'Six-point' Diaz a no show

Jaymes Diaz cut-out at the Greenway election forum / Pic: Phil Rogers Source: Supplied

Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz gets grilled by Ten reporter John Hill. Here are the highlights. Courtesy Channel Ten

THE elusive Jaymes Diaz was a no-show at a federal election forum for the federal seat of Greenway last night.

With about 100 locals in the audience at Blacktown RSL Club, candidates fielded questions on costs of living, local business, paid parental leave, coal seam gas, childcare, party preferences and how they would represent the interests of Greenway on the national stage.

However it was difficult to avoid the elephant in the room in the absence of Mr Diaz, who is currently favoured to win the marginal seat.

DIAZ DODGES QUESTIONS AT COMMUNITY FORUM

The other candidates posed with a cardboard cutout of the infamous Liberal, while members of the audience called him a coward for not showing up.

Mr Diaz made an embarrassing gaffe earlier this month when he was unable to name the key points in the Coalition's border protection policy.

Anthony Belcastro, candidate for Katter's Australia Party, took it upon himself to pose the question on everyone lips - "Where is Jaymes Diaz?"

"Here we have a candidate who wants to take your voice to Canberra and what do we end up with - an empty chair," he concluded.

Sitting Labor MP Michelle Rowland was keen to point out her list of achievements over the past three years including grants secured for community projects such as Com4Unity, increased funding for local schools, the redevelopment of Blacktown Hospital and the arrival of the National Broadband Network.

TEN's John Hill talks to Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz. Courtesy Channel Ten

"In short I believe in equality of opportunity and I don't believe you should be limited by the postcode you grew up in," she said.

"I've delivered on every promise I made in my maiden speech to parliament."

Ms Rowland took aim at the generosity of the Coalition's proposed paid parental leave scheme.

"I don't think it is socially equitable," she said.

"It is more important to maintain our existing scheme as it is being used and it is affordable."

All candidates at the forum made a commitment against coal seam gas mining and promised to push for increased child care funding.

Chris Brentin from the Greens defended the carbon tax while arguing Australia's future lies in the use of renewable energy.

"We care about people and we care about the environment and the harmony between the both of them," he said.

"Clean energy is going to create 70,000 new jobs for western Sydney."

The heated debate had its lighter moments, including when Palmer United Party's Jodie Wootton was forced to defend Clive Palmer's plan to build Titanic 2 in China.

While Mr Diaz never responded to his forum invitation, Tom Lillicrap from the Australian Sex Party and Allan Green from the Christian Democratic Party declined the opportunity to attend.

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'Six-point' Diaz a no show

Jaymes Diaz cut-out at the Greenway election forum / Pic: Phil Rogers Source: Supplied

Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz gets grilled by Ten reporter John Hill. Here are the highlights. Courtesy Channel Ten

THE elusive Jaymes Diaz was a no-show at a federal election forum for the federal seat of Greenway last night.

With about 100 locals in the audience at Blacktown RSL Club, candidates fielded questions on costs of living, local business, paid parental leave, coal seam gas, childcare, party preferences and how they would represent the interests of Greenway on the national stage.

However it was difficult to avoid the elephant in the room in the absence of Mr Diaz, who is currently favoured to win the marginal seat.

DIAZ DODGES QUESTIONS AT COMMUNITY FORUM

The other candidates posed with a cardboard cutout of the infamous Liberal, while members of the audience called him a coward for not showing up.

Mr Diaz made an embarrassing gaffe earlier this month when he was unable to name the key points in the Coalition's border protection policy.

Anthony Belcastro, candidate for Katter's Australia Party, took it upon himself to pose the question on everyone lips - "Where is Jaymes Diaz?"

"Here we have a candidate who wants to take your voice to Canberra and what do we end up with - an empty chair," he concluded.

Sitting Labor MP Michelle Rowland was keen to point out her list of achievements over the past three years including grants secured for community projects such as Com4Unity, increased funding for local schools, the redevelopment of Blacktown Hospital and the arrival of the National Broadband Network.

TEN's John Hill talks to Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz. Courtesy Channel Ten

"In short I believe in equality of opportunity and I don't believe you should be limited by the postcode you grew up in," she said.

"I've delivered on every promise I made in my maiden speech to parliament."

Ms Rowland took aim at the generosity of the Coalition's proposed paid parental leave scheme.

"I don't think it is socially equitable," she said.

"It is more important to maintain our existing scheme as it is being used and it is affordable."

All candidates at the forum made a commitment against coal seam gas mining and promised to push for increased child care funding.

Chris Brentin from the Greens defended the carbon tax while arguing Australia's future lies in the use of renewable energy.

"We care about people and we care about the environment and the harmony between the both of them," he said.

"Clean energy is going to create 70,000 new jobs for western Sydney."

The heated debate had its lighter moments, including when Palmer United Party's Jodie Wootton was forced to defend Clive Palmer's plan to build Titanic 2 in China.

While Mr Diaz never responded to his forum invitation, Tom Lillicrap from the Australian Sex Party and Allan Green from the Christian Democratic Party declined the opportunity to attend.

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Caine slams Connery Alzheimer's claims

British actors Michael Caine, left, and Sean Connery in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Caine has rejected a story in which he is alleged to have said that his friend Connery had "lost his senses." Source: AP

SIR Michael Caine has slammed a German newspaper report alleging he revealed his pal Sir Sean Connery is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Editors at Bild reported the Alfie star said Connery was struggling to cope with dementia, and was quoted as saying, "One must have serious concerns for him.''

However, the article has come under fire from Caine, who is baffled as to where the newspaper got it from.

He tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "It's all bulls&#nbsp;&#nbsp;&#nbsp;, completely preposterous. I did some interviews over in Germany for a new film and I can only assume someone has twisted my words or got the wrong end of the stick.

"I haven't seen Sean for a couple of years, but my wife and I spoke to him on the phone on his birthday this week and he was very well.

"He was fine, in complete control of his senses and his usual self. This stuff about Alzheimer's is just nonsense. I have no idea where they are getting it from.''

Bond star Connery has been plagued by rumours of ill health for several years, and only makes rare public appearances after retiring from life in the limelight in 2011.
 

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'Six-point' Diaz a no show

Jaymes Diaz cut-out at the Greenway election forum / Pic: Phil Rogers Source: Supplied

Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz gets grilled by Ten reporter John Hill. Here are the highlights. Courtesy Channel Ten

THE elusive Jaymes Diaz was a no-show at a federal election forum for the federal seat of Greenway last night.

With about 100 locals in the audience at Blacktown RSL Club, candidates fielded questions on costs of living, local business, paid parental leave, coal seam gas, childcare, party preferences and how they would represent the interests of Greenway on the national stage.

However it was difficult to avoid the elephant in the room in the absence of Mr Diaz, who is currently favoured to win the marginal seat.

DIAZ DODGES QUESTIONS AT COMMUNITY FORUM

The other candidates posed with a cardboard cutout of the infamous Liberal, while members of the audience called him a coward for not showing up.

Mr Diaz made an embarrassing gaffe earlier this month when he was unable to name the key points in the Coalition's border protection policy.

Anthony Belcastro, candidate for Katter's Australia Party, took it upon himself to pose the question on everyone lips - "Where is Jaymes Diaz?"

"Here we have a candidate who wants to take your voice to Canberra and what do we end up with - an empty chair," he concluded.

Sitting Labor MP Michelle Rowland was keen to point out her list of achievements over the past three years including grants secured for community projects such as Com4Unity, increased funding for local schools, the redevelopment of Blacktown Hospital and the arrival of the National Broadband Network.

TEN's John Hill talks to Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz. Courtesy Channel Ten

"In short I believe in equality of opportunity and I don't believe you should be limited by the postcode you grew up in," she said.

"I've delivered on every promise I made in my maiden speech to parliament."

Ms Rowland took aim at the generosity of the Coalition's proposed paid parental leave scheme.

"I don't think it is socially equitable," she said.

"It is more important to maintain our existing scheme as it is being used and it is affordable."

All candidates at the forum made a commitment against coal seam gas mining and promised to push for increased child care funding.

Chris Brentin from the Greens defended the carbon tax while arguing Australia's future lies in the use of renewable energy.

"We care about people and we care about the environment and the harmony between the both of them," he said.

"Clean energy is going to create 70,000 new jobs for western Sydney."

The heated debate had its lighter moments, including when Palmer United Party's Jodie Wootton was forced to defend Clive Palmer's plan to build Titanic 2 in China.

While Mr Diaz never responded to his forum invitation, Tom Lillicrap from the Australian Sex Party and Allan Green from the Christian Democratic Party declined the opportunity to attend.

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Caine slams Connery Alzheimer's claims

British actors Michael Caine, left, and Sean Connery in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Caine has rejected a story in which he is alleged to have said that his friend Connery had "lost his senses." Source: AP

SIR Michael Caine has slammed a German newspaper report alleging he revealed his pal Sir Sean Connery is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Editors at Bild reported the Alfie star said Connery was struggling to cope with dementia, and was quoted as saying, "One must have serious concerns for him.''

