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South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Family of South Korean lawyer killed in Tesla crash sues US carmaker, local subsidiary
The family of a lawyer who died in a 2020 Tesla Model X crash in Seoul has filed a lawsuit against Tesla's US headquarters and its South Korean subsidiary, alleging sudden unintended acceleration and vehicle defects. Lawyer Ha Jong-seon, representing the victim's family, held a press conference on Thursday and announced that a civil complaint had been filed with the Seoul Central District Court a day earlier. The case centres on a fatal accident that occurred on December 9, 2020, when a Tesla Model X crashed into the wall of an underground parking garage in Yongsan district, Seoul. At the time, the vehicle was being driven by a chauffeur, identified as Choi, while lawyer Yoon, a passenger in the car, was killed in the crash and ensuing fire. The family said that telematics data retrieved from the vehicle raises serious questions about the cause of the accident. According to the data, the accelerator pedal was allegedly pressed at 100 per cent displacement for six seconds, yet the vehicle's speed increased by only 39km/h (24mph) – from 55.84 to 94.95km/h – a discrepancy they argue indicates the driver may have been pressing the brakes instead. 'Normally, we would rely on Event Data Recorder (EDR) data in such cases, but the fire destroyed it on impact,' Ha said. 'However, this Tesla vehicle transmitted operational data via telematics to the company's server, allowing us to review the vehicle's speed and pedal input just before the crash.' 00:58 Chinese driver survives after her Tesla is sent flying, landing on parked cars Chinese driver survives after her Tesla is sent flying, landing on parked cars Ha added that the Tesla Model X in question is capable of accelerating from zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. 'If the accelerator had really been fully pressed for six seconds, the car should have gone much faster. This inconsistency strongly suggests the driver was braking.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Frightening footage of lawyer being arrested just before wife was found 'pulverized' to death in his apartment
Disturbing footage has emerged of a Chicago lawyer being detained for alleged domestic abuse against his wife less than three months before she was found dead at his luxury apartment building. Caitlin Walch Tracey, 36, known to her friends as 'CT', was found 'pulverized' and missing a foot in the stairwell of her husband Adam P Beckerink's high-rise in South Loop on October 27. Beckerink, 46, a high-flying tax attorney, previously faced domestic abuse allegations from Tracey, but he has not been charged in connection with her death. Police bodycam footage showing his arrest on August 19 aired this week as his abuse case began at Berrien County court, located in Tracey's home state of Michigan. Beckerink's screams that day rang out through the courtroom as video showed him being held to the ground by police officers. The attorney wailed for help while a tearful Tracey sat rigidly on a bed close by. Tracey made the 911 call which sparked the arrest - something which a New Buffalo police officer told the court happened several times. Beckerink watched the video play while sitting just feet away from his heartbroken in-laws, who previously won a fight against him for custody of their daughter's body. Beckerink wailed for help in the footage as his alleged victim, Caitlin Tracey, sat rigidly on a bed close by in tears. Tracey is shown on the bed in the footage in the screenshot above Berrien County Prosecutor Amy Byrd said the police bodycam is a key means of telling Tracey's alleged abuse story. She successfully argued against Beckerink's lawyers to allow it to be shared in court. 'We seek justice in all of our domestic violence cases, regardless of whether a victim is able or willing to come forward and testify,' Byrd told the court. 'Obviously, in this case, our victim is unable, due to tragedy, to come forward.' Beckerink's lawyers argued that Tracey told the New Buffalo officer that they, 'did not have consent to come in the house' on the night of the arrest. Tracey died from 'multiple injuries' after falling approximately 24 floors at her husband's condo on October 27, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Chicago cops rushed to the scene and detained Beckerink, who had reported Tracey missing the day before. They released him after 48 hours without filing any charges. In the weeks that followed, Tracey's heartbroken parents, retired real estate developer Andrew Tracey, 69, and college professor Dr Monica Tracey, 65, battled against Beckerink for custody of their daughter's remains. Beckerink, a former partner of international law firm Duane Morris who had been married to Tracey for six months, argued that he had the rights to her body as the surviving spouse. But as court documents obtained by the Daily Mail reveal, her family hit back on November 6, accusing him of wreaking a 'campaign of abuse and terror' against their daughter during her final months. The alleged torture includes throwing a glass pickle jar at her head and pouring vodka on her wounds. According to the Traceys, their daughter had been in a relationship with Beckerink from October 2022 until September 2023, but the couple never lived together or had children. At some point after September, they got back together, and married in a private ceremony on April 8, 2024 which did not involve any of Tracey's relatives. Amid the acrimonious wrangling for control of her body, her parents accused Beckerink