this is the only world? We'll see what happens when you have to protect this place from the others.' Just when you thought you were safe from the multiverse for a movie, they pull you back in: The scene acts as a tease to what's likely coming in 'Avengers: Secret Wars,' where our good guys have to battle heroes and villains from alternate universes to save the day. You only have to wait two more years for that payoff.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Captain America: Brave New World': Is There a Post-Credits Scene?
Marvel's Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen jump for Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson taking center stage with the shield. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier laid the foundation for the new film, and the last time we saw the hero he'd uncovered a plot about a super serum, made nice with bestie Bucky Barnes and fought off a group called the Flag Smashers. Brave New World introduces Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus Ross and sees Sam caught up in a foreign relations debacle while investigating a deeper, more sinister scheme with devastating effects. We know you've seen the trailer and at this point, may have already seen or plan to see the film. Marvel is known to drop scenes after the credits start rolling, and, to answer the question, yes, there is a single post-credits scene in Brave New World, and you must wait until all the credits are over to see it, and you can expect some teases with this vibranium-clad Captain America, too. If you haven't seen the movie, pause here. Spoilers ahead. Read more: The Hottest Movie Releases Coming in 2025 Unlike many Marvel movies, Brave New World has no mid-credit scenes; there's only one post-credits scene, and you have to wait until the absolute end to see it. So, what happens? After the brainiac villain Samuel Sterns turns himself in to ignite President Ross's inner Red Hulk, we don't see him for the rest of the film. Sam has a short conversation with Sterns in which he confidently tells him he will foil his plot. Then, Sam struts off as armed guards surround Sterns. The scientist is arrested and carted off to a cell in parts unknown while Sam suits up to fight Red Hulk Ross. In the minute-long post-credits scene, Sam walks up to a cell and says, "Told you you were gonna lose that bet," and we see Sterns sitting inside. They trade barbs, and then Sterns points out that they "share the same world, don't we? This world you would die to save." He ominously warns Sam, "It's coming. I've seen it in the probabilities." Sterns goes on to say that superheroes who are protecting this world think they're the only ones -- and believe this is the only world. With more menacing snark, he says you'll see what happens when you need to protect everyone from "the others." One thing to keep in mind here: We are still in the middle of Marvel's Multiverse Saga. That likely won't wrap up until Avengers: Secret Wars hits screens in 2027, so that means more Avengers, more timeline dizziness and more comic book storylines that involve interdimensional and intergalactic beings. Now, I could get into Thunderbolts stuff here because that movie is next in line, but I want to talk about the Avengers. Sterns' gamma-powered superintelligence allows him to see things with high levels of intuition, statistical probability and knowledge. With Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars in the pipeline, he may be hinting at the future appearance of beings called the Beyonders. I don't know this for sure, but in the comics, they sit on the fringes of the Multiverse outside of its scope. Like the Eternals, the Beyonders were created by the Celestials, and they have an appetite for destroying things. Think of Thanos' attitude of, "Let me wipe out the whole wack universe," but on a multiverse level. Not only is their story deeply connected to Doctor Doom, but they also have comic book ties to the High Evolutionary, Guardians of the Galaxy and the Fantastic Four's Reed Richards. If this is the group of "others" Sterns is alluding to (and perhaps the Molecule Men), fans should expect the next set of Marvel's Avengers movies to be a war for the survival of the multiverse -- and all the Avengers. Captain America: Brave New World is in theaters now, and the credits also let us know that he'll be back.