However, the article has come under fire from Caine, who is baffled as to where the newspaper got it from.

He tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "It's all bulls&#nbsp;&#nbsp;&#nbsp;, completely preposterous. I did some interviews over in Germany for a new film and I can only assume someone has twisted my words or got the wrong end of the stick.

"I haven't seen Sean for a couple of years, but my wife and I spoke to him on the phone on his birthday this week and he was very well.

"He was fine, in complete control of his senses and his usual self. This stuff about Alzheimer's is just nonsense. I have no idea where they are getting it from.''

Bond star Connery has been plagued by rumours of ill health for several years, and only makes rare public appearances after retiring from life in the limelight in 2011.
 

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Oh. Miley. God. Can't stop cringing

Mylie Cyrus' recent performance at the MTV Music awards raised more than a few eyebrows. Courtesy: MTV

 Miley Cyrus performed an almost X rated dance with Robin Thicke  at Video Music Awards. Courtesy MVA/Vine

Miley Cyrus twerked a little too hard on the MTV VMA stage. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Robin Thicke, aka the Zebra Man, and Miley blur the lines preeeeeeetty hardcore. Picture: AP Source: AP

THERE'S awards ceremony shock value and then there's Miley Cyrus.

The 20-year-old singer took raunchy performances to a whole new cringe-worthy level at the MTV Video Music Awards today shocking fans with an explicit display of tongue-wagging, twerking and grinding.

While the singer has been keen to shed her teen sweetheart image, we'd like to think there are other ways of doing it.

Cyrus, who was on stage to perform her latest single We Can't Stop first entered the stage from inside a giant teddy bear in a tiny one-piece.

Thrusting her tongue out at the audience as if she's been struck down with a case of rabies, the performance only got more bizarre from there.

Miley Cyrus "twerks" against Robin Thicke and right, on stage. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Surrounded by a gaggle of dancing care bears the star then hip-thrusted and gyrated her way around the stage, provocatively gesturing towards her crotch at regular intervals.

Pulling moves that should only be seen in a really bad porno, the star turned it up a notch when Robin Thicke entered the stage to perform a duet of his single Blurred Lines.

Miley, put the tongue away. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

And just when you thought her outfit couldn't get any skimpier, Cyrus ripped off the garment to dance around in her undies with an oversized foam hand reminiscent of the Coles "Down, Down" adverts.

Cyrus then danced around Thicke in her "underwear" before twerking on his crotch and rubbing her "Coles" foam finger across his privates.

Miley, explain THIS, young lady. Picture: Getty Images Source: Supplied

Naturally, Twitter exploded immediately after the performance, with many expressing their disgust at her racy display.

Stars including Rihanna and One Direction looked on as bewildered as most of the audience.

The reaction of Will Smith's family summed up what most were thinking as they shielded their eyes and dropped their jaws.

Will Smith and his family had the exact same reaction as this newsroom. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

But the performance, however shocking, wasn't entirely unexpected.

Speaking with MTV before the show, Cyrus promised a "crazier" VMA moment than the infamous Britney and Madonna lip lock of 2003 and boy did we get it.

Just for one more look: CANNOT UNSEE. Picture: AP Source: AP

"We've got better in store for you guys, it's going be even crazier than the kiss," she declared.

"This is just the beginning of my movement."

Hold onto your hats folks, if this is just the start, we're not sure we really want to see what else Miley has in store.

Pictures of One Direction and Rihanna's recations have gone viral. Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied

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Hird fronts AFL Commission

A decision regarding what penalties and sanctions will be handed down to Essendon is expected today.

ESSENDON coach James Hird has arrived at AFL House to front the AFL Commission on charges that could see him banned from the game for 12 months.

Hird and his legal team, including human rights campaigner Julian Burnside SC, are expected to tell the commission that his Supreme Court action challenging the Commission's right to hear charges against the Bombers star has not been withdrawn.

All four individuals charged - Hird, Mark Thompson, Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid - are now at AFL House, along with Hird's lawyer, Essendon chairman Paul Little and acting CEO Ray Gunston.

SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES AND TO JOIN THE DEBATE

The Commission is expected to detail proposed penalties against Hird, most likely a 12-month suspension from any AFL activity, and precise details of the formal charges.

It would be open to Hird then to back away from his court action and to accept the sanction, as part of a wider Essendon penalties package, or to declare he will fight on in court.

Hird has claimed he has been denied natural justice by the AFL and said the AFL Commission, including CEO Andrew Demetriou, should be barred from considering charges against him.

HIRD PREPARES FOR THE LONG GAME

Essendon is clinging to the hope it could retain prized draft picks as part of a deal that will see it stood down from the finals today.

Essendon's president says he's confident the club can reach an agreement over punishment for the drugs saga.

The supplements drama will come to a dramatic resolution when Essendon bows out of finals consideration, with Hird almost certain to have coached his last game of the year.

The AFL Commission is currently meeting at AFL House where it is expected to hand down the punishment for Hird and the Bombers.

Essendon chairman Paul Little and the club's acting chief executive, Ray Gunston, arrived at AFL House at about 1pm.

Commission members were seen arriving at league headquarters this morning.

Hird has been considering abandoning Supreme Court action and submitting to a 12-month ban demanded by the AFL ahead of a return in 2015.

Essendon assistant coach Mark Thompson reacts to photographers as he arrives at the AFL Commission hearing. Picture Wayne Ludbey

The Bombers coach today went to Windy Hill for a few hours before returning home, but did not offer any comment to the waiting media pack.

It is expected senior assistant coach Mark Thompson will escape with a fine of $20,000.

Veteran club doctor Bruce Reid is understood to be preparing to stand down as early as today. He was adamant he would not be part of a compromise deal.

Essendon will be forced to accept a fine of up to $2 million. The fourth individual charged, football manager Danny Corcoran, will be stood down for three months.

The AFL's lawyers, Minter Ellison, and Essendon's QC, Jack Rush, were locked in discussions on Sunday. Hird's legal team was not directly involved.

Essendon CEO Ray Gunston and chairman Paul Little arrive at AFL House. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

KEEP HIRD'S SEAT WARM

The AFL Commission began meeting at 8am today and while many facts are agreed between the two parties, it might take all day to reach a resolution.

AFL commissioner and Wesfarmers chairman Richard Goyder arrived at AFL house around 8am.

Expecting a long day he told his driver it was unlikely he would be picked up at 4pm.

Commissioner Sam Mostyn arrived shortly before 8am. Commissioner Bill Kelty at around 8.30am.The former ACTU secretary had said he would excuse himself from AFL Commission meetings due to his friendship with Hird.

James Hird leaves his Toorak home this morning. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Bombers were lobbying the AFL to keep their draft picks or lose just the first two picks at this year's national draft in November.

They argue it would penalise the players and hurt the club for a decade, but the league has pushed for a two-year exclusion from the first two rounds of the draft.

Hird's lawyer Julian Burnside SC labelled the AFL's actions "scandalous" and accused them of bullying Hird.

But the Bombers have effectively conceded defeat. Now the club is trying to limit the damage to its reputation and future success.

An insight into what the AFL might deem acceptable was contained in a draft "accepted facts" document provided to Essendon.

Bombers club doctor Bruce Reid arrives with is legal team at AFL House. Picture: Michael Klein

It stated:

THE club failed to adequately protect the health, welfare and safety of the players.

THERE was an unacceptable risk that players may have been administered substances that were prohibited by the AFL Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code.

THE club is unable to determine whether players were administered substances prohibited by the AFL Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code.

Essendon has refused to sign an agreement that says officials deliberately set out to breach anti-doping rules.

Essendon football manager Danny Corcoran and his legal team arrive at AFL House Picture: Michael Klein

Hird will either accept a 12-month ban or Essendon will stand him down for next season while he continues to fight his legal battle.

But that second option looks less likely, with legal figures saying many points in his Supreme Court writ would be undermined by Essendon's guilty plea.

On Saturday night Hird issued two contradictory statements - that he wanted his punishment wrapped up in the club's sanctions, but that he wanted to clear his name first.

"First of all I want to prove I'm innocent of a lot or 99 per cent of those charges," he said.

"I look at those charges and they make me sick that they're out there and that people would believe that is the truth about me.

Essendon QC Jack Rush outside AFL House. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

"I'm determined to clear that up. Then we'll go from there about suspension or not suspension."

Bombers captain Jobe Watson on Sunday continued to express support for Hird but said the fate of his coach was beyond the club's control.

"I mean, it's not whether or not we want him to coach - it's the decision of the Commission and that's the reason there is a Commission," Watson said.

Reid is determined to protect his reputation as a medical practitioner. He has told confidantes he will continue his fight separate to Essendon.