of 'manipulating' their daughter, of 'purposefully isolating her from her family' and being responsible for her 'tragic and highly suspicious death'. To support their argument, the Michigan-based family presented a since-rescinded petition Tracey made to Cook County Court a year before she died in a desperate attempt to obtain a restraining order against her husband. In her October 4, 2023 filing, Tracey detailed three examples of horrific attacks by the tax attorney. Tracey said that on July 11, 2023, at around 3pm, Beckerink stripped her naked and attacked her at her three-story home in New Buffalo on the banks of Lake Michigan, where her parents said she lived to be close to them and away from her partner. '(Beckerink) physically abused me by throwing a pickle jar, which struck me on my head, punching me, pushing me, pulling my hair, dragging me by my clothes, and stripping me out of my clothes,' Tracey wrote in the petition seen by the Daily Mail. '(He) also poured Vodka on my body, which burned my wounds, and would motion as if he was going to hit me with the alcohol bottle'. Tracey said she managed to escape on foot, before her husband later took her to hospital for treatment to an 'open head wound'. In a second alleged incident on August 21, 2023, Tracey once again only narrowly escaped a brutal attack by her husband, this time at his plush apartment in Chicago's Grand Luxury Condos where she was later found dead. At around 8am they had an argument, and Beckerink began launching a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse against his partner, according to her filing. Tracey alleges he 'verbally abused' her by calling her a 'cheater', a 'wh***', a 'piece of s***, 'liar' and a 'b****' before escalating to a physical assault. '(He) physically abused me by dragging me by my ankle, strangling me, suffocating me, slamming my head against a cabinet, slapping me, punching me, putting my head in a headlock, and dragging me away from the door to prevent me from leaving' Tracey wrote in her petition. He then allegedly stole her 'keys, wallet, iPad and phone' to prevent her from leaving or seeking help. Tracey said she escaped again by 'fleeing on foot', this time to the nearest police station. Cops went to Beckerink's apartment but he refused to open the door. Tracey detailed an alleged third incident which unfolded in the room where she was staying at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Chicago's Magnificent Mile neighborhood on September 20, 2023. She said her husband stormed into her room around 5.30pm before hurling abuse at her and this time attempting to 'sexually abuse' her. Tracey did not give context about why she was at the hotel or go into detail about the sexual abuse, but said she filed a police report for domestic battery. Her parents said it was around this time that Tracey temporarily ended her relationship with Beckerink and opened up to them about the alleged violence. In their petition for control of her body, the Traceys said she told them Beckerink had been 'emotionally, psychologically and physically abusive to her' including 'holding her hostage' and 'brutalizing' her so badly she needed medical treatment. She also said he had been trying to contact her 'approximately 20 times a day' either demanding to see her, or to verbally abuse her over the phone. 'I believe if Beckerink knew I was here trying to get an Emergency Order of Protection, he would try and stop me, or I would be at risk of further abuse,' Tracey wrote in her bid for the restraining order. But Tracey's parents said Beckerink found out and threatened to sue her for defamation and libel - so she withdrew her petition 'based on fear'. Though Tracey never secured the restraint, Berrien County Prosecutor's Office charged him on January 13, 2024 with four counts of larceny, interference with electronic communications and domestic violence against Tracey. On August 19, 2024 they added two counts of resisting and obstruction, interference with electronic communications and more counts of domestic violence against Tracey, according to her parents. But the charges came too late for Tracey. Her body was discovered by Beckerink's condo building manager, after a traumatized resident reported finding a severed foot in the stairwell. Cops attended the grisly scene at 7.20pm on October 27, and told the family that 'based on the condition of the remains' they determined that Tracey's body 'fell approximately 24 floors'. Her devastated parents said they were told that 'based on the height of the fall,' their daughter's body was 'pulverized' and 'her foot was severed from her body'. According to a police report, Beckerink was detained and questioned but later released. Tracey's parents said in their petition officers told them at the time that he was the 'primary suspect.' 'An unidentified adult female was found unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs,' Chicago Police told the Daily Mail. 'She was pronounced dead on scene. Detectives are conducting a death investigation, pending autopsy results. 'No one is in custody and there are no updates at this time as the investigation is ongoing.' Tracey's parents are still going through the agonizing process of piecing together their daughter's suffering via Freedom of Information requests to find any further documents she filed with police. But they secured one major victory in late November, when Judge Brian Berger ruled that her remains would be released to them rather than to Beckerink. The Tracey family's attorneys, Mitt Drew and Andrew Cunniff, released statements on their behalf celebrating the judge's decision. 