The former UNCC quarterback declined to testify Monday when asked by the judge. During closing arguments, Olsen's defense attorney, George Laughrun, spent over an hour going over details in text messages sent by his accuser, as well as defining reasonable doubt for the jury.
Olsen is facing charges of second-degree forcible rape and second-degree forced sex in the case stemming from his arrest last year. Olsen's ex-girlfriend said he beat her up and forced her to have sex after a night out drinking that led to a fight at an off-campus apartment in February of 2017.
"Folks, we're not asking you if Kevin Olsen was a good boyfriend. We're not asking you if he said some bad things. He did," Laughrun said. "But he's not a rapist."
Eric Reid spoke publicly for the first time since signing with the Panthers last week. During a 12-minute session, Reid answered plenty of non-football questions, all while wearing a plain black t-shirt with "#IMWITHKAP" printed across the chest. That reference, of course, is to former teammate Colin Kaepernick, who along with Reid, is suing the NFL for collusion. Both players made headlines in 2016 when they kneeled during the national anthem to protest social injustice in the United States.
Reid said his lawsuit is still ongoing despite signing with Carolina. And he isn't backing down from his actions.
"I will keep speaking for my people," Reid said.
"As we said when we started, Colin (Kaepernick) and I, nothing will change unless you talk about it. We're going to continue to hold America to the standard that it says on paper that we're all created equal. Because it's not that way right now."
The week of August 24-27, 2020 might be a good time to plan a vacation if you hate large crowds. That's when Charlotte will play host to the Republican National Convention and the expected nomination of President Donald Trump as he runs for re-election that November.
"We are actually very excited about the opportunity," said Mayor Lyles. "It's because we are a democratic nation and so it just gets to be an opportunity for Charlotte to brag about being one of 11 cities to host the Democratic and Republican National Conventions."
The RNC is expected to generate over $100 million for Charlotte businesses. The 2016 RNC in Cleveland raised $65 million and had a total economic impact of $180 million. To put that in perspective, the annual CIAA Tournament pulls in around $50 million, and the 2012 DNC had an impact of more than $163 million.
It's the conclusion no one wanted to hear. The remains found in a creek about a mile from the park where Maddox Ritch disappeared were those of the missing boy with special needs.
The search for Maddox lasted six days before he was found near Marietta Street and Old Dallas Highway in Gastonia. The FBI is still searching for clues and witnesses that could provide any information as to what happened to Maddox. If you have any information, please call 704-869-1075 to speak with detectives.
“We are deeply saddened to learn the body found by searchers last Thursday is confirmed to be Maddox Ritch,” Gastonia Police Chief Robert Helton said. “Hundreds of people searched tirelessly for this child and our work continues to answer every question we can about his tragic death.”
A viewing is scheduled at a Huntersville funeral home before Friday's funeral service. A private burial will follow his funeral, according to the family.
The first daughter will make two stops during a visit to North Carolina this week. First, she'll meet with NASCAR industry leaders and drivers as part of the Trump administration's push for vocational skills and jobs in the workforce.
Her second stop will be with members of the search and rescue team at Mooresville Fire Department who were deployed during Hurricane Florence. She will also visit a disaster recovery zone in eastern North Carolina to witness the damage left behind by the devastating hurricane.