 Essendon chairman Paul Little spoke on Saturday night of a middle ground, which meant that the AFL was prepared to drop the focus on drug cheating and instead hit the Dons with governance charges.

While the sanctions are unprecedented, attention will quickly turn to who fills the coaching void.

HIRD OPENS UP AFTER GRITTY WIN

Thompson would be available given he will only be fined but has made it known he is not interested in a senior coaching position.

Former Bombers stars Mark Harvey and Neale Daniher have been linked to the club but a one-year secondment would not appeal if Hird was definitely returning.

Hird's barrister Burnside said "the AFL's bullying tactics seem to be the standard in Australia now".

James Hird and assistant coach Mark Thompson are expected to learn their fate today. Picture: Michael Klein

"The AFL seems to think it's OK to bully a bunch of individuals and a club without letting them have a fair hearing. I think the AFL's conduct has been scandalous."

- with James Dowling, Andy Burns 

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Come on Australia, this is getting embarrassing

Israel Folau looking unimpressed. As he should. Source: Getty Images

I WATCHED this year's State of Origin decider in a cosy Queenstown pub.

The Maroons were shooting for their eighth consecutive series victory. One Kiwi told me that was "a decent effort". His mate said it was "cute".

Why so condescending? They were comparing Queensland's monstrous winning streak to New Zealand's dominance in the Bledisloe Cup.

The Wallabies have now lost eleven consecutive Bledisloe series. ELEVEN.

It's the most humiliating, demoralising statistic in Australian sport. It makes the Aussies' performance in The Ashes look downright laudable. But the worst part is that nobody cares.

Will Genia was dejected after the loss in Wellington. Source: Getty Images

OK, Phil Kearns cares. The Fox Sports commentator was already sulking at half-time in the Wallabies' 27-16 loss last night, and rightly so.

Referee Jaco Peyper left every last skerrick of common sense in his Wellington hotel room before the game. He failed to award an early Australian try for no apparent reason, penalised the Wallabies for competing at the break-down (otherwise known as "playing rugby") and happened to be looking the other way when New Zealand decided some rules were optional.

Kearns was outraged. So was coach Ewen McKenzie after the game. Aussie fans, not so much.

It's like you guys don't give a ruck anymore.

Remember how you used to really, really hate this guy? Source: Getty Images

Attendance at the Bledisloe opener in Sydney last weekend was a measly 68,000. That's terrible for a fixture which has often sold out the 83,500 seat stadium.

Losing eleven series straight shouldn't make you abandon the sport, it should make you aggro. To give up and go home, or switch the TV to a different footy code, conforms to the biggest negative stereotype that Kiwis attach to Aussie supporters.

"Fair weather fans", they call you. They say you only give a damn about your national side when it's winning, whatever the sport.

There's clearly an element of truth in that criticism, and it's nothing to be proud of.

If the Wallabies fail to win back the Bledisloe Cup next year, they will equal the highest record of 12 consecutive series without victory. Your Kiwi mates will never let you live it down.

But that losing streak isn't the biggest embarrassment here. You are.

Fire up at @SamClench on Twitter. Or fire up at the referee. Just fire up at SOMETHING, dammit.

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Kiwi PM's daughter poses nude

John Key's daughter Stephanie poses nude. Photo: Stephanie Key Source: Supplied

NEW Zealand Prime Minister John Key says he is "very proud" of his daughter Stephanie's nude photos.

Ms Key, who is studying at the Paris College of Art, will next month debut a series of provocative self-portraits at Paris Design Week.

The images include one of the 20-year-old covering her breasts with hamburgers and another with her body covered in pieces of sushi and octopus. In one more, Stephanie poses topless with a cherry in her mouth, brandishing a fake handgun.

We presume there is some sort of deep meaning behind the pictures. To us, they just seem a bit strange.

"The photographs were part of her curriculum work, and we are very proud of the work she is doing," Mr Key said.

Britain's Sunday Times said Ms Key was "not exactly a chip off the old block".

In 2011, Mr Key's son Max, then 15, brought attention to the family when a photo emerged of Max lying plank-like across the sofa in the prime ministerial residence.

New Zealand prime minister John Key watches his son Max planking (Facebook: Max Key) Source: Supplied

A deadpan Mr Key stood in the background, performing what could only be described as a vertical plank.

The picture, some suggested, was responsible for killing off the worldwide craze for planking, or lying face down on your stomach and posting the image on the internet.

See more of Stephanie Key's pictures at the Daily Mail .

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'#Hate' slaying: accused's chilling tweets

James Edwards, 15, charged with first-degree murder. Source: Supplied

Danny Ford, Chief of Police in Duncan, Oklahoma, reveals more information on the murder of Australian student, Christopher Lane. Courtesy MMM

ONE of the Oklahoma teens accused of gunning down a jogger had allegedly tweeted an anti-white message and warned, ''It's time to start taken life's''.

The vicious comments on 15-year-old James Edwards' Twitter feed fueled speculation that the slaying of Christopher Lane, 22, was a hate crime and not a random attack by "bored" thugs.

Edwards, who is black, tweeted in April, ''90% of white ppl are nasty. #HATE THEM.''

Three days before Mr Lane, who was white, was fatally shot last Friday while jogging, Edwards tweeted, ''With my n---as when it's time to start taken life's.''

And one day before the murder, he wrote on Facebook, ''I've never been this mad in my life.''

In another post that day, he wrote cryptically, ''Bang 2 drops in one day.''

Police in the small Oklahoma town of Duncan are said to be scouring social-media for clues to the possible motives of Edwards, Chancey Luna, 16, and Michael Jones, 17, but so far have not publicly linked racial hatred to the death of Lane, an Australian student attending college in Oklahoma on a baseball scholarship.

US prosecutors handling the case said Friday there was no evidence to suggest the killing was racially-motivated.

Several commentators have questioned why authorities had not pressed to have hate crime charges added to the indictment of Edwards and Luna, who are both charged with murder. However Stephens County District Attorney Jason Hicks said while authorities were aware of the comments made by Edwards, there was not enough evidence to pursue extra charges.

"At this point, the evidence does not support the theory that Christopher Lane was targeted based upon his race or nationality," Mr Hicks said in a statement. "The evidence is insufficient to establish that race was the primary motive in the murder of Christopher Lane."

Mr Hicks later told CNN that Luna came from a mixed race family, and that the third teenager arrested with the duo, Jones, was white.

"I have nothing in my files, paperwork or audio recordings that suggest that Christopher Lane was killed because of his race or nationality," Mr Hicks said on CNN.

James Francis Edwards Jr, 15, Michael Dewayne Jones, 17, and Chancey Allen Luna, 16, have been charged over the killing of Christopher Lane. Source: AP

Police said Jones confessed, telling investigators they decided to kill someone and randomly picked their victim.

''We were bored and didn't have anything to do, so we decided to kill somebody,'' Jones was quoted as saying.

Mr Hicks agreed that this explanation appeared to be the most likely. "I tend to think that the police chief's (Danny Ford) comments, that is they did it out of boredom are probably accurate," he said.

Court documents show that when Jones was initially questioned by police, he said he couldn't reveal who pulled the trigger of the .22-caliber revolver that killed Lane because ''he would be killed,'' the Duncan Banner newspaper reported.

Joyce Smith of Duncan called 911 for emergency assistance for Christopher Lane. WARNING Sensitive material.

Another Duncan resident, James Johnson, who is black, said he alerted police when the teens threatened to kill his son because the youth had refused to join their gang, an offshoot of the Crips.

Mr Johnson called police, who quickly arrested the three teens in their black Ford Focus in the parking lot of a church near his home.

This picture was posted on the Facebook page of girlfriend Sarah Harper with the message: "I love you Christopher Ryan Lane. I love you so much babe. From 2009 until forever you will always be mine and in a very special and protected place in my heart." Supplied: Facebook Source: Supplied

Mr Johnson suggested one other explanation for the murder, claiming Lane's death was an "initiation" rite for the gang.

''I don't think it was an initiation; I know it was an initiation," he told Australian media. "My son told me that it was an initiation.''

Authorities in Duncan indicated their investigation is far from finished, noting they haven't found the murder weapon, which Jones said was given to somebody by one of the teens.

Mr Lane was a Melbourne native who went to the States to play baseball at East Central University in Ada. An online fund set up to help bring his body back to Australia topped $100,000 yesterday.

A private memorial for Lane was scheduled for tomorrow at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post. With AFP

Sarah Harper at the memorial when Christopher Lane was shot dead while jogging. Picture: AP Source: AP

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Affleck and the Batman backlash

Ben Affleck is likely to be far from the biggest issue for a Superman and Batman team-up movie, scheduled to begin shooting next year. Picture: Robyn Beck Source: AFP

• Ben Affleck cast as batman
• Petitions to Warner Bros to rethink its decision
• Do you agree, or could Affleck pull off the Caped Crusader?

