Tag Archives: courtroom

Ashton Kutcher Popchips Ad Pulled Admist Racism Outcry

For a phony online dating ad – in which he stars on behalf of his role as Popchips’ “president of pop culture” – Ashton Kutcher dons multiple costumes and pretends to be four different eligible bachelors. There’s a character named Raj, for example, that features the actor in brown face and and with an Indian accent. And while it’s all meant to be in good fun, many on the Internet have not reacted with laughter. Ashton Kutcher Dating Site Commercial “I can’t imagine I have to explain this to anyone in 2012, but if you find yourself putting brown makeup on a white person in 2012 so they can do a bad “funny” accent in order to sell potato chips, you are on the wrong course,” wrote Anil Dash , a tech blogger, in response to the spot. “Make some different decisions.” And Popchips now has: the company has pulled the ad from YouTube and Facebook, while releasing the following statement: “The new Popchips worldwide dating video and ad campaign featuring four characters was created to provoke a few laughs and was never intended to stereotype or offend anyone. At Popchips we embrace all types of shapes, flavors and colors, and appreciate all snackers, no matter their race or ethnicity. We hope people can enjoy this in the spirit it was intended.” What do YOU think? Should the spot have been removed from the Internet?

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Ashton Kutcher Popchips Ad Pulled Admist Racism Outcry

Cate Edwards Leaves John Edwards Trial in Tears

Cate Edwards, the daughter of John Edwards, had to leave his trial on federal campaign violation charges yesterday after some upsetting revelations. She walked out of the courtroom, crying, as a witness started to describe an argument between her parents after a tabloid reported her dad’s affair. The former U.S. Senator faces charges of illegally using campaign contributions to cover up his affair with Rielle Hunter while running for president. Former Edwards aide Christina Reynolds testified about the day in 2007 when John and Elizabeth Edwards learned of the National Enquirer ‘s report. They were at the airport, and “Elizabeth was very upset… She was very vocal,” Reynolds said. “She stormed off and collapsed into a ball in the parking lot.” After aides helped Elizabeth Edwards get back to her feet and led her to a nearby restroom, “She seemed a little calmer,” said Reynolds, “then stormed out of the bathroom and tried to engage Mr. Edwards.” In an emotional outburst, Elizabeth reportedly told her husband, “You don’t see me any more,” and tore off her shirt and bra on the spot. John Edwards “didn’t have much of a reaction.” Elizabeth Edwards died in 2010 at age 61 after a long battle with breast cancer. Shortly before she passed, she left John, though they never divorced. John denied, adamantly, that he had an affair with Hunter, though he was later forced to admit it … as well as the fact that he fathered her love child. This was all too much for their daughter to take yesterday. After a brief recess, Cate Edwards, 30, a lawyer, returned to the courtroom. John Edwards, 58, faces up to 30 years in prison and up to $1.5 million in fines if convicted of the charges, which he adamantly denies. He admits myriad personal shortcomings, but denies diverting nearly a million dollars in campaign funds illegally for the Hunter cover-up. Former aide Andrew Young, who says he facilitated the cover-up, said Edwards called her a crazy slut when he learned Rielle was pregnant .

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Cate Edwards Leaves John Edwards Trial in Tears

Jennifer Hudson Exits Courtroom in Wake of Disturbing Photos

A day after taking the stand in the murder case against William Balfour – and breaking down when a photo of her mom was presented – Jennifer Hudson couldn’t handle being in the same room with the man accused of killing her relatives. Witnesses tell TMZ Hudson excused herself from the legal proceedings when prosecutors pulled out crime scene photos of Jennifer’s seven-year old nephew Julian, who was allegedly shot by Balfour in a fit of rage. He is also on trial for murdering Hudson’s mother and brother. David Otunga , Jennifer’s fiance and the father of her son, remained inside the courtroom after Hudson departed and, insiders say, jotted down notes about the crime scene. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Jennifer and her family.

