Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge following the death of his partner in Tennessee.
A grand jury in Hamilton County returned the indictment on Tuesday after prosecutors dismissed a lesser evidence-tampering charge.
The 31-year-old is accused of killing 29-year-old Gabriella Perpetuo in February.
Medical examiner details severe injuries
An autopsy report listed the victim’s cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma.
The document detailed 12 distinct injuries, including bone fractures, severe bruising and stab wounds.
Evidence presented in court indicated the former Ohio State standout used artificial intelligence to ask how to seek medical help without contacting authorities.
Prosecutors allege he specifically asked ChatGPT if a fall could cause bruising to both eyes and stab-like wounds.
Potential life sentence and prior history
The state is seeking a first-degree murder conviction, which carries a mandatory life sentence in Tennessee.
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp stated that a decision regarding the death penalty will be made in the coming weeks.
At the time of his arrest, the former first-round draft pick was already on probation across two separate states.
Court records show these probation terms stemmed from three distinct alleged assaults involving family members and another individual.
NFL career background
Selected 20th overall by the New York Jets in the 2016 draft, the defender played 58 games during his professional career.
He also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills before his time in the league concluded in 2020.
He currently remains in the Hamilton County Jail without bond.
Former Manchester United captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane have strongly criticised the United States’ decision to deny entry to African referee Omar Artan ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Artan, widely regarded as one of Africa’s premier match officials, was interrogated upon arrival in North America and subsequently turned away.
The White House stated that the official was denied entry due to alleged ties to a terrorist organisation.
Football’s global governing body, Fifa, has confirmed it will not intervene in the matter, ensuring the highly-rated official will miss the tournament entirely.
Fifa accused of weak stance
Speaking on ITV prior to the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa, Neville expressed his disbelief at the governing body’s inaction.
The former England defender argued that host nations must temporarily yield their territory to the global football community during major tournaments.
“To me it is ridiculous the fact the referee is not able to come into this country,” Neville said.
“He is a Fifa referee, he is basically someone who has been lauded as being one of the very best.”
The 49-year-old pundit questioned why Fifa had not adopted a more robust position to ensure their designated officials could perform their duties.
“We have to get referees in that are obviously Fifa officials, I don’t know why Fifa haven’t been stronger on that issue.”
Wider visa controversies
The refereeing dispute is just one of several logistical and political challenges casting a shadow over the start of the expanded 48-team competition.
Neville highlighted ongoing struggles for travelling supporters attempting to secure visas for the United States.
The broadcaster also referenced the complex political situation surrounding the Iranian national team.
While Iran has eventually been permitted to play their scheduled matches on US soil, the squad is currently being forced to conduct their training camps in neighbouring Mexico.
Neville compared the current administrative hurdles to previous controversies surrounding global tournaments hosted in Russia and Qatar.
“When you host a World Cup, you are effectively giving over your land to the world of football for four to five to six weeks,” he added.
“We need tolerance and people who can accept that everybody comes from a different part of the world.”
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from international football after a persistent foot injury ruled him out of the upcoming World Cup.
The 31-year-old sustained the issue during a club fixture against Sunderland on 11 February, which proved to be his final domestic appearance of the season.
Despite completing 45 minutes in a recent 1-0 warm-up victory over Iceland, the veteran’s recovery has failed to progress sufficiently to participate in the tournament.
Taking to social media, the national team captain confirmed his emotional departure from the squad.
“I will be leaving the World Cup squad. Since my injury, I’ve done everything I could, so I have no regrets. Of course I’m frustrated at not being able to participate in this World Cup.”
Wataru Endo
A legacy of leadership
The defensive specialist expressed immense pride in leading his country since the previous global showpiece in Qatar.
He highlighted the profound tactical and mental evolution the squad has undergone during his tenure wearing the armband.
“But more than that, I’m proud to have led this team as captain since the Qatar World Cup and to see it grow into a group that can naturally talk about the goal of winning the World Cup.”
“With this action, I will be retiring from the national team. From now on, I’ll continue to support the Japan national team as a fan alone.”
Samurai Blue face daunting group
The Asian powerhouse are scheduled to begin their tournament campaign against the Netherlands on Sunday.
They face a highly challenging path to the knockout stages, having been drawn in a competitive group alongside Sweden and Tunisia.