THE Internet erupted Thursday night after Warner Bros announced that Ben Affleck will play the Caped Crusader for its Superman and Batman team-up movie.

Jokes (many of them imagining a Batman from South Boston) flew on Twitter. Petitions with thousands of signatures were launched to urge Warner Bros to rethink its decision.

Ben Affleck played a blind superhero in 2003's Daredevil

Affleck, just months ago the toast of Hollywood for his best picture-winning Argo, hasn't had so much scorn heaped on him since Gigli.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez starred in 2004's Gigli

The response, roughly equivalent to news of the apocalypse, was undoubtedly out of proportion. After the leaden, joyless Man of Steel, adding Affleck - an actor of light, easy charisma and an increasingly capable filmmaker - can only improve a franchise currently in the hands of Sucker Punch director Zach Snyder and the beefy but unremarkable Superman actor Henry Cavill.

Affleck is likely to be far from the biggest issue for the film, which is scheduled to begin shooting next year and be released in summer 2015. He has already proven to be a more interesting Superman, too, by playing a bitter George Reeves in the atmospheric 2006 docudrama Hollywoodland.

There's a long history of casting overreaction that's later turned out laughable. There were plenty of critics when Daniel Craig, who had the audaciousness of being blond, inherited James Bond. Some, too, questioned Jennifer Lawrence's suitability for Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. And who would have guessed that Michael Keaton would make arguably the best of all the Batmen?

Are there any actors you think have been wrongly cast in key roles? Comment below

But Affleck's casting speaks to a larger shift in this age of the superhero blockbuster. Affleck will be following in the footsteps of Christian Bale, the star of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy - the artistic apogee of the superhero movies, a series that treated its hero not as cartoon but a vessel for exploring themes of terrorism and justice.

The days of such aspirations, though, seem to be dwindling. Sam Raimi isn't shepherding Spider-Man anymore. Most of the most popular superheros are on their second or third reboot. After the success of Joss Whedon's The Avengers, Hollywood is looking increasingly to pairing its comics. Another Avengers film is on the way. And after the Superman-Batman movie, a Justice League film (with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman and others) is rumoured to follow.

These are the kinds of projects that could be seen as a sign of jumping the shark if this wasn't a movie genre built on men in tights. The superhero blockbuster, still the biggest draw at the multiplex - with US$408.2 million ($452 million) - Iron Man 3 is easily this year's biggest box-office hit, has made gimmickry a way of business, not a fault.

In the past, superhero movies didn't need stars: The brand was the main attraction.

But being a major star, Affleck comes with a lot of baggage that many expect will grate similar to how George Clooney did in Joel Schumacher's 1997 Batman and Robin - a film so bad, it's often been cited as a catalyst for more serious, dramatic interpretations of superheros.

It's ironic because Affleck has appeared to ape the career of Clooney (a producer on Argo) by shifting into directing and flirting with politics. Affleck, 41, will take on Batman at a slightly older age and in a more established place in his career. But he'll be best to listen to another piece of advice from Clooney: At least don't let them put nipples on the Batman suit.

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Lighten up and let 'em speak

IF the hundreds of votes pouring into our poll are any guide, Australians would prefer their leaders to say what they think and get their messages out without fear of a pasting from political correctness.

Radio station 2UE played audio of a young trainee journalist attempting to ask Mr Rudd a question in Western Sydney today, the PM apparently laughing it off then asking if there were instead any questions from working journalists. As the exchange followed the kerfuffle of Mr Rudd's perceived rudeness to a make-up artist, he has been accused of being dismissive.

Of course, Mr Abbott's "shut up" and "sex appeal" comments have also brought out wagging fingers during this campaign.

Are we straightjacketing our leaders, or does this just come with the territory? Vote in our poll in the blog of the day's events below to tell us what you think:

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Hird stands firm as talks continue

Julian de Stoop brings you the latest news from Windy Hill after James Hird cancelled his planned public response to the AFL at the last minute.

ESSENDON is locked in talks with the AFL that could see James Hird stand down as coach.

Hird left Windy Hill declaring he will stay on as coach, two hours after Bombers assistant coach Simon Goodwin insisted Hird would lead Essendon against Carlton tomorrow.

But discussions with the AFL in a bid to end the dispute could result in Hird standing aside and the club being stripped of its 2013 premiership points - ruling it out of the finals.

The Bombers could retain their draft picks under the deal, The Australian reports.

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU, JAMES

GET LIVE UPDATES ALL DAY AND JOIN THE DEBATE BELOW

Under the proposed settlement Hird would be free to continue his legal action against the AFL and defend the charges against him.

James Hird was MIA at Windy Hill this morning as one of his assistants, Simon Goodwin, addressed the media.

Yesterday, Hird launched Supreme Court action against the league over its handling of the drugs investigation.

The Essendon coach lodged documents in the Supreme Court alleging that in February AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and his deputy Gillon McLachlan tipped off the club about investigations into drug use at the club.

HIRD ON ROPES AFTER BODY BLOWS

BOMBERS COACH DEFIES TIDE

He was due to front a huge media pack at Windy Hill this morning but Goodwin took his place in a last-minute switch. Hird told reporters later that he was busy preparing for tomorrow night's match against Carlton.

James Hird at his house in Toorak today. Picture: Hamish Blair

He answered only a couple of questions as he got into his car outside the Bombers headquarters, saying the phone call from a player's mother to radio station Triple M yesterday was "very concerning".

"I think the welfare of our players is something that we all hold in high regard and are very concerned about, so it was very concerning to hear it," Hird said.

The first question asked of Goodwin was whether Hird would definitely coach tomorrow night.

"As far as I know he's definitely going to be senior coach, yes," Goodwin said.

"It's obviously been a very difficult time for everyone, a very stressful time, but to James's credit he has been outstanding with the players, his No.1 thing has been about the players and making sure this team performs. I think now we're really looking forward to Saturday night and putting on a good performance against Carlton."

Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon speaks on behalf of the 17 clubs who will support the AFL through the ongoing Essendon saga.

Goodwin defended Hird over an emotional phone call yesterday from a woman claiming to be the mother of a young Essendon player who said Hird had made the drugs saga all about him.

"It was hard to listen to for anyone involved in the footy club," Goodwin said.

"I think our primary concern from a club's perspective has been the players and their families.

"The club has been fantastic in really looking after the parents and making sure they're well educated, and I think they're going to continue to have that support."

EXPERT WARNS OF CANCER LINK

Goodwin also disputed reports that some players were considering their future at Windy Hill.

"Not that I've seen ... the players have been absolutely resolute," Goodwin said.

Eddie McGuire leads the presidents out of the meeting today at AFH House. Picture: Tim Carrafa

"They want to be here."

He praised young midfielder Jake Melksham for re-signing with the club this week.

Essendon's media spokesman said Hird was "stuck in meetings" and was unavailable to speak.The team trained for about 20min at Windy Hill this morning, with Hird on track for about 10min.

He received strong support from about 100 loyal Essendon fans, with one yelling "Stick it up em, Hirdy!" as he emerged from the players' race while several held banners of support.

There was also a special cheer with club doctor Bruce Reid emerged, one fan calling out "We love you, Doc"

Demetriou this morning said he didn't see the drugs crisis as a personal battle with James Hird.

"These headlines are certainly not of my making. I've consistently maintained that James Hird has been a great contributor, he's a legend of the game ... and he's entitled to have his say and put his case forward," he said on 3AW.

"I don't get personal and I'm not interested in that sort of thing."

The mother of an Essendon player says the AFL club have created the worst nightmare for parents such as her.

Demetriou repeated it would be best for the game if the issue was resolved before the finals and said there was still an open invitation for Essendon to attend Monday's commission meeting despite the club asking for a deferment.

"If they still want to show up on Monday obviously they can, but at this stage it will be up to lawyers to decide when that date will be in the future. But it is important to get this resolved.

Demetriou also refuted the allegations in Hird's Supreme Court writ.

"It was impossible to tell Essendon anything when I was not privy to the information," he told ABC radio.

Demetriou said he had yet to discuss the writ with the AFL's legal counsel, but he did not believe it would stop him sitting on the AFL Commission when it heard the case against the Bombers.

21 August 2013 will go down in Australian sporting history as the day that the AFL and one of its oldest clubs, Essendon, declared war on each other.

Last night, Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon said the 17 clubs had met without the AFL and Essendon and "resolved to unanimously support the integrity of the AFL Rules".

HIRD'S DRUG-FREE COURT CHALLENGE

After almost three hours of crisis talks at AFL House, one club president told the Herald Sun: "The 17 clubs have had enough.

"We want it resolved and we want it resolved within the AFL structure. The mood among the presidents was thatEssendon has been fast and loose, and we have to protect the game.

"We all believe Essendon has a right to defend itself, but none of us want one club to stuff up the competition."

Essendon coach James Hird wants to have the charges against him heard by an independent tribunal.