'We are incredibly grateful for Judge Berger's expedited decision,' said Drew, of Butzel Long in Michigan. 'The ruling allows Caitlin's family not only to honor her life with the final services she deserves, but also to grieve appropriately, supporting them in their journey through this difficult time.' 'Today's ruling in Michigan is a critical step in the family's efforts to protect and preserve Caitlin's legacy,' added Cunniff, of Galarnyk and Associates in Chicago. 'The family will continue to fight for Caitlin until she is laid to rest with the respect and dignity she deserves.' The Traceys said they would honor their daughter with a Catholic funeral mass and burial. Duane Morris, the Chicago law firm where Beckerink worked as a partner, told the Daily Mail he had been 'swiftly removed' in response to the abuse allegations. 'This is a shocking and tragic case, and we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Caitlin Tracey,' the firm said. 'Our firm was not aware of the domestic violence and other allegations against Adam Beckerink asserted in various legal proceedings until recent media accounts of her death. 'Once we confirmed key facts, the Partners Board swiftly removed Adam as a partner of Duane Morris LLP. He is no longer associated with our firm. 'This is a tragedy for all involved. Our deepest condolences go to Caitlin Tracey's family. Counseling will be available for Chicago office employees this week. 'Out of respect for the legal process, it is not appropriate for the firm to speculate about the ongoing investigation, other than to say we hope justice will be served and we stand ready to assist if we can be helpful to investigators.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Dimitri Payet 'charged with 'psychological violence against ex-mistress', who accused the former West Ham star of forcing her to 'film bizarre sex acts' and 'drink her own urine'
Ex-Premier League star Dimitri Payet has reportedly been charged with 'psychological violence' against his former 'mistress', Brazilian lawyer Larissa Natalya Ferrari. The case against the 38-year-old has initially been dismissed by prosecutors in Rio de Janerio, however, according to Globo Esporte, following an appeal, he has been indicted. Earlier this year, Ferrari alleged that she was forced to drink her own urine and lick the floor during a turbulent seven-month affair. Last month, Brazilian outlet G1 claimed to have obtained a document with details of the case in which the lawyer attested to suffering from borderline personality disorder, believing Payet - whose contract with Rio de Janeiro-based Vasco da Gama was terminated 10 days ago - took advantage of her condition. 'Dimitri knew about my passion and psychological problems, using this against me,' she is reported to have said by G1. 'Dimitri convinced me to put my head in the trash, in the toilet, made me drink my own urine and other sexual bizarre acts.' The Frenchman was reportedly heard at the Women's Assistance Police Station where he admitted to having a relationship with Ferrari but insisted every act during their union was consensual. Furthermore, Payet, who left his wife of almost 20 years Ludivine and their four children back in his homeland during his time in Brazil, was alleged to have admitted to the acts but maintained that they were consensual and proposed by Ferrari. G1's report mentioned an encounter when Ferrari 'requested slaps during sexual intercourse' and as a result, developed marks on her body. The Frenchman also reportedly claimed that the two used wooden chairs during sexual intercourse, and that, due to Ferrari's light skin, any pressure would lead to marks. It followed Ferrari's impassioned public plea for 'justice', in a statement in which she claimed to have been 'humiliated' by the 38-cap former Les Blues star. 'I want justice because he abused my psychological vulnerability to gain sexual advantage,' she told AFP. 'He demanded proof of love from me, which consisted of humiliation. 'I recorded videos in which I drank my urine, drank water from the toilet bowl, and licked the floor. I'm a lawyer, I would never have made such serious complaints lightly.' It was claimed that Payet refused Ferrari's desire to continue this relationship in France, on the condition he pay her expenses, as his time in the country approached its end. According to the player, the lawyer's behaviour changed from then on, leading to her threatening to 'expose his secrets' if he did not respond within four hours of her birthday message. Payet's lawyer Sheila Lustoza told G1: 'It is regrettable that confidential records were leaked, but the case reveals with evidence something that is very clear: a woman exercising her freedom and will, as it should be, contrary to what has been publicly narrated up until now. The defense is confident that the truth that is proven by documents will demonstrate these facts.' Payet is widely regarded as one of West Ham's most talented players this century but left under a cloud to re-join Marseille after just 18 months in 2017. He stays at the Stade Velodrome for six-and-a-half years before moving to Brazil in 2023. In March, Larissa revealed that they had had a seven-month affair. She wrote in a lengthy statement: 'One thing I want to make clear is that it was never about money. There was no need for it. 'There's not much I can say because there's no explanation or anything to justify it. 'But one thing I want to make extremely clear is that it was never for money, not before, not now. In fact, the last time I went to Rio, I went by bus.' Larissa, who is a mother of two, also claimed that she only got physically involved with the midfielder following her divorce from her ex-husband.