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Jennifer Hudson Exits Courtroom in Wake of Disturbing Photos

Jennifer Hudson Exits Courtroom in Wake of Disturbing Photos

A day after taking the stand in the murder case against William Balfour – and breaking down when a photo of her mom was presented – Jennifer Hudson couldn’t handle being in the same room with the man accused of killing her relatives. Witnesses tell TMZ Hudson excused herself from the legal proceedings when prosecutors pulled out crime scene photos of Jennifer’s seven-year old nephew Julian, who was allegedly shot by Balfour in a fit of rage. He is also on trial for murdering Hudson’s mother and brother. David Otunga , Jennifer’s fiance and the father of her son, remained inside the courtroom after Hudson departed and, insiders say, jotted down notes about the crime scene. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Jennifer and her family.

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Jennifer Hudson Exits Courtroom in Wake of Disturbing Photos

Must See!: Superthug Fights Through Fat Bailiffs And Tasers To Escape From Courtroom! [Video]

This guy, Christopher, went State Property: Surveillance video from the courtroom shows 25-year-old Christopher Ruffin shoving a bailiff aside as he’s accompanied into a courtroom. The bailiff attempts to wrestle Ruffin to the ground as a second bailiff comes to his aid, but Ruffin manages to keep both men at bay before turning and running from the courtroom. One of the bailiffs shoots a Taser stun gun multiple times at Ruffin, who flees the courtroom with prongs and wires from the device hanging from his body. Ruffin runs down a hallway and past the security checkpoint on his way out of the building, with the two deputies trying to keep up. The deputies give up pursuit after Ruffin leaves the building and appear to call other authorities to assist. Ruffin had been sentenced prior to the escape to 90 days in the Butler County Jail on a probation violation. Police said Ruffin ran to an apartment complex on Patterson Boulevard and tried to get into a car, but the driver locked the doors before he could get in. Ruffin then was able to get into another car with a woman and her 2-year-old child inside, police said. While trying to get the woman to take him out of the area, police arrived, Ruffin fled and another foot chase ensued, officers said. Ruffin was arrested a short time later and taken to jail.

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Must See!: Superthug Fights Through Fat Bailiffs And Tasers To Escape From Courtroom! [Video]

Family Members Attack Accused Murderer In Court! [Video]

HAM! An all out brawl erupted during a hearing for an accused murder suspect in Springfield, Mass. Monday. Jose Santiago is accused of killing Jessica Rojas. When he walked into the courtroom two members of Rojas’ family tried to jump him moments before the hearing started. The two men, Edwin Rojas, who is the victim’s father, and Kenneth Soto, are charged with assault and battery on a public employee, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. More On Bossip! Played: The Most Embarrassing Ways These People Found Out They Got Cheated On Coupled Up: Kimmy Cakes And Kanye West Cozy Up For The Cameras In Paris, Kim Rocks Ye’s $5800 Giuseppes [Photos] Tale Of The Tape: Rih Rih Vs. Karrueche…Which One Should Breezy Take?! Karma Is A Mother: Poor Fantasia Dumped By Baby Daddy Cuz He Thinks He Loves His Wife!

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Family Members Attack Accused Murderer In Court! [Video]

*Raw Video* Joshua Jones Accused Cop Killer Acting Crazy In Court: “Does It Look Like I Can Afford An Attorney… Got Dammit!” [Video]