Gordon said: "In our view, it is of paramount importance that every effort be made to resolve these matters within the AFL industry. We wish to unanimously express our confidence in the AFL Commission and AFL management.

"In the meantime, we call upon all parties to exercise restraint and discretion in any public comments about this matter, and with the safety and welfare of players and their families and the integrity of the game as the paramount considerations."

CAREY BACKS HIRD OVER AFL 'CONFLICT'

Bombers chairman Paul Little declared on Wednesday that his club had "lost total confidence in the AFL executive".

The club declined to comment, but high-level talks to resolve footy's greatest fight are believed to be continuing.

Finals are just 15 days away.

The Bombers are guaranteed a berth in an elimination final - if their points are not docked as punishment for their 2012 supplements program.

PLAYER'S 'MUM' SLAMS HIRD, CLUB

Hird took charge of training and showed no sign of standing down ahead of tomorrow night's clash with Carlton at the MCG.

Before the meeting, Port Adelaide president David Koch walked in, saying: "No one wants a slanging match.

"I think there are all sorts of questions that everyone has on where we're up to.

"We just want as much information as we can. We all have a duty of care to our players and that includes having the very best information."

Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold said: "It needs to end as soon as it can.

"I'm really concerned about the good of the game and the effect that it's having on the sport in general, on the kids out there.

''The other codes in Australia must be looking at us and rubbing their hands in glee."

HIRD CLAIMS 'TIP-OFF' IN COURT ACTION

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said: "We all read (the charges) yesterday and it wasn't great reading. I go in with an open mind."

"Sticks" would later leave, backing the AFL.

This morning, Former Kangaroos CEO Eugene Arocca said Essendon had backed Hird until now but it should be looking after itself.

"There's obviously an argument or view that things are starting to split up and the football club is always first and should always be first," he told 3AW radio.

"It seems to me that outside of it at some stage those interests are going to diverge and the club has to make a call. It's hurting the club."

On radio earlier in the day the mother of an unnamed Bombers player directed an on-air tirade at the club.

"It's all right for James and the board of Essendon to say they have not cheated," she told Triple M.

"The whole question is not about cheating. The whole question is about morals, it's about ethics and it's about the trust that the parents put on the club for the club to take care of their child, their kids."

The club said it couldn't identify the caller.

James Hird's writ detailed a meeting on February 5 where McLachlan allegedly told club officials: "You can't say Essendon did not use drugs, because my information is you have used them.

"(AFL integrity officer) Brett Clothier knows the names of the drugs and he will be here soon.

"The Australian Crime Commission is going to hand down a report. There is going to be a meeting of all the (sporting) codes.

GOLDEN BOY A MAN OF STEEL

"If you come forward earlier and invite ASADA to investigate, then the investigation will look better for you."

The AFL declined to comment.

ACC chief John Lawler said: "Given legal proceedings have been initiated, it would be inappropriate for the ACC to make any further statement at this time."

Hird is arguing in court for the convening of an independent tribunal and the removal of Demetriou and other AFL commissioners from any hearing.

He is also seeking:

PROPER particulars of the charges against him.

DETAILS of the witnesses the AFL proposes to call.

COPIES of all documents the AFL will seek to tender.

DETAILS of the substance of the evidence they will give.

It is expected that Hird's legal team, led by Julian Burnside, QC, will front Monday's AFL Commission to repeat its demands, despite the other clubs' resolve.

- with Warwick Green, Michael Warner, Sam Edmund

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Now Tony makes up ... her name

KEVIN Rudd is facing a battle to retain his own seat of Griffith and senior Liberal figures confident the Prime Minister's Brisbane electorate is "in play".

The Coalition will intensify efforts to win Mr Rudd's seat - held with a margin of 8.46 per cent - in a move likely to force the PM to spend more time protecting his own backyard.

News Corp Aust understands the Coalition's internal polling suggests Griffith has tightened up considerably and a Guardian Lonergan poll - released on Thursday - contains alarming news for Labor.

The poll of 958 voters shows Bill Glasson, the former Australian Medical Association head and Liberal candidate, leads Mr Rudd by 52 to 48 per cent on a two party preferred basis.

The shock poll findings suggests Mr Rudd could follow the lead of John Howard, who was turfed out of his own seat of Bennelong when he lost the prime ministership in 2007.

However, a survey of Newspolls shows the coalition is in danger of losing up to four seats around Brisbane following a surge of Queensland support for Labor.

Catch up on earlier happenings and see how the day develops in our rolling coverage of the campaign below.

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Make-up artist slams 'rude' Rudd

Opposition leader Tony Abbott leaps to defence of make-up artist Lily Fontana, but calls her as 'Tilly'. Courtesy: Sky News

A MAKE-up artist who says she smoothed the complexions of Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott ahead of last night's people's forum has hinted that the Prime Minister was rude to her.

Lily Fontana, a Brisbane make up artist, took to Facebook after her encounter with the leaders, praising Mr Abbott but saying one of the men had treated her terribly.

GET THE LATEST NEWS WITH OUR CAMPAIGN TRAIL BLOG

"Just finished doing Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott's makeup for the People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club," she wrote.

A look at the original Facebook post Ms Fontana wrote. Source: News Limited

"One of them was absolutely lovely, engaged in genuine conversation with me, acknowledge that I had a job to do and was very appreciative. The other did the exact opposite! Oh boy, I have ever had anyone treat me so badly."

RUDD'S RUDE GAFFES

Ms Fontana has since removed the post writing: "Didn't think my personal page/opinion of my day would get so much attention. What a lesson to learn. I've removed the post and regret making the comments I did."

Her Facebook page is currently showing a "sorry, this page isn't available" message, though it's not clear if the issue is a technical glitch or if the page has been removed from the site.

An ALP spokesperson said no one from the Labor Party has been in touch with Ms Fontana.

Mr Rudd has denied he was rude to the make-up artist who prepared him for last night's debate, claiming to was a "misunderstanding".

Kevin Rudd says he was "in the zone" when his make up was being done last night.

Mr Rudd said Ms Fontana had withdrawn the post.

"I understand that the person concerned has withdrawn their remarks from Facebook, and they regretted making those comments," he said.

"When you are preparing for a debate with two or three minutes to go and someone walks in and puts stuff on your face, you smile, you are in the zone, you're ready to go-I don't know about you folks but I'm not happy about having make-up put on at the best of days.

"You smile, then two or three minutes later out on the stage to participate in the debate-I think a misunderstanding has occurred and I have no hard feelings in terms of the comments which this person has now withdrawn."

Ms Fontana has gone to ground, but a concerned friend responded to the post with an "uh oh".

The debate between Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott gets personal with the Opposition Leader having an unexpected dig at the Prime Minister.

"uh oh Lil, I've sent you an email," the friend said.

Meanwhile Mr Abbott struggled to remember Ms Fontana's name when he commented on the matter.

Mr Abbott, who today accidentally referred to make up artist Ms Fontana as "Tilly", said he was not aware of what Mr Rudd had allegedly done to upset her.

"I was pleased to be looked after by Tilly last night. I thought she did a great job making my craggy face as presentable as possible," Mr Abbott said.

"We had a great conversation.

Mr Abbott said he did not witness Mr Rudd's interaction with Ms Fontana because she applied his make up "in one room and I imagine the Prime Minister was looked after in another room."

"As for other conversations or lack of conversations (she had), I'll just leave that to Mr Rudd."

Mr Abbott has agreed to another people's forum with Mr Rudd, who he described today as misleading and a liar.

When asked about his outburst last night about whether Mr Rudd would "ever shut up", Mr Abbott said his opponent was "all talk and no action".

"One contest that I can never win against Mr Rudd is a talkathon," Mr Abbott said.

"I'm not against talk - my problem with Mr Rudd is he's all talk and no action and when he does take action it's invariably action that damages people."

SKY NEWS who broadcast last night's event said it had been made aware of the comments posted on Facebook by the freelance make-up artist.

"The individual is not a SKY NEWS staff member.

"The comments posted were extremely unprofessional and we do not agree with them.

"We understand the post has now been removed and she has expressed her regret over the matter".

Opposition Communications and Broadband spokesperson Malcolm Turnbull said he feels sorry for Ms Fontana.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition leader Tony Abbott pictured during last night's people's forum at Broncos Leagues club in Brisbane. Source: News Limited

"I do feel sorry for her and I think it's always very regrettable when people are rude to those who are not in a position to answer back," Mr Turnbull said.

"It's a rather disturbing insight into character.

"I would think being rude to make up artists is quite a dangerous thing to do; leaving aside a breach of common courtesy, they might make you up to look less flattering perhaps."

The scandal is a huge blow to Mr Rudd who had been relishing the largely positive response to his performance at the debate, including having landed a blow on Tony Abbott during the "shut up moment".

Hours earlier, he had appeared re-energised while delivering a rallying cry to union officials at the Geelong Trades Hall in the seat of Corio.