The squad showcased their credentials earlier this year by securing an impressive 1-0 friendly victory over England at Wembley.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side will now be desperate to break new ground without their talismanic leader anchoring the midfield.
The team successfully navigated a difficult group containing Spain and Germany four years ago before suffering a second consecutive round-of-16 exit.
Reaching the quarter-finals remains an elusive milestone for the nation on the premier global stage.
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has reportedly been expelled from a California golf club following allegations of nonconsensual physical contact with a female employee.
The incident is alleged to have occurred earlier this spring at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe.
According to Golf Digest, the 55-year-old made inappropriate advances towards a staff member inside the clubhouse.
The employee reportedly rejected the approach and immediately escalated the matter to her supervisors.
Club confirms decisive action
Following a swift independent investigation into the claims, officials confronted the American golfer on the course and instructed him to leave.
The Farms released a statement confirming the dismissal of an individual, though they chose not to name the player directly.
Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action.
This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club.
Representatives for the veteran golfer have publicly dismissed the severity of the allegations.
Any misunderstanding has been cleared up.
Phil continues to attend to a family health matter and is uncertain when he will be able to return to professional golf.
Stepping away from the sport
The former world number two has only made one competitive appearance this year while dealing with an undisclosed family issue.
His extended absence means he missed both the Masters and the PGA Championship, while he is no longer exempt for the upcoming US Open.
This latest controversy adds to a turbulent period for the prominent LIV Golf figure.
The left-hander faced intense backlash in 2022 after admitting he used the Saudi-backed breakaway league to gain leverage over the PGA Tour.
He has also endured extensive public scrutiny regarding his personal finances and gambling habits in recent years.
A 2023 autobiography by noted gambler Billy Walters alleged that the Californian had wagered more than $1bn (£790m) on sports over a 30-year period.
Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has emerged as a prime candidate for the vacant AC Milan job following the dismissal of Max Allegri.
The Portuguese coach has been without a club since his departure from Old Trafford in January ended an underwhelming spell in English football.
Prior to his Premier League stint, the 39-year-old forged an outstanding reputation by claiming multiple domestic titles with Sporting Lisbon.
Milan are now preparing to contact several prospective managers as they seek to rebuild ahead of the new Serie A campaign.
Glasner and Jaissle join Milan shortlist
The San Siro hierarchy are also carefully monitoring Oliver Glasner following the expiry of his contract at Crystal Palace.
The Austrian tactician recently departed Selhurst Park as the club’s most successful manager, having notably secured the Europa Conference League title during his tenure.
Matthias Jaissle completes the three-man shortlist, with the German currently managing Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
The former Red Bull Salzburg boss boasts an impressive recent resume, including two AFC Champions League Elite triumphs and a Saudi Cup victory.
Disappointing collapse triggers Allegri exit
AC Milan’s pursuit of new leadership follows a disastrous conclusion to their league campaign that saw them plummet from third to fifth on the final day.
A damaging 2-1 defeat by Cagliari consigned the Rossoneri to Europa League football next season, missing out on Champions League qualification for a second consecutive year.
Inter Milan, Napoli, Roma, and newly promoted Como all finished above the seven-time European champions in the final Serie A standings.
Consequently, Allegri paid the ultimate price for the late-season collapse, despite having previously guided the club to the title in 2011.
Ownership group RedBird Capital released a strongly worded statement confirming the necessity for immediate change at the helm.
“For the majority of this season, we were in the top two positions in Serie A, with a credible shot at competing for the Scudetto.”
“The final stretch was completely inconsistent with the performance up to that point, with last night’s disappointing loss in the final game turning the season into an unequivocal failure.”
“It is now time for change.”
RedBird Capital
Rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi is expected to start for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final following a crucial victory in his previous outing.
The 27-year-old occupied the starter’s crease during the team’s morning skate in Raleigh.
He was also the first netminder to leave the ice, heavily indicating he will retain his place for a second consecutive match.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour declined to officially confirm his lineup, though the championship series is currently finely poised at 2-2.
Rookie steps up on the grandest stage
The native of New York was a surprise inclusion in Game 4, stepping in to make 18 saves during Carolina’s vital 5-3 triumph.
Prior to that pivotal victory, he had successfully relieved veteran Frederik Andersen during the third period of Game 3, despite the franchise ultimately suffering a double-overtime defeat.
