Too little, waaaaaayy too late Minority Zimmerman Juror Speaks Out And Says He Got Away With Murder The only minority on the 6-member all female jury who found child murderer George Zimmerman not guilty on all counts despite the fact that he stalked and then fatally gunned down unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin during an altercation is speaking out to tell her side of the story. Not only was she the only minority on the jury, but she was also the sole member who came close to going against the other 5 women and forcing them to declare a hung jury. via ABC News The only minority on the all-female jury that voted to acquit George Zimmerman said today that Zimmerman “got away with murder” for killing Trayvon Martin and feels she owes an apology Martin’s parents. She said the jury was following Florida law and the evidence, she said, did not prove murder. “You can’t put the man in jail even though in our hearts we felt he was guilty,” said the woman who was identified only as Juror B29 during the trial. “But we had to grab our hearts and put it aside and look at the evidence.” The court had sealed the jurors’ identities during the trial and still hasn’t lifted the order, but Juror B29 edged out of the shadows in an exclusive interview with “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts. She allowed her face to be shown, but — concerned for her safety — used only a first name of Maddy. The nursing assistant and mother of eight children was selected as a juror five months after she had moved to Seminole County, Fla., from Chicago. Despite the prosecution’s claim the Zimmerman profiled Martin because he was black, Maddy said the case was never about race to her, although she didn’t want to speak for her fellow jurors. But her feelings about Zimmerman’s actions are clear. “George Zimmerman got away with murder, but you can’t get away from God. And at the end of the day, he’s going to have a lot of questions and answers he has to deal with,” Maddy said. “[But] the law couldn’t prove it.” “Maddy” also revealed during the sit down with Robin Roberts that she was the one who almost caused the a “hung jury” verdict because she didn’t feel Zimmerman should be able to kill someone without getting charged. Check out what else she had to say, including a video clip of the interview, on the flip.
New Facts Revealed During The George Zimmerman Murder Trial As the trial continues in the case of self-appointed neighborhood watchdog George Zimmerman, who hunted and fatally gunned down 17-year-old unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin during an altercation that ensued following Zimmerman approaching Trayvon without merit, each day brings about new facts about the tragic night in February 2012 that left Trayvon dead and George Zimmerman a murderer. In addition to new facts, there have also been well-known facts reiterated by new witnesses and family members of both Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman, who have all taken turns testifying. Last week, we gave you a list of new facts about the case in case you haven’t had the chance to tune in to live trial broadcast, so now we bring you part 2. Take a look. Continue reading →
SANFORD, Fla. — The mother of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is on the witness stand at the trial of the neighborhood watch volunteer who is charged with murder…
It’s a wrap! Aaron Hernandez Denied Bail, Charged With Murder And 5 Gun-Related Charges According to TMZ reports : NFL star and murder suspect Aaron Hernandez has just been denied bail … meaning he’ll rot behind bars until his trial … and that could take forever. Hernandez was present in court today for a bail review hearing, where his lawyer begged the judge to release Hernandez from custody while he awaits trial. But the judge wasn’t moved by his arguments — that Hernandez is an upstanding citizen and family man with no flight risk — claiming the prosecution already had very strong evidence that Hernandez had committed the crime. As for the evidence … the prosecutor went through the entire timeline leading up to the murder of Odin Lloyd earlier this month, including matching shell casings found at the murder scene and inside Hernandez’ rental car. He also mentioned the photo TMZ posted last night — showing Hernandez brandishing a glock in the mirror 4 years ago — claiming it’s possible the murder weapon was also a glock. The prosecutor said they’d be seeking the max sentence for Hernandez … life without parole. Hernandez’ fiancee — who was also present in court — was inconsolable when the judge issued her decision to keep the NFL star behind bars. As we reported, Hernandez was remanded into custody yesterday following his arraignment and was ordered to be held WITHOUT bail. Hernandez has been charged with murder in the death of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. He’s also been hit with 5 gun-related charges. It could be months — even a year — before Hernandez gets his trial. Welp, there you have it. Peace, playa, it’s been real.