However, as details of Ms Fontana's post emerged, Mr Rudd visited a cafe in Torquay where he was asked by a customer how he was feeling.

"Battling, battling," he said.

Support for the make-up artist's post has appeared on her Facebook page.

Tayrn Byrne writes: "Unfortunately Lily there are people in society who can't see outside of their own little bubble to appreciate someone else's point of view. I was fascinated by your post and the different attitudes you experienced by these men Xx"

And Gavin Hagan wrote on her page: "It doesn't matter what side of the political fence anyone is on, there are leeches out there that will use any means they can to benefit, or put down others. Especially in the political arena. and particularly at this time.

" You did nothing wrong. Done worry about it. But your (sic) Famous now. More so than you were this time yesterday anyway. Enjoy the ride.

Make up artist Abigael Johnston backed up her friend Ms Fontana, saying Mr Rudd had previously been rude to her.

"I second this Lily. I have had a very similar experience!" Ms Johnston said.

Posting on Facebook Ms Johnston said: "Must run in the family as Mr Howard and Mr Costello were gentlemen with a capital G. Mr Abbott is following in their footsteps. The other, I could not even face book how he treated the crew. Just abhorrent!"

When contacted this morning Ms Johnston said the incident she referred to had occurred before Mr Rudd was Prime Minister.

Mr Rudd has a history losing his cool under pressure.

In 2009 the Prime Minister was forced to apologise to a RAAF stewardess after it was revealed he reduced her to tears when the meal he requested was unavailable on a flight from Port Moresby to Canberra.

"All of us are human, I'm human, I'm not perfect," he said at the time.

He was also embarrassed by the leaking of a video that showed him swearing repeatedly while recording a Chinese language message in Canberra a number of years ago.

Claims that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was rude to a make-up artist have revived memories of his infamous moment caught dropping the F-bomb on camera, in a leaked video from his previous stint in office.

On her website, Ms Fontana says she specialises in "attention to detail through creativity".

She says she works in make-up for weddings, magazines, TV, advertisements.

She does interstate work and work overseas.

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'My son was their next target'

15 year old James Edwards uploaded this video to Vine. Courtesy Vine

THE teenagers accused of murdering Melbourne baseball player Chris Lane were dobbed in by a local who claims his son was the trio's next target.

Chancey Allen Luna, 16, and James Francis Edwards Jr., 15 have been charged with first-degree murder over the fatal shooting in Duncan, Oklahoma. Michael Dewayne Jones, 17, was charged with using a vehicle in the discharge of a weapon and with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact.

James Johnson, 52, called the police to tell them that the accused killers were hiding in the car park of the Immauel Baptist Church car park at about 5pm, two hours after they allegedly shot Lane.

The Immanuel Baptist Church parking lot in Duncan, Oklahoma, where the three accused of killing Chris Lane last Friday were apprehended. Picture: Andrew Quilty Source: Supplied

"My son called me and said, "They're saying they're coming to kill me," so I called the police and they got here within about three minutes," Johnson told the Herald Sun.

Two boys who allegedly shot dead an Australian baseballer have been charged with first degree murder.

Mr Johnson claimed that Edwards Jr had threatened the life of his own 17-year-old son Christopher on Facebook. His son was at home with his mother and sisters near the church when he received the death threat.

"They threatened to kill my son because they are in a gang, the Crips, and were trying to get my son in it and I wouldn't let him do it.

"I told him he couldn't run with those boys. He's a little terrified."

Mr Johnson said the Crips, a predominantly African American street gang that began in Los Angeles in 1969 and had been in Duncan for the past few years.

James Johnson believes his his teenage son was the trio's next target. Picture: Andrew Quilty Source: Supplied

He said the group consisted of teenagers who he called "wannabes."

"I've been living here all my life and we never had this, but in the past few years gangs from Lawton have been coming here," Johnson said of the Crips.

Johnson's son also attends Duncan High School, where suspect Luna and Edwards Jr. were students. He said he knew both boys, and described them as "troublemakers" and "bullies" who had "no parental supervision."

"I'm just glad they found the other gun, because they haven't found the murder weapon yet," said Johnson.

Meanwhile, the US government says it is "deeply saddened" by the drive-by shooting murder.

"The United States is deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the death of an Australian citizen in Oklahoma," Ms Harf said.

"This is clearly a tragic death, and we extend our condolences to the family and the loved ones. We understand that local authorities are focused on bringing those responsible to justice. Clearly, we would support that."

The State Department's comments came after former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer urged Australian tourists to stay away from America to protest the need for stricter gun controls in the US.

Prosecutors have promised that the "thugs" charged over the brutal murder "will pay".

District Attorney Jason Hicks said outside the first court hearing in the Oklahoma town of Duncan that he was "going to do everything I can to ensure these three thugs pay for what they did to Christopher Lane".

"To those friends of ours in Australia, we would say to you this is not Duncan, Oklahoma," Mr Hicks said.

"This is not Stephens County, Oklahoma."

Stephens County Courthouse heard how one of the boys accused of murdering Lane, 22, danced and laughed as he was taken into a police station to be charged after the killing on Friday.

James Edwards, 15, was treating the murder as a joke, Mr Hicks told the hearing.

Mr Hicks told the court that Edwards has previously been in contact with police, and that he had "an attitude of total disregard for law enforcement" when he was being charged over Lane's death.

Revealed: Private lives of the accused

How the world press covered the shooting

"He thinks it's funny, and it's all a joke," Mr Hicks said.

"I believe he is a threat to the community."

Mr Hicks said Edwards kept a probation appointment for another matter at the courthouse just minutes after Lane was killed.

The girlfriend of a murdered Australian baseball player Chris Lane says she will cherish the memories their time together. Courtesy Channel Ten

"He was cold, callous and that was the demeanour that we saw throughout the course of the investigation," Mr Hicks said.

Edwards and Chancey Luna, 16, are charged with first-degree murder and face life in prison if convicted.

Mr Hicks said that Luna had refused to co-operate with police.

They were both refused bail.

James Edwards, 15, charged with first-degree murder. Source: Supplied

James Edwards takes a selfie. Source: Supplied

Chancey Luna, 16, charged with first-degree murder. Source: AP

Chancey Luna. Source: Supplied

Michael Jones, 17, was charged with using a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a weapon and accessory after the fact of murder in the first degree.

Bail for Jones, who is assisting prosecutors and police, was set at $US1 million ($A1.1 million).

The three will be tried as adults.

They were dressed in orange prison jumpsuits and had their legs shackled during the brief appearance.

Michael Jones, 17, charged with being an accessory to the killing. Source: Supplied

The court was told that the three boys spotted Lane jogging along a road in an upper-class area of Duncan on Friday.

They got into a car driven by Jones, drove behind Lane and then Luna shot him with .22 calibre revolver in the back, the court was told.

"The information we have was this was the person who pulled the trigger," the prosecutor said of Luna.

Edwards and Luna did not show any emotion, but Jones broke down in tears after Mr Hicks said he was looking at a "very, very lengthy prison sentence".

"I didn't pull the trigger," Jones said.

Chris Lane. Picture: Essendon Baseball Club Source: AP

Sarah Harper and Chris Lane. Source: Supplied

The courtroom was packed and divided.

In the front row sat about 20 family and friends of Sarah Harper, Lane's longtime American girlfriend. Ms Harper, 23, was not in court.

Cindy Harper told the Herald Sun her daughter was at home "trying to relax".

Another Harper family member said "this is surreal" as they were taken out a side door of the court building by sheriffs.

A few rows behind was a distraught Jennifer Luna, coming to grips with a nightmare 12 months that saw the death of her husband in a motorcycle accident and now the prospect her son could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jennifer Luna, right, the mother of murder suspect Chancey Luna, outside court. Source: AP

Jennifer Luna. Photo: Andrew Quilty. Source: HeraldSun

On the right hand side of the courtroom was James Edwards Sr, refusing to believe his son was a killer.

"Yes, I do," Mr Edwards replied outside court when asked if he believed his son, who hoped to be an Olympic wrestler, was innocent.

In the back left area of the court was Jones's parents and supporters, including his pregnant girlfriend.

She sobbed in her seat, eventually leaving the court before Jones came in.

Edwards and Luna did not appear to be fazed during their court appearance.

Even when Ms Luna stood up in court to answer an administrative question from Judge Jerry Herberger, her son didn't acknowledge her.

Edwards didn't look for family members.

James Edwards Sr believes his 15-year-old son is innocent. Source: AP

The sister of accused murder James Edwards is comforted by a friend, left. Source: HeraldSun

Asked if she had a message for the Lane family outside court, Ms Luna told the Herald Sun: "I feel sorry for them, my heart goes out to them, it really does, but that's my baby too.

"My boy was a baby too."

Luna said there were no guns at her house, and her son was at home playing X-Box with her soon-to-be stepson when she came home from work last Friday after finishing at 3pm.

