07:59 PM EDT 07/04/2009
Crime & Courts
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Judge's Decision in Cyber-Bullying Case Sends Shockwaves
Originally posted 07/04/2009 01:00PM
Lori Drew says justice was finally served – though nearly three years late.
The defendant in the case of a MySpace hoax that ended in a girl's suicide applauded a federal judge for tentatively dismissing her conviction that could have resulted in up to three years in prison.
"In my view, it was proper that this case was dismissed, primarily because I simply did not do what the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles accused me of doing," Drew, 49, said in a statement Friday.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts
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'Joe and Katherine Jackson Want Those Children!'
Originally posted 06/29/2009 12:50PM
A custody battle may be brewing over the future of Michael Jackson's three children. Just four days after the singer's sudden death on June 25, Jackson's mother, Katherine, has filed a petition in Los Angeles Probate Court seeking legal guardianship of Jackson's three children.
"Joe and Katherine Jackson want those children!," a source close to the family tells PEOPLE.
Jackson had two kids – Prince, 12 and Paris, 11 – with ex-wife Debbie Rowe. His youngest son, Prince Michael II, 7, was born to an unnamed surrogate. Although Rowe is still the legal parent of the two older children, her next step is unclear.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Michael Jackson
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Michael Jackson Autopsy Underway
Originally posted 06/26/2009 12:45PM
As police make plans to conduct a second interview with Michael Jackson's doctor, the autopsy on the singer began Friday morning to determine the cause of his mysterious death, with Los Angeles County's top medical examiner conducting the procedure himself.
Jackson, 50, was declared dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on Thursday afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest in his home. His body was airlifted across town to the offices of the Los Angeles coroner for the autopsy that began fewer than 24 hours later.
Police already interviewed the physician who was present with Jackson at the time he was stricken, and contrary to reports the doctor "is not a missing person," says LAPD spokeswoman Officer Karen Rayner. The doctor "needs to be interviewed further," but the interview "just has not happened yet," she said. The doctor's car was impounded because "it contains potential information, medications or other evidence," she added.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Michael Jackson
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Billy Bob Thornton's Daughter Indicted in Baby's Death
Originally posted 06/25/2009 07:30AM
The eldest daughter of Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton was indicted Wednesday on several charges – including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter – in connection with the October 2008 death of a 1-year-old girl she was baby sitting in central Florida
Amanda Brumfield, 29, was booked at the Orange County Jail, where she is being held without bail, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Billy Bob Thornton
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Jonathan Rhys Meyers Held After Airport Brawl
Originally posted 06/24/2009 12:45PM
Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers was detained by French police on Saturday afternoon following an incident in which he allegedly assaulted an airport lounge employee while drunk, Agence France Presse reports.
The Irish actor, 31, was placed in custody for several hours for having a skirmish with bar employees and allegedly punching one at the Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris, according to reports.
The incident began when a bartender at the café area "Le Quotidien" in the departure area of the airport at terminal 2F refused to serve the actor, who appeared drunk, according to the news service. A shouting match developed between Rhys Meyers and the bar manager. Then when another bar employee tried to separate the pair, Rhys Meyers swung and punched the intervening waiter.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
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Can Chris Brown Make a Rebound?
Originally posted 06/23/2009 08:20PM
Chris Brown won't go to jail for assaulting Rihanna. The question now is whether his plea-bargained penalty – community labor, probation, domestic violence classes – will reform his behavior and save his career.
PEOPLE readers overwhelmingly said justice wasn't served Monday when Brown reached a deal with prosecutors in exchange for pleading guilty to felony assault. But some experts take a more forgiving view, saying the R&B star is already off to a good start.
"In accepting a plea bargain, you're accepting responsibility for your behavior," says New York City clinical psychologist Jeffery Gardere. And by taking the court-mandated classes, Brown will be forced to face the issues that led him to become violent in the first place. (Brown has said that as a child, he witnessed his mother being abused.) "Part of those classes is talking about what happened as well as learning what your actions can do to victims and to yourself," he says.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Chris Brown, Rihanna
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POLL: Do You Agree with Chris Brown Plea Deal?
Originally posted 06/23/2009 09:45AM
Chris Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault against Rihanna but will not go to jail, instead reaching a plea agreement that gives him five years probation, six months of community labor and domestic violence classes.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Chris Brown, Rihanna
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Chris Brown Avoids Jail Time in Rihanna Assault
Originally posted 06/22/2009 05:00PM
With Rihanna set to break her silence in her assault case, Chris Brown reached a plea agreement that spared him jail time, it was announced Monday.
Brown, 20, will be sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labor to be served in Virginia. He will also complete a year of domestic violence classes, and pay fines. In exchange, he pleaded guilty to felony assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury.
"Mr. Brown, I think it's commendable that you took responsibility for your conduct," said Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Chris Brown, Rihanna
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Accused Craigslist Killer Pleads Not Guilty
Originally posted 06/22/2009 03:25PM
Accused Craigslist Killer Philip Markoff pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that in April he lured masseuse Julissa Brisman, 25, to a Boston hotel, then bound her, beat her and fatally shot her.
Speaking clearly during his arraignment in Massachusetts's Suffolk County Superior Court, the former Boston University medical student, 23, replied "not guilty" when asked to respond to seven criminal charges that include kidnapping, armed robbery and weapons violations, according to news reports.
A tentative trial date was set for June 2010.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Philip Markoff
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Rihanna Set to Break Silence in Chris Brown Case
Originally posted 06/22/2009 01:40PM
Rihanna's day in court has arrived.
Subpoenaed by prosecutors, the singer, 21, entered a Los Angeles courthouse for a hearing Monday in which she's been called to testify against Chris Brown, 20.
Emotions will likely run high as Rihanna relives the events of Feb. 8 when she was allegedly bruised and bloodied by Brown, who also entered the courthouse and will be seated just feet away from the witness stand. Cameras won't be allowed in the courtroom.
Permalink | Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Chris Brown, Rihanna
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