The rookie standout boasted an impressive 31-6-2 record during the regular season, earning the deep trust of his teammates.
“He’s just confident in his ability to be a good goalie,” said Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook.
“Obviously, the confidence he gained throughout the regular season, knowing that he can win and win often, it definitely helps.”
Andersen’s struggles prompt rotation
The 36-year-old Andersen had started 16 consecutive playoff games before being made a healthy scratch earlier in the week.
The veteran stopper has endured a sharp decline in form against Vegas, conceding 12 goals on 65 shots for an .815 save percentage in the Final.
Brind’Amour revealed that giving his primary netminder a complete rest was a deliberate tactical decision aimed at providing a necessary physical and mental reset.
“If you’re going to give him a break, you need to give him a break,” Brind’Amour explained.
“So to me, him dressing and going through all that is just not really giving him a night off.”
Andersen participated in an early individual skate on Thursday, but it remains unclear whether he or Pyotr Kochetkov will serve as the backup for the crucial fifth game.
Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari can reach a “magical place” and challenge for the 2026 Formula 1 championship following a strong start to the season.
The seven-time world champion arrives at this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix aiming to build on the best results of his 17-month career in red.
He has finished as runner-up to Mercedes’ title-leading Kimi Antonelli in each of the last two races.
Chasing the dominant Silver Arrows
Following a difficult 2025 campaign under the previous regulations, the Maranello-based squad currently sit second to unbeaten Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship.
They have successfully secured podium finishes in all but one of the six grands prix held so far this year.
Despite clear mechanical improvements from the Italian outfit, the reigning champions remain an immovable force at the front of the grid.
“It’s going to be tough to beat Mercedes and we’re just working on trying to focus on ourselves and improve each weekend,” said Hamilton.
A rejuvenated force in the paddock
The British driver recently moved ahead of former team-mate George Russell to claim second place in the Drivers’ Championship.
He insists his current racing approach is centred on full attack and continuous commitment to galvanising the team.
The Formula 1 veteran feels the garage now shares a clear vision to guide their development over the coming months.
“If we’re all rowing in the same direction at the same strength, I think we can potentially get to a magical place,” he added.
Working towards pure performance
Hamilton noted that fixing complex technical issues requires immense alignment rather than rapid, overnight solutions.
He believes the early signs in 2026 are highly positive, but stressed that their current form is merely a baseline for future ambitions.
“This is just the beginning really for us as a team. We’ve got more to come; we’ve got more improvements to make.”
“We exist to win and I think we don’t exist to win by default. It’s to win by pure performance and commitment and that’s what we are working towards.”
The Denver Broncos have signed head coach Sean Payton to a new five-year contract following a highly successful 2025 campaign in Colorado.
The 62-year-old had two years remaining on his previous agreement, which has now been entirely replaced by this latest lucrative commitment.
Financial details of the extended deal have not been publicly disclosed by the franchise.
Rewarding a remarkable turnaround
This decisive move comes after the veteran tactician guided Denver to the AFC Championship Game during his third season at the helm.
Under his leadership, the AFC West outfit achieved an impressive 14-3 regular-season record in 2025.
The team has recorded a cumulative 32-19 tally over his three-year tenure, consistently improving their win percentage each year.
Securing front office stability
This coaching extension closely follows a similar five-year deal awarded to general manager George Paton last month.
Both key figures are now firmly contracted to guide the organisation through the remainder of the decade until the 2030 season.
Establishing a winning culture
Sean Payton has led an impressive turnaround over the past three seasons, instilling a winning culture with high expectations.
Broncos owner Greg Penner praised the collaborative environment operating behind the scenes within their football operations.
I appreciate the close partnership he shares with George Paton along with the alignment and stability across our football operations.
We’re thrilled for Sean to continue leading our team as head coach, building on our progress during such an exciting time for the Broncos.
A costly but vindicated acquisition
The Denver hierarchy notably traded a 2023 first-round draft pick and a 2024 second-round selection to the New Orleans Saints to acquire his services.
The former Saints boss had originally stepped away from football following the 2021 season after recording 152 victories in Louisiana.
However, because he remained under contract with his former employers through 2024, a significant compensation package was required to facilitate his return to the touchline.
The 2006 NFL Coach of the Year remains widely respected across the league for capturing a memorable Super Bowl championship following the 2009 season.