It comes a day after Duncan Police Chief Danny Ford said he had secured the confession of Jones who had summoned investigators to his jail cell and claimed they were bored "so they decided to kill somebody".

Chief Ford said the teens had no motive other than to ''make a name for themselves''.

Prosecutor Jason Hicks, right, talks to the media following the teenagers' court appearance. Source: AP

Lane was staying with Ms Harper in Duncan before going back to Oklahoma's East Central University where he majored in finance and was the catcher on the team's baseball team.

Ms Harper yesterday revealed her heartbreak at losing her "best friend", and parents of the accused protested their innocence.

She also told the Herald Sun that she didn't know what punishment would be appropriate for the three teens.

Lane, who grew up in Oak Park in Melbourne's north, had only been back in the US for three days after an eight-week break in Australia with Ms Harper.

"I don't want them to have any future that Chris wasn't able to have as well," Ms Harper said of the accused yesterday.

"It's been pretty rough. It's been hard knowing he was taken so close to home, let alone taken in the way he was. To be pointed out like that …"

Ms Harper said she and Lane had joked about America's soft gun laws before he was shot.

"He wasn't a fan of guns," she said.

Sarah Harper next to a memorial along the road where Chris Lane was killed. Source: AP

A memorial to Chris Lane near where he was shot. Source: AP

She fondly described Lane as a smart, kind and curious guy who would "do anything for anybody".

Ms Harper, also a talented sportswoman, said she and Lane just "meshed together" within weeks of meeting at college in Oklahoma in August 2009.

"It was more of a personality (we had in common), not so much interests. He was intellectual, into world news, and I found that quite boring," she said.

"He really wanted to travel more. He loved the idea of seeing the world."

Ms Harper said she would come back to Australia to farewell Lane with his family.

"I'm probably going to go back and say goodbye with the people he loved the most," she said.

"It was a great time getting back there and seeing him in his element with all his favourite friends.

"It's going to be hard going back but it's something I need to do.

"Thank you to everyone who supported and loved Chris. I really appreciated it."

Christopher Lane's mother and sister. Source: News Limited

Shocked family and friends have been trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Peter Lane paid tribute to his son and said the family was still waiting on news from the US authorities regarding the repatriation of the body.

"There is not going to be any good come out of this. It was so senseless. There was nothing he did or could have done," Mr Lane said this week.

"It's happened. It's wrong and we just try and deal with it the best we can."

Flowers and a baseball have been placed on the home plate at Essendon Baseball Club with a message.

"A wonderful young man taken too soon," it read. "Why?"

College friend Marshall Veal added Lane had "brought light to each of us''.

"Lanes would have done anything in the world for all of us and we would do the same, he was a best friend, teammate, and most of all a Brother. We love you Laney."

Local Bill Renfrow, who lives just metres from the intersection where Lane was shot, said Duncan locals had erected a flower memorial for him at the site of the attack.

"It's sad to us, more than anything. It's shocking. He was a visitor in our country," he said.

"This is a very quiet neighbourhood, there's never any trouble here."

Essendon Baseball Club's match against the University of Melbourne on Sunday will be turned into a tribute to Lane to raise money for the family.

- with Stephen Drill Andy Burns and AAP

The father of baseballer Chris Lane says the murder of his son in a random drive-by shooting is senseless.

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Hird: They've ambushed me

The latest live news coverage and commentary from Australia's No. 1 media company.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has publically anounced the charges Essendon will be facing, while also confirming a meeting of all club presidents will be held in the near future.

A former member of the AFL's anti-drug tribunal tells AFL 360 the supplement at the centre of the Essendon scandal was "not illegal".

Essendon coach James Hird leaves his Toorak home after the AFL today released details of the charges the football club and its senior officials face. Source: HeraldSun

ESSENDON has declared war on the AFL, with coach James Hird saying he had been ambushed by the league with its release of charges against the club.

Bombers chairman Paul Little and Hird appeared at the Olsen Hotel in South Yarra to accuse the AFL of deliberately smearing Hird's reputation.

Hird said he would fight the charges released by the AFL, and revealed there was a different set of charges agreed to after a week's haggling.

Little said the fact the AFL had known AOD-9604 was not banned for six months but had not alerted the public was ''reprehensible''.

''That the AFL has known this for six months but let questions hang over the head of the club and most unforgivably our players, is reprehensible,'' he said.

''We do not consider the statement of charges is justified by the evidence gathered by the investigation. We have always maintained AOD-9604 is not a prohibited substance in 2011-2012 and advice of professional experts has supported this

''Since receiving these charges I have personally been in constant dialogue with the AFL in which both parties have attempted to have the charges reworked and reach common ground in relation to possible sanctions should the club plead guilty. The AFL was aware of the failings of the original charge sheet. The revised charge sheet has been posted on our website.''

"The AFL is determined to punish Essendon and the Essendon Football Club and the four individuals involved as though we were drug cheats.

"I cannot and will not accept that, like all football followers and football fans, I cannot accept that point of view and we want this matter resolved as soon as possible," Mr Little said.

A furious Hird again asked Andrew Demetriou to stand down from any commission hearing, saying an independent judge should hear any charges.

''The AFL today continued its trial by media of me. We only received notification minutes before the AFL charges were made public.

''Furthermore the letter from Bruce Reid released is a breach of due process. The letter released in isolation is designed to damage my reputation. These charges are denied and will be vigorously contested once the AFL provides due process.

''The announcement by ambush confirms the AFL is running an agenda, which continues to call into question its impartiality.

''The AFL should recuse themselves of any part of this case. And there should be a public hearing conducted transparently by an independent arbiter.''

Earlier, AFL chief Andrew Demetriou says details of the charges handed down to Essendon and four of its senior officials had to be released to end speculation.

But Demetriou was adamant the charges were purely alleged, and that the Essendon Football Club and its officials, James Hird, Danny Corcoran, Dr Bruce Reid and Mark Thompson, had "every opportunity" to defend themselves.

"The AFL highlights that the Statement of Grounds contains the charges only and their correctness or otherwise remains to be determined," Demetriou said today.

"The Essendon Football Club and other parties will be given every reasonable opportunity to answer these charges.

"There has been no predetermination of this matter by the AFL Commission.

"The AFL Commission has an open mind about whether Essendon has breached the AFL rules and regulations.

"I have decided that for the sake of everyone involved in the game – supporters, players, clubs and other key partners – that there must be transparency and clarity around this issue given the widespread speculation since the charges were announced on August 13."

Copies of the State of Grounds and ASADA report has been made available to the AFL Players' Association to distribute to Essendon players and their families.

AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick has also called a special meeting of the 18 club presidents for Thursday.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou fronts the media at AFL House. Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: HeraldSun

The Herald Sun last Friday exclusively revealed details from the charge sheets.

The charge sheets include revelations that:

ESSENDON players were to receive 1500 injections of AOD-9604 and Thymosin and more than 16,500 doses of Colostrum and 8000 doses of Tribulus.

THE program was to push the legal limits.

THE program involved the use of allegedly ``beneficial'' and ``exotic'' compounds.

THE program's fitness strategy and use of supplements varied sharply to previous practices at Essendon.

IT involved injecting players with abnormal frequency.

THAT club figures were aware that the implementation of the program was determined without meaningful input from appropriately qualified people.

Which type of Thymosin – banned Beta 4 or permitted Thymosin Alpha is not specified in the charge sheets.

Last night, a forner member of the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal claims he was told in February that AOD-9604 was safe and not prohibited.

Essendon champion Tim Watson today called on AFL chief Andrew Demetriou to explain why the AFL did not reveal the information earlier.

Dr Andrew Garnham, currently working as a consultant for the Essendon Football Club, said scientific evidence showed AOD-9604, the substance at the centre of the Bombers' supplements saga, had minimal side effects.

"Like all drugs, there are some side effects, but we know that those side effects are minimal," Garnham told AFL 360.

"The advice that I had at that time was that AOD-9604 was considered under section S2 of the anti-doping code and was regarded as not prohibited."

HIRD DEMANDS DETAILS OF CHARGES

Garnham said "preliminary laboratory work" suggested that AOD-9604 could repair injured cartilage, muscle and bone.

"(AOD-9604) may assist in the recovery of footballers where they obviously get fairly heavily knocked around in the course of the game, so it may just bring them up a day or two quicker," he said.

"I understand it was on the basis of that possibility that it may have been used by football clubs, but at this stage, from scientific perspective we could really say that evidence is way way too early to give it any credence."

MEDICS ALLAY PLAYER PARENTS' FEARS

Speaking on SEN radio this morning, Garnham could not say if the drug was legal in 2012 when it was a key part of the Bombers' controversial supplement program.

It is believed Essendon players and partners were given the same information last night at an information session at Windy Hill as the Bombers prepare to take on the AFL over the supplements scandal.