He’s the man investigators say shot and killed Master Public Safety Officer Sandy Rogers. On Monday, Joshua Tremaine Jones stood before Judge Donna Williamson for a bond hearing. “Do you want to be screened for an attorney?” asked Judge Williamson. “I don’t care!” Jones yelled back, grunting several times afterwards. After mouthing profanities to the few reporters in the room, he cursed at the judge, too. “Do you have the income to hire an attorney on your own?” she asked him. “Does it look like it? G** d******!” Jones answered back. It was something Cpt. Troy Elwell with Aiken County Sheriff’s Office had never seen before. “What I saw in court today was a very disturbing individual. He appeared to show no remorse for the actions he had taken. He was disrespectful to the judge and others in the courtroom while he was there,” Elwell said. Elwell says it’s essentially a slap in the face to an already wounded community. “It’s a crime that can’t be undone. It’s a terrible incident. And again, he just showed that much more disrespect for everybody involved in it today,” he said. Joshua’s father, James, was also there and acknowledged the public would view his son as a “monster”. He described his very son’s behavior as the work of Satan. “It’s got to be the work of Satan. It’s a spirit world that is way beyond us,” he said. James Jones said his son may possibly plead insanity. He says his son has a condition they’ve sought help to combat. Jones says Joshua was being treated at Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services before he was released to his care last fall. But the behavior today didn’t sway Elwell’s opinion. “I don’t think I could get any stronger feelings toward him, no matter how he acts. What happened in the courtroom today really doesn’t have any effect on my feeling toward the individual,” Elwell said. Jones’ bond for the weapons charge was set at $10,000. A circuit court will have to decide the bond for the murder charge. In the rare case they do set his bond for murder, he’ll still be on hold for possible charges in Richmond County. His father says the behavior may be because he’s off of his medications, but he wasn’t entirely sure about that. Jones has had a troubled past. He pleaded guilty in 2009 to weapons charges and served 108 days in the Aiken County Detention Center. Just last year, he was charged with giving false information and carrying a concealed weapon. His father says he shot himself in the head last year and said son stabbed him 10 years ago. Jones was 16 years old at the time. Turn the page to see the spectacle in court.

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*Raw Video* Joshua Jones Accused Cop Killer Acting Crazy In Court: “Does It Look Like I Can Afford An Attorney… Got Dammit!” [Video]

Joran van der Sloot to Plead Guilty to Murder?

Murder suspect Joran van der Sloot asked for more time Friday to decide how to plead as his trial opened in the death of a 21-year-old Peruvian woman. The Dutch citizen indicated that he was inclined to confess to the crime but doesn’t accept the aggravated murder charges sought by the prosecution. A three-judge panel ordered the trial to resume on January 11. When he was asked moments earlier by presiding judge Victoria Montoya to enter a plea to the murder charges, Joran van der Sloot answered: “I want to give a sincere confession, but I don’t agree with all the charges that have been placed on me by the prosecutor.” “Can I have more time to think about this?” The 24-year-old, lso the prime suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway, repeatedly shook his head when the prosecutor described how Van der Sloot allegedly beat and strangled the victim, intending to rob her. Van der Sloot long ago admitted to police that he killed Stephany Flores in his Lima hotel room on May 30, 2010. So what’s the holdup here? He claimed in that confession that he did it in a fit of rage after she discovered Van der Sloot’s connection to Holloway’s disappearance on Aruba. Police forensic experts have disputed that version of events. Defense attorney Jose Luis Jimenez said before the hearing that there was a 70% chance Van der Sloot would plead guilty, leading to a reduced sentence. Prosecutors are seeking 30 years for murder and theft. Jimenez contends his client was in a state of emotional distress and would “seek to reduce the charge from first-degree murder to simple homicide.” The latter carries a prison sentence of 8-20 years. Van der Sloot entered the courtroom in Lurigancho prison in Lima Friday morning in a blue blazer and faded blue jeans with a bulletproof vest. He sported a crew cut and an untucked long-sleeved shirt. He took off the vest in court, which lacked air conditioning, and fidgeted, yawning several times and slouching. That drew Judge Montoya’s reproach. “Sit up straight and show some respect for the court,” she told him.

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Joran van der Sloot to Plead Guilty to Murder?

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

Casey Anthony court-watchers line up fight

“It was crazy,” says Marnette Engel, 47, who drove two hours from Jacksonville to watch the proceedings. “These guys just got right in front of everyone. One lady got in a fight with one of the guys, and then her friend got involved. They were beating the crap out of each other.” Every night before the Casey Anthony trial, dozens of court-watchers line up, hoping to snag one of the 50 free tickets for a public seat in the courtroom. On most of those evenings, the people in line create a friend

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Casey Anthony court-watchers line up fight