Latest news with #Ullrich
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Woman sentenced to 14 years for involuntary manslaughter in drug overdose of 14-year-old son near Richmond
A mother tearfully spoke of battling addiction before she was sentenced Friday to the maximum 14 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the overdose drug death of her 14-year-old son in McHenry County. Judge Tiffany Davis confronted Cara Ullrich with pictures of herself from her numerous arrests over the years, showing her decline until the day her son died. Asked what she saw, Ullrich said, 'A shattered woman who lost everything. I don't know how, she tried to keep it together for herself and her family.' But prosecutors said Ullrich and her husband, Eric Ullrich, took pictures of their kids holding cannabis that they'd gotten for Christmas at their father's house near Richmond. On Jan. 3, 2024, 14-year-old Trent overdosed on a mix of fentanyl, the animal sedative xylazine, known as 'tranq,' cocaine and cannabis. When the boy stopped breathing, prosecutors said, his parents tried to revive him rather than calling 911 for help that could have saved him. They took him into a shower and gave him Narcan, an opioid antidote, but fell asleep, and by the time they called 911 hours later, prosecutors said, it was too late. Prosecutors said the parents were afraid of being arrested and losing custody of their children, as they had previously. A medical expert, Dr. Steven Aks, had testified that had the parents called for help immediately, the tragic incident would have been 'completely survivable.' It remained unclear if Trent got into the drugs on his own or they were given to him, but McHenry County sheriff's law enforcement officials said they found bags of drugs throughout the house. Both parents were initially charged with murder, but pleaded guilty instead to involuntary manslaughter. Eric Ullrich, 52, was sentenced this year to 12 years in prison. At her sentencing, Cara Ulrich told of how she was kicked out of the house as a teen by her alcoholic mother. She said she is pursuing her high school equivalency in prison, where she is serving a prior four-year sentence for aggravated battery, and would be willing to get drug treatment. But Cara Ullrich also wrote a letter to a friend saying she was eager to get out of jail and party again. The judge admonished her for 'glorifying drug use' with her children and acting like it's cool. 'It's shocking,' she said. Cara Ullrich had a long list of prior traffic and other offenses, including an order of protection against her for allegedly cutting her husband and repeatedly threatening to kill him. The booking pictures of the defendant, Judge Davis said, showed 'a beautiful young woman' who went out of control on drugs. 'It stole your vitality, and it stole you away from your kids.' Trent, his 14-year-old brother told authorities, was 'a good kid, kind, loyal and a good brother,' Davis said. Defense attorney Brian Stevens said Ullrich was the victim of a tragic upbringing and addiction, while Assistant State's Attorney Ashley Romito and Special Prosecutor William Bruce had castigated the parents for leaving their son to die. But the judge said she saw potential in Cara Ullrich, who is 46. She will have to serve half her sentence, minus a year behind bars already, meaning she could be out in six years. 'You could do this … and come out different,' Davis said. 'The Department of Corrections is a dark place,' she said, 'but you can go in there and be the light for others.'
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Woman sentenced to 14 years for involuntary manslaughter in drug overdose of 14-year-old son near Richmond
A mother tearfully spoke of battling addiction before she was sentenced Friday to the maximum 14 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the overdose drug death of her 14-year-old son in McHenry County. Judge Tiffany Davis confronted Cara Ullrich with pictures of herself from her numerous arrests over the years, showing her decline until the day her son died. Asked what she saw, Ullrich said, 'A shattered woman who lost everything. I don't know how, she tried to keep it together for herself and her family.' But prosecutors said Ullrich and her husband, Eric Ullrich, took pictures of their kids holding cannabis that they'd gotten for Christmas at their father's house near Richmond. On Jan. 3, 2024, 14-year-old Trent overdosed on a mix of fentanyl, the animal sedative xylazine, known as 'tranq,' cocaine and cannabis. When the boy stopped breathing, prosecutors said, his parents tried to revive him rather than calling 911 for help that could have saved him. They took him into a shower and gave him Narcan, an opioid antidote, but fell asleep, and by the time they called 911 hours later, prosecutors said, it was too late. Prosecutors said the parents were afraid of being arrested and losing custody of their children, as they had previously. A medical expert, Dr. Steven Aks, had testified that had the parents called for help immediately, the tragic incident would have been 'completely survivable.' It remained unclear if Trent got into the drugs on his own or they were given to him, but McHenry County Sheriff's law enforcement officials said they found bags of drugs throughout the house. Both parents were initially charged with murder, but pleaded guilty instead to involuntary manslaughter. Eric Ullrich, 52, was sentenced this year to 12 years in prison. At her sentencing, Cara Ulrich told of how she was kicked out of the house as a teen by her alcoholic mother. She said she is pursuing her high school equivalency in prison, where she is serving a prior four-year sentence for aggravated battery, and would be willing to get drug treatment. But Cara Ullrich also wrote a letter to a friend saying she was eager to get out of jail and party again. The judge admonished her for 'glorifying drug use' with her children and acting like it's cool. 'It's shocking,' she said. Cara Ullrich had a long list of prior traffic and other offenses, including an order of protection against her for allegedly cutting her husband and repeatedly threatening to kill him. The booking pictures of the defendant, Davis said, showed 'a beautiful young woman' who went out of control on drugs. 'It stole your vitality, and it stole you away from your kids.' Trent, his 14-year-old brother told authorities, was 'a good kid, kind, loyal and a good brother,' Davis said. Defense attorney Brian Stevens said Ullrich was the victim of a tragic upbringing and addiction, while Assistant State's Attorney Ashley Romito and Special Prosecutor William Bruce had castigated the parents for leaving their son to die. But the judge said she saw potential in Cara Ullrich, who is 46. She will have to serve half her sentence, minus a year behind bars already, meaning she could be out in six years. 'You could do this … and come out different,' Davis said. 'The Department of Corrections is a dark place,' she said, 'but you can go in there and be the light for others.'