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
Lawyer charged with drink driving, careless driving, giving false information to police over 2024 incident
SINGAPORE: A lawyer was on Thursday (Jun 19) charged with multiple offences, including drink driving, careless driving and giving false information to police officers, over a road traffic incident that occurred last year. Steven John Lam Kuet Keng, the director of Templars Law, was handed a total of five charges in the State Courts over the Apr 7, 2024, incident in which a car he was allegedly driving crashed into guard railings. At around 12.25am on the day of the incident, Lam, 55, is said to have had no less than 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, which exceeded the prescribed limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath while driving a car along Bukit Panjang Road towards Choa Chu Kang Road. While driving along Bukit Panjang Road, Lam allegedly failed to have proper control of his car, resulting in the vehicle veering to the right and mounting the right kerb before colliding into nine portions of guard railings in the centre of the road. He was given a charge of driving without due care and attention over this collision. According to his charge sheet, Lam was previously convicted of drink driving on Oct 25, 2006, and speeding in 1999, and could therefore be liable for punishment as a repeat offender. Lam then allegedly failed to take reasonable steps to inform the owner of the damaged government property after crashing into the guardrails. After the incident, at about 12.49am, while still in the vicinity of Bukit Panjang Road, Lam allegedly gave false information to a police officer by saying that he was not the driver of the car that was involved in the accident, and that an unknown person had been driving the vehicle. Later, at about 4.57am, at the Traffic Police Headquarters, Lam allegedly gave false information to an investigation officer in a statement, claiming again that he was not the driver of the car, which had been driven by an unknown person. No plea indication was taken from him. Lam's case will return to court on Jul 17. In the case of a second conviction for drink driving, a person may be fined between S$5,000 (US$3,900) and S$20,000, and jailed for up to two years. For driving without due care and attention, a repeat offender could be jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to S$3,000, or both. Those convicted of traffic offences could also be disqualified from driving. Those who give false information to a public servant can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. Those who fail to take reasonable steps to inform the owner of damaged property about the damage can be fined up to S$1,000 or jailed for up to three months for a first offence.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
MACC clarifies whistleblower protection after viral clips implicate Sabah reps to face graft charges
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that the individual set to be charged alongside two Sabah assemblymen in connection with a corruption case involving mineral mining licences is not protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. Its Legal and Prosecution senior director, Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, said Section 11(1) of the Act clearly states that anyone involved in the offence they report is not eligible for protection. 'If a person is involved in the wrongdoing, they are not protected under the Act and therefore cannot be considered a whistleblower,' he told Bernama yesterday. He said to qualify for protection, a report must be made in good faith to a recognised enforcement agency such as the MACC, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), or other authorised government bodies. 'Reports made with malicious intent, such as to seek revenge or defame others, do not meet the criteria for protection,' he added. Wan Shaharuddin also stressed that a key requirement under Section 11(1) is that the whistleblower must not be complicit in the wrongdoing being reported. If found otherwise, any protection granted may be revoked. 'This is to preserve the integrity of the whistleblower framework and prevent it from being misused as a 'shield' by those trying to escape accountability,' he said. Earlier, the individual's lawyer claimed his client was a whistleblower who had cooperated with authorities but was later informed he would be charged in court on June 30. Recently, several video clips allegedly featuring conversations involving certain individuals and Sabah elected representatives discussing corrupt practices linked to mineral mining activities went viral on social media. Previously, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that two Sabah assemblymen and another individual are expected to be charged in court this month in connection with the scandal. — Bernama