May this sick muhfugga rot in hell. We have been waiting for justice for Shaniya Davis for nearly four years and finally her killer has been sentenced. Via Fayetteville Observer reports : Jurors on Wednesday took 39 minutes to recommend that Mario McNeill be sentenced to death for killing 5-year-old Shaniya Davis in November 2009. A few “Amens” could be heard from the side of the courtroom where members of Shaniya’s family were seated. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons didn’t waste time after sentencing the defendant. May God have mercy on your soul, he told him. “Stand up, Mr. McNeill. You did not have to kill that child,” Ammons said. “Take him out of here now.” McNeill, 33, was cuffed and hastily led from the courtroom by the bailiffs and extra security detail. The verdict didn’t seem to faze McNeill, who appeared to mumble something to Ammons on the way out. He may have said, “I didn’t do it,” according to four observers in the courtroom. Earlier, McNeill had declined the judge’s opportunity to speak to Shaniya’s family, his feet swinging beneath the defendant’s table as he told the judge, “No.” Ammons then spoke to Shaniya’s family, including her 43-year-old father, Bradley Lockhart, and her half-sister, Cheyenne Lockhart. “I apologize,” the judge said, as emotion began to flush his face. “I apologize for referring to Shaniya as the victim. For talking about Shaniya’s body. I apologize for your having to go through all of this. I can’t give you justice. The jury has given you what we as humans – the best, we as humans do is give you justice. “I said a prayer for you every night of this trial, and I will continue to do so.” Only one juror – alternate Melanie Baker, 42 – agreed to talk to reporters. “This has been hard,” she said.”Throughout the proceedings,” she said, “we felt this was a game for him. Refusing to put on evidence and deciding not to testify. … There was no emotion on his face. All his laughing, giggling. There was no contrition or remorse.” Bradley and Cheyenne Lockhart came forward when Ammons asked if anyone in the courtroom wanted to speak about Shaniya. Cheyenne Lockhart thanked all of the family’s supporters. It had been a long road, Bradley Lockhart said, and the verdict failed to produce a victory for anyone. Then he directed his words at the defendant: “I think about those last seconds, and you was the last thing my daughter got to look at. Made a mockery of this court. Laughing, joking like this was a joke. Shaniya wasn’t a joke. Shaniya (affected) so many people. Not just my life, but so many people out there. And you tried to destroy it. “But her legacy is going to live on. You didn’t win. I can be angry and hateful towards you. It’s not going to affect this problem. Shaniya won because she’s going to be speaking out and protecting against people like you.” After a pause, he added again, “You didn’t win.” Against the advice of his lawyers, McNeill asked that his lawyers not put on evidence, not present the mitigating factors to the jury and not give closing arguments during the sentencing phase of the trial. Aggravating factors during the punishment phase included McNeill’s three previous felony assault convictions and his convictions in this case on kidnapping and sex offense charges. Mitigating factors, which McNeill had allowed his lawyers to compile but not present, included his use of drugs and alcohol at the time of Shaniya’s kidnapping and death, the fact that he voluntarily went to the police to be interviewed after Shaniya was reported missing, and that he was a taxpayer. On Tuesday, McNeill told Ammons that it didn’t matter to him – his lawyers arguing his case for life over death – since he had lost his goal of freedom. “I wish we’d had a chance to talk to the jury about sentencing,” a soft-voiced Terry Alford said from a nearly cleared courtroom. “I don’t know if it would have made a difference, but they would have heard the whole story. I’m just disappointed we didn’t get a chance to do that.” Harold “Butch” Pope, McNeill’s other lawyer, said it was important to note that the defense had “a mitigating investigator and pews full of witnesses to put on for him” during the final phase of the trial. The defense has given notice that it intends to appeal the conviction and punishment. In his closing argument, Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West urged jurors to sentence McNeill to death: “No regard for Shaniya’s innocence,” he began. “No regard for Shaniya’s life. And absolutely no remorse.” “That is what this defendant has done and how he conducted himself,” West said. “He showed no regard for her innocence. He kidnapped her from her home in the middle of the night of Nov. 10, 2009, and sexually assaulted a 5-year-old of the innocence of a child. He showed no regard for her life and left her alone on desolate Walker Road in Lee County. And he showed absolutely no remorse. A lack of conscience.” West said the seven mitigating factors were insufficient to outweigh the prosecution’s five aggravating circumstances in determining their sentencing decision. “The defendant,” he said, “could have dropped Shaniya off at a McDonald’s.” Instead, West said, he killed her. Last week, the jury found McNeill guilty of first-degree murder and five other charges in Shaniya’s death. Jurors returned a not guilty verdict on a charge of child rape. McNeill also was found guilty of first-degree kidnapping, human trafficking with a child victim, sexual servitude with a child victim, sexual offense of a child and indecent liberties with a child. Two other charges of sexual exploitation, which McNeill has said are related to images found on his cellphone, are pending. Those are separate charges from the seven he was tried on during the trial. Authorities said Shaniya’s mother handed over her child to McNeill to settle a drug debt and then falsely reported her missing from their residence in the Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home Park. The state said McNeill took Shaniya to the Comfort Suites in Sanford before assaulting her, killing her and dumping her body in a rural area of Lee County. Davis, 28, faces similar charges to McNeill and is awaiting trial. West said Davis’ trial could get under way by the fall. He anticipates a conference with Judge Ammons within the next month or so to discuss the trial schedule. Davis does not face the death penalty. Shaniya, you will never be forgotten. R.I.P. They need to televise McNeill’s execution. Hats off to the jury for doing what needed to be done.