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tour de France winner issues health update after being hit by car while training
Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich was taken to hospital for his injuries after being hit by a car while cycling on Friday and had to cancel television appearances for the Giro d'Italia Former Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich has revealed he will be well enough to appear at his cycling festival at the weekend after being hospitalised. The 51-year-old shared a picture of himself in a hospital bed offering a thumbs up after being hit by a car while training. The 1997 winner appears to be in good spirits on the road to recovery despite being forced to miss the beginning of the Giro d'Italia. Ullrich was expected to participate in Eurosport's Velo Club programme for start of the grand tour, but had to cancel his appearance due to the accident. The German rider suffered a broken collarbone, bruises and abrasions after being hit by a car on Friday. Ullrich, who earned an Olympic gold medal in 2000, at the weekend confirmed the incident took place. The self-admitted doper took to social media to allay fears over his condition."Dear cycling fans, yes it's true, I was hit by a car yesterday while training", Ullrich said on his Instagram story. The cyclist offered thanks to his supporters for "your many wonderful messages and wishes for recovery". "Such wishes were said to have 'really made him very happy'. "See you next weekend at the latest!" added Ullrich with positivity ahead of an event named after himself. Lance Armstrong's rival confirmed he would be making the trip to the Jan Ullrich Cycling Festival in Bad Dürrheim in the Black Forest on May 17 and 18. Ullrich also announced that he will discuss his accident on his podcast Ulle & Rick. Ullrich's career was marred when he was implicated in the blood doping ring run by infamous Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes and sanctioned for cheating. It was 2013 before Ullrich admitted any wrongdoing. After moving to Mallorca with his family two years later, Ullrich ultimately spiralled into addiction issues "The mix of whiskey and cocaine made my heart colder," he said in 2023. "It brings up all the evil qualities in you. It turns you into a monster in a very short time. If you no longer have a heart, you are no longer human." Ullrich was drinking up to two bottles of whiskey a day and taking cocaine. Armstrong offered some support to his former rival who got back on his bike to help aid his recovery.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Covington 'DUI cop' tried to pull driver out through the window. Now he's being sued
A Covington police officer, who officials say specializes in drunk driving arrests, is facing his fifth federal lawsuit, this time over allegations that he used excessive force while arresting a Cincinnati man during a traffic stop. Damien Conner, 38, is suing the city of Covington and Officer Doug Ullrich on claims including excessive use of force, battery, assault, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Conner is seeking a jury trial in federal court in Covington, as well as damages and attorney's fees. According to the lawsuit, Conner was headed to work on Interstate 75 on the evening of Sept. 23 when Ullrich pulled him over for using a phone while driving. After running the man's information, which the lawsuit says Conner gave willingly, Ullrich returned to the stopped car and asked Conner whether he carried a gun. More: UC student with no criminal convictions sues Trump administration over revoked visa When Conner declined to answer the officer's questions, Ullrich ordered him to remove his seatbelt and exit the vehicle, body camera footage of the incident shows. 'I don't want to have to rip you out of the car and take you to jail,' Ullrich said. Conner tried to keep his door shut after officers attempted to open it, and Ullrich placed Conner in handcuffs while the man was still seated. Ullrich and another officer then tried to pull Conner through the driver's side window while Conner was seatbelted in. Conner pleaded with the officers to open the car door, saying that he was being hurt by the officers' attempts to pull him through the window. 'Why are you doing this to me?' Conner asked. The officers then opened Conner's door and cut his seatbelt to remove him from the vehicle. While escorting Conner to a police cruiser, Ullrich said that Conner was being arrested for refusing to exit his car and because the man's vehicle 'stinks like weed.' Conner denied smoking marijuana, saying his job at the railroad wouldn't allow it. The lawsuit states, 'there was no finding of fact that (Conner) possessed marijuana.' The officers did find a handgun inside a small green bag in the car, but Conner was not slapped with any firearm-related charges. In the body camera video, Ullrich told another officer he became concerned once Conner refused to answer questions about carrying a gun. Conner was charged in Kenton County District Court with resisting arrest, obstructing an emergency responder and using a phone while driving. He was also charged with keeping an antibiotic pill outside its proper container. Court records show the charges were dismissed after Conner completed a judicial diversion program. 