BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A woman who says she was raped by late R&B singer Rick James when she was 15 years old is suing his estate for $50 million.
The unidentified plaintiff says James raped her while she was staying at a group home in Buffalo, New York, in 1979. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday against the James Ambrose Johnson Jr. 1999 Trust, which is run by the singer’s estate. The suit was filed under the Child Victims Act, which opened a one-year litigation window for victims who were once blocked by the statute of limitations.
In the lawsuit, the woman said James was visiting one of the parents at the group hope. She said he came into her room after dinner and raped her.
“He grabbed my hair and pushed my head into the pillow,” she said in the suit. “I tried to fight him off, but he told me to ‘shut up and quit moving or I’ll cut you.’”
The woman says she has suffered “physical, psychological and emotional injury” due to the alleged assault.
A representative of the trust did not respond to requests for comment from The Buffalo News.
James, a Buffalo native, was convicted in 1993 of assaulting two women. The first case occurred in 1991, when prosecutors said James and his girlfriend tied a woman to a chair, burned her with a hot crack pipe and forced her to perform sex acts during a cocaine binge at his West Hollywood home. He was free on bail when the second assault occurred in 1992 in James’ hotel room. He served more than two years in prison.
He was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Aug. 6, 2004.
LINCOLNTON, N.C. -- A mother is outraged after she said hospital security officers and a deputy attacked her 16-year-old son as the teen was having a mental health crisis.
Jessica Long said she tried to get her son Hayden help in December by taking him to Atrium Health-Lincoln in Lincolnton, North Carolina, about 30 miles outside of Charlotte.
"I was still thinking these men will help. Their goal will be to help me help my son, and they didn't do that," she said.
Hospital footage obtained by the family's attorney shows Hayden shoving his mom as she waves for help.
A security guard then pushes the teen down twice and pulls out a stun gun.
As Hayden walks back toward the car, a second security guard grabs him by the neck and tackles him from behind, leaving him bleeding.
Then, Deputy Justin Polson arrives, and authorities said Hayden spit blood in his face. The video then shows Polson responds by punching the handcuffed teen twice in the head.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Deputy Justin Polson is no longer an employee as of Saturday.
Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam had originally defended Polson, claiming he "had a reaction to a felonious assault."
Despite the video, Beam told WBTV earlier this week that Polson didn't punch the teen, saying, "All I saw was once, and he was pushing him back away. No, he did not punch him in the face."
Now the sheriff's office tells ABC News: "Deputy Polson is no longer employed with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office."
The 16-year-old is facing multiple charges, including felony assault of a law enforcement officer. His mother said she was just trying to get him help.
"I took him to an emergency room, and he was treated like a criminal by everybody. Nobody ever treated him like a patient," she said.
Atrium Health defended those guards' actions, claiming that Hayden was threatening to shoot them.
"The officers did what was appropriate to contain the situation," a representative from the hospital said.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 16, 2020 at 11:00am
There aren't many hip hop projects that are released these days where it's impossible to skip a track.
Two years ago today, Nipsey Hussle did just that when he dropped his classic debut album titled "Victory Lap." The project debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with 53,000 units sold.
On January 8, 2020, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
"Victory Lap" struck a chord from hood to hood with songs like "Rap Niggas," "Last Time That I Checc'd," "Dedication," "Double Up" and "Real Big."
Neighborhood Nip definitely delivered with this one. Rest in Peace Neighborhood Nip. The Marathon Continues.
"Loaded Bases" featuring CeeLo Green and produced by Jake One is my personal favorite off of the album ... what is yours?
Tracklist:
01. Victory Lap (feat. Stacy Barthe) (3:58) 02. Rap Niggas (3:46) 03. Last Time That I Checc’d (feat. YG) (3:45) 04. Young Nigga (feat. Puff Daddy) (3:56) 05. Dedication (feat. Kendrick Lamar) (4:05) 06. Blue Laces 2 (4:10) 07. Hussle & Motivate (4:18) 08. Status Symbol 3 (feat. Buddy) (5:05) 09. Succa Proof (3:21) 10. Keyz 2 the City 2 (feat. TeeFlii) (3:05) 11. Grinding All My Life (2:55) 12. Million While You Young (feat. The-Dream) (4:24) 13. Loaded Bases (feat. CeeLo Green) (3:11) 14. Real Big (feat. Marsha Ambrosius) (6:22) 15. Double Up (feat. Belly & DOM KENNEDY) [Bonus Track] (6:01) 16. Right Hand 2 God (Bonus Track) (3:07)
On today’s episode The Champs chop it up with legendary boxing champion Floyd Mayweather. The only boxer in the history of the sport with a record of 50-0, Floyd sits down with the Champs and talks about his boxing history and much more!
Stories of his battles with Connor McGregor, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, just to name a few, Money Mayweather beat them all! As he breaks down his battles inside the ring Floyd also talks about his battles outside the ropes.
In this episode Floyd opens up on how influential his Father has been to his career and how he evolved from “Pretty Boy” Floyd to “Money” Mayweather.
As we play another game of “Quick Time with Slime”, Floyd clears up rumors about T.I. and his relationship with 50 Cent. Money Mayweather gives us that mogul talk, discussing his business ventures with HBO and Showtime, and creating the ever popular shows “24/7” and “All Access”, respectively.
In this clip from People's Party, Talib Kweli and John Forte reflect on the famous DMX birthday roundtable freestyle session with Big Pun, Canibus, and Mos Def. They discuss John's verse and how significant that period was for the MCs even many years later, as well as how they industry has changed since then. Full episode arrives on Monday 2/17 at 9AMet/6AMpt.
