Tag Archives: guilty-verdict

Black Juror In O.J. Simpson Trial Describes Not Guilty Verdict As “Payback For Rodney King”

O.J. Simpson Trial Juror Admits Not Guilty Verdict Was “Payback” Ezra Edelman’s five-part ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “”O.J.: Made In America” examines the long history of police brutality against Blacks in Los Angeles, including the Rodney King beating — wherein 4 officers beat an unarmed driver nearly to death, eventually to each be found not guilty of any crime. In part 5 of the documentary, O.J. Trial Juror Carrie Bess admits that she and about 90% of the other jurors were somewhat looking for payback for the mega controversial Rodney King not guilty verdict from three years earlier. In a clip previewed on public radio show “Fresh Air” earlier today, Bess let it be known that the LAPD’s dirty dealings were at the forefront of jurors’ minds as they deliberated the details of O.J.’s case : Interviewer: Do you think there are members of the jury that voted to acquit OJ because of Rodney King?Bess: Yes. Interviewer: You do? Bess: Yes. Interviewer: How many of you do you think felt that way? Bess: Oh, probably 90 percent of them. Interviewer: 90 percent. Did you feel that way? Bess: Yes. Interviewer: That was payback. Bess: Uh-huh. Interviewer: Do you think that’s right? To this question, Bess simply tosses her hands up in the air. Since pretty much EVERYONE is clear that O.J. more than likely committed the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman, do you think the jurors were wrong for seeking the only vengeance they felt Black Americans could get at the time through this controversial case?? ESPN / Getty

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Black Juror In O.J. Simpson Trial Describes Not Guilty Verdict As “Payback For Rodney King”

SMH: California Big Head Bandit Freed In Error By Jury Is Stabbed To Death Later After Returning Home

Freed and then later killed …. California Man Freed In Error By Jury Is Stabbed To Death A defendant in a Central California burglary case walked out of a courtroom a free man after a jury mistakenly signed a not-guilty verdict form — only to be killed hours later. Via NY Post reports: The flabbergasted judge said Wednesday that he had no choice but to order defendant Bobby Lee Pearson to be released from jail because the not-guilty verdict had been put on the record, The Fresno Bee reported. After it was too late, jurors told the judge they were hung on the charges against Pearson. Prosecutors might have had an opportunity to retry Pearson in the case of a hung jury. “I can’t believe it,” Superior Court Judge W. Kent Hamlin said after he ordered Pearson to be set free. Hours later, Pearson was stabbed to death after going to a home to get some clothing and belongings, Fresno police Sgt. James Rios said. He apparently got into a fight early Thursday with his sister’s boyfriend, who Rios says then stabbed him. The two apparently had a long history of problems. The boyfriend’s name has not been released. Hamlin said Wednesday that he couldn’t change the verdict form because double jeopardy was already attached. “This has never happened to me in more than 100 jury trials that I have done,” he said. Pearson and two co-defendants were accused of burglarizing an apartment last year and stealing a video system and a gun. The homeowner allegedly caught the intruders and wrestled with one of them. Jurors returned a guilty verdict against Pearson’s co-defendant, Terrel Minniweather, and the mistaken not guilty verdict against Pearson before lunch Wednesday. Hamlin asked the jury whether that was in fact its verdict against Pearson, and all 12 nodded yes, the Bee reported. The jurors were then asked to return after lunch for a potential second phase of the trial. The confusion over the verdict against Pearson came to light during lunch, when one juror told court staff that he had voted to find Pearson guilty, said Linden Lindahl, an attorney for Minniweather. Jurors said they were confused by the forms, one of which was for a guilty verdict and the other for a not guilty verdict. One juror said there was no form they could sign that indicated the jury was deadlocked. Lindahl said he was surprised by the jury’s confusion, since the judge “did everything by the book.” Cold world!

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SMH: California Big Head Bandit Freed In Error By Jury Is Stabbed To Death Later After Returning Home

New York Mag Says Jay-Z’s Reebok Deal Is The Model For All His Biz Ventures

This week’s New York magazine features an extensive profile of Jay-Z. Titled “1 Million, 2 Million, 20 Million/Oh, I’m So Good At Math,” a line from “Somewhereinamerica” from his new Magna Carta Holy Grail album, the story includes plenty of biographical tidbits you may already know but focuses, and marvels, at Hova’s business acumen… Continue

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New York Mag Says Jay-Z’s Reebok Deal Is The Model For All His Biz Ventures

Police Clash With Demonstrators During Nationwide Trayvon Martin Protests [Photos]

All over the country people took to the streets Sunday (July 14) for mostly peaceful protests honoring the life of Trayvon Martin, after his accused killer was acquitted of all charges. Adding to those in South Florida where the second-degree murder trial of shooter George Zimmerman was held, hundreds in New York City, L.A., Washington D.C., and other cities, rallied for justice after the not guilty verdict in the teen’s slaying… Continue

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Police Clash With Demonstrators During Nationwide Trayvon Martin Protests [Photos]

Dr. Conrad Murray: You Want Me to Pay, Too?!

Dr. Conrad Murray wants the judge in his criminal manslaughter case to deny Michael Jackson’s family restitution, arguing that MJ was responsible for his demise. Murray was convicted and sentenced for involuntary manslaughter already. That is set in stone. However, he is still fighting the restitution the star’s family seeks. Murray is asking for evidence the defense never received during the trial – evidence he claims could show Michael self-administered the fatal dose of Propofol. Murray’s lawyer, J. Michael Flanagan, argues that – guilty verdict aside – in deciding how much restitution the family gets, the victim’s responsibility matters. So Murray will concede he’s partly to blame (he can’t argue otherwise because of the conviction) but he still wants to prove that Jackson caused his own death. The prosecution is asking for around $100 million in restitution, but the judge hasn’t decided on a figure. The level of culpability will ultimately play into that. Once the figure is set, if Flanagan gets his way and the judge were to decide MJ was 50 percent responsible, the judge would reduce restitution by 50 percent. Also complicating matters? Murray is pretty much broke, and if anything, Jackson’s family has profited from his death. So … the judge has a lot to ponder.

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Dr. Conrad Murray: You Want Me to Pay, Too?!

Michael Jackson Family Cheers Conrad Murray Verdict

Michael Jackson’s family members were understandably thrilled by Monday’s guilty verdict against Dr. Conrad Murray , feeling that justice was finally served. Throughout the doctor’s six-week involuntary manslaughter trial, his brothers and sisters always felt his presence. Now they can take some solace in a victory. MJ’s family cried, shouted and finally gave a sigh of relief – literally, in the case of La Toya Jackson, heard in the video below – after the judgment was read. Dr. Conrad Murray Verdict Reading “He was in the courtroom and that’s why victory was served,” La Toya told CNN Headline News while leaving the courthouse through a swarm of reporters. Added his other, less ridiculous sister Rebbie: “I’m just happy it’s over with. Nothing will bring him back, but I’m just happy (Dr. Murray) was found guilty.” Jackson’s mother Katherine quietly dabbed tears, then went home to tell Michael’s kids the verdict. As she did throughout the trial, she did not allow them to attend nor watch on TV, but provided them first-hand updates herself every day. “We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and we couldn’t hold back tears in the courtroom,” Katherine, 81, told TMZ in a brief statement. Did the jury get it right?

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Michael Jackson Family Cheers Conrad Murray Verdict