"This parents meeting is the fifth in a series of meetings we've had with parents. The club takes the task of briefing parents very seriously," Bombers chairman Paul Little said.

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When asked before the meeting whether the club would inform parents of the type of supplements administered to players, Mr Little replied, "We will wait to see what questions they ask about the supplements."

CHAIRMAN MUST STEP IN TO END STANDOFF

Essendon great Tim Watson left feeling vindicated following latest revelations on Bombers' drugs scandal.

Meanwhile, the AFL is running out of time to decide Essendon's fate before the finals after the Bombers requested an adjournment late yesterday.

Just hours after AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said he expected the case against the Bombers to go ahead as scheduled at Monday's AFL commission meeting, the club issued a brief statement saying it was not ready.

"Essendon Football Club has requested an adjournment of the hearing on 26 August." the statement said.

"Lawyers for the club requested the AFL advise which witnesses it would be calling, the evidence it expected those witnesses would give and specified procedural matters.

"As the AFL has not provided that information, the club is not in a position to proceed next week and that is why the matter needs to be adjourned."

Demetriou said earlier if the Bombers did request a delay, it would likely be granted.

The four individuals facing charges - coach James Hird, assistant Mark Thompson, football manager Danny Corcoran and club Dr Bruce Reid - had already been given more time to prepare their defences.

If the issue is not settled on Monday, it leaves only 10 more days before the start of the finals.

"If the AFL gives us the time we need to prepare for this, there is little chance it will be finished before the finals," Little said.

HOW THE AFL CAN PING ESSENDON

Talks are continuing between representatives of Essendon and the AFL in a bid to reach a settlement.

"The commission meeting is still going ahead next Monday because as I stand here we believe that Essendon Football Club will appear next Monday," Demetriou said earlier today at the MCG.

THOMPSON: I'M 90 PER CENT INNOCENT

"If there is an extension sought and granted, then we'll have to look at our options as the AFL Commission, but our assumption is that it's going ahead next Monday and I have no reason to believe that it won't."

If the club is found guilty, possible penalties include a fine, loss of future draft picks and being wiped of premiership points that would rule the club out of this year's finals - if the penalty is handed down in time

AFL BLINK A SMALL WIN FOR BOMBERS

Demetriou said he had no intention of bowing to Essendon demands he step aside from hearing the case, and repeated his preference for an open hearing, although that is yet to be confirmed.

Essendon coach James Hird says he's pleased he has more time to prepare to face charges against him.

He also said details of the charges against the Bombers were likely to be released "in coming days".

"It's important to make those public to answer lots of questions and put to bed some of the misinformation that's out there. I couldn't give you an exact day but it's our intention."

BOMBERS NEED A MIRACLE

Demetriou said it wasn't unusual for extensions to be granted for accused parties to prepare their defence - as happened last year in the Kurt Tippett saga.

"It's not unusual and it's appropriate if people want more time ... there are thousands of pages of documents and people need to prepare.

"It would be preferable to have the matter heard next Monday, particularly to provide certainty for not just the football industry but all our supporters but the supporters of the Essendon Football Club and the Essendon Football Club itself."

Last Tuesday, AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said: "The parties have been informed of the charges and that a hearing of the charges is scheduled to be held on Monday 26 August at AFL House.''

But all parties were informed by the league's lawyers that they would be granted extra time "to prepare adequately'' if required.

Melbourne, Australia - August 17th: Round 21: Essendon v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Essendon coach James Hird Picture: George Salpigtidis Source:

Charges of bringing the game into disrepute were laid by the AFL last Tuesday against the club, Hird, assistant coach Mark Thompson, football boss Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid over Essendon's 2012 supplements program.

Essendon's hopes of playing finals have recieved a boost, with the AFL providing extra time to prepare their defences.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said last month the league wanted the saga resolved before September.

"We're committed to bringing it to a head in August to ensure that we have a resolution of the issue prior to the finals series,'' McLachlan said.

"I think it goes to the heart of the integrity of our finals series.''

But the AFL and Essendon have been unable to strike a mutually acceptable deal.

- with Gilbert Gardiner, Al Paton and Angus Thompson

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First family photo of George

The first official photo of Prince William and his wife Catherine's baby son George.

THE first official pictures of Prince George since leaving the hospital were leaked online hours before the palace was ready to release them.

The images, which were officially released on Tuesday at 8am (AEST), were leaked on Twitter several hours before.

In a break with tradition, the images were taken by the Duchess of Cambridge's father Michael Middleton.

The intimate pictures were taken earlier this month at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, west of London.

A handout picture from Kensington Palace shows Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with their newborn baby boy, Prince George of Cambridge and Kate's black cocker spaniel, Lupo and the Middleton family pooch Tilly (beside the Duchess). Source: AFP

The image shows Prince George wrapped in a white blanket in his mother's arms while Prince William looks on from the left.

In his first TV interview since becoming a father, Prince William opens up about diaper changes, sleepless nights and managing baby George. Mana Rabiee reports.

Another shows them with the Middleton family dog, Tilly.

The release of the images follows William describing his son as a little "rascal", who reminds him of his mischievous brother Harry.

The Duke of Cambridge sat down with CNN at his home at Kensington Palace to speak about how he is enjoying being a new father to baby George.

"He's a little bit of a rascal, I'll put it that way," William said. "He either reminds me of my brother or me when I was younger, I'm not sure, but he's doing very well at the moment."

"He's growing quite quickly actually. But he's a little fighter - he wriggles around quite a lot and he doesn't want to go to sleep that much."

(FILES) A file picture taken on July 23, 2013, shows Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, holding her new baby son. Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate have named their new baby boy George Alexander Louis, Kensington Palace announced on Wednesday July 24, 2013. "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son George Alexander Louis. The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge," the palace said in a statement. AFP PHOTO / JOHN STILLWELL/FILES Source: AFP

William admitted he was "looking forward to going back to work" in order to catch up on some sleep.

His wife Catherine gave birth to little George on July 22.  William spoke of his pride at showing off his new son to the world from the steps of the hospital.

"I think more shock was the feeling I felt, but I was on such a high anyway, and so was Catherine, about George that really we were happy to show him off to whoever wanted to see him," he said.

"As any new parent knows, you're only too happy to show off your new child and, you know, proclaim that he is the best looking or the best everything. It's nice that people want to see George - I'm just glad he wasn't screaming his head off the whole way through," he said with a laugh.

William received praise for the relative ease in which he was able to secure his son's car seat but says it was not beginners' luck.

"Believe, me it wasn't my first time," William said, "and I know there's been some speculation about that. I had to practice, I really did - I was terrified it was going to fall off or the door wasn't going to close properly."

Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge hold George, the Prince of Cambridge, as they pose for photographers outside St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London. Source: AP

He said it was really important to him to drive his family away from the hospital

"I am as independent as I want to be, same as Catherine and Harry. We've all grown up differently to other generations and I very much feel if that I can do it myself, I want to do it myself," he said.

"There are times where you can't do it yourself and the system takes over, or it's appropriate to do things differently. But I think driving your son and your wife away from hospital was really important to me."

Despite being the future king of England, William said that didn't mean he got out of nappy duty.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge' new-born baby boy Prince George seen in a car seat outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"I did the first nappy, it's a badge of honour," he joked. "I wasn't allowed to get away with that. I had every midwife staring at me, saying: 'You do it, you do it.'"

William said the last month having George around has already changed him.

"The last few weeks for me have been a very different emotional experience, something I never thought I would feel myself. And I find, again it's only been a short period, but a lot of things affect me differently now," he said.

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Dr Rudd: Don't create a monster

PM Kevin Rudd confuses the Liberal candidates for Charlton and Dobell, and also refers to opposition leader Tony Abbott being 're-elected' in an appearance in Brisbane today. Courtesy ABC News 24

PM Kevin Rudd handles a model of a kidney during the lab visit and he announces a new medical research package in Brisbane. Source: News Limited

CLAD in a white lab coat, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was in science heaven, extolling the many benefits of advanced medical research.

He warned it would all be at risk under an Abbott government.

Holding aloft a 3D printed section of plastic DNA for the cameras, the prime minister explained it could be used as a scaffold for the eventual construction of new body organs such as kidneys.

``It's complex and it's hard work,'' he told researchers at the University of Queensland Translational Research Institute at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital.

PICTURES: Campaign trail- Day 16

He was launching a $250 million Medical Research Innovation Fund plus $70 million in additional funding for medical research centres.

Returning to a standard campaign theme, Mr Rudd told his audience Mr Abbott believed he had already won the election.

Mr Rudd says if Mr Abbott was up front about planned spending cuts to medical research and much more under the coalition government, people wouldn't vote for him.

He says he worries about the possible fallout if a Liberal government is elected.

``I worry about people's jobs, I worry about health workers, I worry about researchers, I worry about teachers, I worry about the real human beings who are affected by all of this.''

Get the latest updates all day from our teams on the election trail, here in our live blog:

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