'What began as a routine traffic stop for allegedly using a mobile device while driving quickly escalated into an ordeal of unnecessary violence and misconduct,' Jamir Davis, Conner's attorney, said in a statement. 'Damien Conner, a Black man and a law-abiding citizen, was pulled over on his way to work. He complied with every request – providing his license, registration, and insurance – yet was met with hostility and unwarranted aggression.' In a statement, the city of Covington said Conner was lawfully ordered multiple times to exit his vehicle after refusing to answer questions about whether he was carrying a firearm. 'The City is committed to defending its officers who engage in lawful actions,' the statement reads. 'In this case, the legal precedent established by the United States Supreme Court nearly 50 years ago is clear: Law enforcement officers have the right to order individuals to exit their vehicles in the interest of officer safety.' Court records show Conner's case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, however, it remains unclear when the first hearing will take place. During the closing arguments of an unrelated trial in early April, Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders described Ullrich as the department's 'DUI cop,' or the go-to officer for intoxicated driving incidents. Ullrich has been sued in federal court five times since June 2021, though the officer has not been found liable for any alleged conduct to date, court records show. The lawsuits each stemmed from Ullrich's involvement in traffic stops. Davis, the attorney representing Conner, also represented another of the people who sued Ullrich. That lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, who awarded attorney's fees to the city because several of the lawsuit's claims were frivolous. Bunning even ordered that Davis be partially on the hook for attorney's fees after finding Davis' failure to concede a claim, despite conclusive proof refuting specific allegations, was 'vexatious conduct and needlessly increased the costs of litigation.' The judge also sanctioned Davis for pursuing a 'baseless and frivolous' claim that officers violated his client's constitutional rights in asking for his identification during a traffic stop and for refusing to offer evidence for a racial discrimination allegation against Covington police. "I've never been sanctioned before," Davis said, adding that he plans to appeal the court's ruling against him. He also said officials aligned with the department are using the sanctions to try to discredit him and his clients. He said the judge presiding over the earlier civil case did not understand the arguments he presented and described the situation as "very, very unfortunate." Court records show Davis' client is seeking an appeal of Bunning's judgment dismissing the claims. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Covington defends 'DUI cop' facing 5th lawsuit over traffic stop
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Tour de France winner Ullrich hopes his sons become pros, too
Former Tuor de France champion Jan Ullrich has expressed hope that his sons will follow in his footsteps, embark on a professional cycling career and compete at the famous French race. "Fingers crossed. They are also riding. They haven't reached the age yet to be professionals but they are emerging. A few more years then they will strike," Ullrich said at a fitness fair in Cologne. Ullrich has three sons with his ex-wife, born in 2007, 2011 and 2012. The younger two, Toni and Benno, are registered cyclists at the regional association in the stae of Baden-Württemberg. Looking at the current generation of German cyclists, Ullrich spoke highly of Florian Lipowitz who came second at the recent Paris-Nice stage race. Ullrich said he hopes that Lipowitz will also ride a strong Tour de France in July. "He can do mountains, he can do time trials, he can position himself at the front," Ullrich said. "Those are very good results, I see him high up in the overall classification together with Georg Steinhauser." Now 51, Ullrich is the only German to win the Tour de France, in 1997. He is also an Olympic road race champion, won two time trial world titles and the Vuelta a Espana. His career ended in 2006 in connection with doping allegations. He officially admitted to substance abuse during his career many years later. Ullrich is currently preparing for a reunion with long-time American rival Lance Armstrong at a cycling event he organizes in Germany. Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour titles retroactively after confessing to doping, helped Ullrich when the German was suffering from alcohol and drugs problems, and they have become close friends.