Super producer and Serious Soundz CEO, V Don, comes through as promised with his fire "Black Mass" album. Features include Dave East, Dark Lo, ElCamino, 38 Spesh, Da$h, Eto, Smoke DZA, Willie The Kid, Rigz, Adonis, Sauce Heist, D. Polo and Kadeem.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 15, 2020 at 12:00pm
The Louisiana State Police on behalf of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office have issued a Level II Child Endangerment Alert.
The Louisiana State Police on behalf of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office have issued a Level II Child Endangerment Alert.
Detectives are requesting assistance in locating 12-year-old Adreana Miller. Adreana is approximately 4’7” and 135lbs. Adreana was abducted at gunpoint by her grandmother, identified as 66-year-old Evelyn Miller. Evelyn Miller is wanted for simple kidnapping, 5 counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, 2 counts of simple battery, and violation of a firearm-free zone.
Adreana was taken at gunpoint from 1516 Jefferson Highway at Ochsner Hospital in Jefferson Parish. At around 5:00 p.m. Friday, Evelyn Miller entered Adreana’s hospital room to remove her from the hospital. When hospital staff attempted to prevent her from leaving with the child, she pointed a firearm at several of them. In making her escape from the location, she pushed one nurse to the ground and struck a security guard with her vehicle. No one was physically injured.
Adreana was last seen leaving the hospital wearing a white Ochsner hospital gown. Evelyn Miller was last seen wearing a purple shirt and black pants. It is believed Evelyn was carrying a revolver style pistol.
Miller took Adreana from the hospital in a 2019 Toyota Sienna, which has since been recovered. It is unknown if they are traveling in a vehicle at this time.
Kobe Bryant fans are lining up to pay their final respects to the NBA legend and his 13-year old daughter, Gianna "GiGi" Bryant.
It's unclear how many seats remain available at the 20,000 seat Staples Center in Los Angeles. A number of them are already earmarked for friends, family, NBA officials and season ticket holders, but TMZ reports that 88,000 people have registered for a chance to attend the memorial, which will take place on February 24.
A lottery will be held for the people who registered on Tuesday. They will receive a code on Tuesday. If the demand exceeds the number of tickets available on Wednesday, fans will be selected at random to participate in the sale.
There are three ticket prices ... $224, 2 for $224 and upper deck seats for $24.02. 24 is the number Kobe famously wore and 2 represents GiGi's.
All proceeds will go to Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.
The memorial will be broadcast live on television and online.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — A man from Chepachet, R.I., was sentenced last week to three years in state prison and another two years at the Bristol County House of Correction after he pleaded guilty to charges of armed robbery and assault and battery on a police officer in connection with a North Attleboro bank holdup.
Prosecutors said Christopher Castillo robbed the bank on Dec. 5, 2016, after getting a ride there from a woman he had just met through a dating app. She’d picked him up at his parents’ house in Rhode Island then drove him to North Attleboro as he drank wine in the passenger seat, according to the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.
Castillo, 33, walked into the Bristol County Savings Bank, showed a teller a gun in his jacket and demanded $1,000 because he was “really hurting” and needed the money, prosecutors said.
After getting the cash, Castillo ran out and jumped back into the woman’s car. The woman later told police he ordered her to drive off as he carried the cash and gun as well as a hat and sunglasses.
She obeyed and started driving, according to prosecutors, but when she saw blue police lights, she pulled into a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot and bolted out of the car. Police did not charge her with any crime.
Prosecutors said police found Castillo still in the car then pulled him out as a struggle ensued. Castillo allegedly spat on the officers and said, “the gun isn’t even loaded.”
When the gun turned out to be an antique owned by a family member, police withdrew the charge against Castillo of carrying an illegal firearm.
Video Directed by Marc Diamond. Track produced by Antwan “Amadeus" Thompson, Anthony “Bruce Leroy” Barfield & Orrin “ Dr. O” Wilson of Velocity Music for Platinum Boy Music Inc. Audio Mixed & Engineered by Wizard Lee @ Feet 1st Studios Audio Mastered by Tatsuya Sato
Mýa is back with a new single official music video titled "The Truth."
Directed by Joshua Sikkema Produced by Planet 9 Hair: Vanessa Crittendon Styling: Neal St Onge
Lyrics written & arranged by Mya Harrison (Mýa) & David Brown (Lucky Daye) Music composed & produced by Orlando Williamson, Chaz D. Jackson, Ronald Ferebee Engineered by Joe Domovitch Mixed & mastered by Brandon Bishop
After viewing police body camera footage, the mother of a 6-year old girl who was involuntarily committed to a mental health facility for two days after having a tantrum at school, said she wants to know exactly what happened before officers arrived.
"I want answers. An apology would be nice, but it's not going to erase the pain that I feel watching that video knowing my daughter may have been provoked because their staff was irritated or maybe had a bad day and didn’t want to deal with a special needs child," Martina Falk said at a news conference on Thursday night.
Part of the body cam video shows the little girl calmly being escorted to a patrol car. In another part, an officer, who is off-camera, can be heard saying, "she's perfect, she's fine." One clip shows an officer suggesting school staff may be "pushing" the girl's buttons.
Falk's attorney, Reganel Reeves, said the staff at Love Grove Elementary knew the girl had a disruptive mood disordered and the third-party mental health professional licensed by the school should not have invoked the Baker Act, which allows the involuntary institutionalization and examination of a person who is deemed a threat to themselves and others.
"She had tantrums. Six-year-old kids have tantrums. Children with special needs have tantrums," he said.
Reeves said he believes having the girl taken into custody was an act of false imprisonment and a civil rights violation against a child with special needs.
Duval County Public Schools said it is up to a mental health professional to decide if a Baker Act is appropriate and not a decision the school district makes.