The Jodi Arias trial has had so many twist and turns. Mistrial Declared In Jodi Arias Sentencing Trial According to Fox News Jurors who spent five months determining Jodi Arias’ fate couldn’t decide whether she should get life in prison or die for murdering her boyfriend, sending prosecutors back to the drawing board to rehash the shocking case of sex, lies and violence to another 12 people. Judge Sherry Stephens gave a heavy sigh as she announced a mistrial in the penalty phase of the case Thursday and scheduled a July 18 retrial. “This was not your typical trial,” she told jurors. “You were asked to perform some very difficult duties.” The panel then filed out of the courtroom after 13 hours of deliberation that spanned three days, with one female juror turning to the victim’s family and mouthing, “Sorry.” She and two other women on the jury were crying. None of the jurors commented as they left court. The mistrial set the stage for a whole new proceeding to determine whether the 32-year-old former waitress should get a life sentence or the death penalty for murdering Travis Alexander five years ago. He was shot and stabbed nearly 30 times — his throat slit ear to ear — in what prosecutors said was a jealous rage because he wanted to date other people. A new jury will be seated to try again to reach a decision on Arias’ sentence — unless the prosecutor takes execution off the table and agrees to a life term. Jury selection for the next phase could take weeks, given the difficulty of seating an impartial jury in a death penalty case that has attracted global attention. Arias, who first said she wanted to die and later pleaded to the jury for her life, looked visibly upset about the mistrial and sobbed before it was announced. Her family didn’t attend Thursday but has been present for much of the trial. Family members of Alexander also cried in court. The same jury on May 8 found Arias guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Alexander, who was nearly decapitated in the bathroom of his Mesa home. The jury later determined the killing was cruel enough to merit consideration of the death penalty. Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery thanked the panel in a statement after the mistrial was announced: “We appreciate the jury’s work in the guilt and aggravation phases of the trial, and now we will assess, based upon available information, what the next steps will be.” He said a status hearing has been set for June 20, “and we will proceed with the intent to retry the penalty phase.” Under Arizona law, a hung jury in a trial’s death penalty phase requires a new jury to be seated to decide the punishment. If the second jury cannot reach a unanimous decision, the judge would then sentence Arias to spend her entire life in prison or be eligible for release after 25 years. The judge cannot sentence Arias to death. A new jury would have to review evidence and hear opening statements, closing arguments and witness testimony in a condensed version of the original trial. Attorneys will also have to find prospective jurors willing to issue a death verdict. As the proceedings continue, Arias will remain in the Maricopa County jail system, where she has spent the past five years. Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Thursday she will be confined to her cell 23 hours a day and not be allowed to give interviews. The trial’s penalty phase also featured dramatic statements by Alexander’s sister and brother as they described how their lives were shattered by the loss of their beloved sibling. The judge had told jurors they could consider a handful of factors when deciding Arias’ sentence, including the fact that she has no previous criminal record. They also could weigh defense assertions that Arias is a good friend and a talented artist. Arias found it difficult to resist the spotlight throughout her case. She spoke to a Fox affiliate minutes after her conviction, and did a series of jailhouse interviews just hours after the jury got the case in the penalty phase. “The prosecutor has accused me of wanting to be famous, which is not true,” Arias told the AP on Tuesday in an interview where she combed her hair beforehand and wore makeup for the cameras. She also insisted that no images be transmitted of her from the waist down, showing her striped jail pants and shackled ankles. Hopefully this painful saga can come to an end.
We thought the only place we had to worry about our kids being inappropriately touched was the Catholic church. Unfortunately more and more teachers are getting busy with students. Teachers Caught In “Boy Toy” Probe According to NY Post Two female Long Island high-school teachers were abruptly yanked from their classrooms Monday after being accused of inappropriate contact with two of male students, sources said. Sachem HS North business teachers Donna Newton-McNally, 41, of Centereach, and Melanie Akerberg, 33, of Ronkonkoma, are being investigated by district officials for alleged misconduct with a football player and a wrestler. Sources said a girlfriend of one of the boys found texts from a teacher on his phone and alerted Sachem North principal John Dolan, who ordered a probe. The stunned husbands of the two women reacted angrily to the revelations, with one confronting one of the two seniors this week, a source said. District spokesperson Chris Vaccaro confirmed the teachers were removed but would not disclose the nature of the probe. It was not clear if they were accused of physical contact or inappropriate correspondence. The teachers have been administratively reassigned pending the outcome of the investigation. Suffolk County Police said they have not been contacted about the situation. Both of the seniors are over the age of consent. Students were stunned by the news and described both teachers as popular fixtures on campus. “It’s just hard to believe that this stuff goes on,” said one student who tweeted her support for Newton-McNally. “I’m really hoping that there isn’t anything to it and it’s chatter.” Reeling seniors said that the two male students are charismatic athletes and that both have girlfriends. “These guys got a lot of attention from girls but you wouldn’t think that it would get to this level,” said a senior pal. “But these days, it seems like you hear about this all the time. Just not at your own school. It’s crazy.” Akerberg joined the district in 2006 and Newton-McNally was hired in 2001. Neither was available for comment. Illicit campus relations have become commonplace in recent years, with a marked increase in female teachers targeting male students. Football players appear to enjoy a particular appeal among instructors. Notorious Brooklyn teacher Erin Sayar, 36, was arrested for allegedly smoking pot and repeatedly sleeping with a gridiron star last year. Her husband has since filed for divorce. Hide Ya Kids! NY Post
Tsk Tsk. Kris “Humpback” Humphries is still holding on for that doe. Can you say “thirsty.” Time to let it go buddy. Move on. Kim Kardashian Divorce To End Soon According to TMZ Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries could settle their never-ending divorce case soon … TMZ has learned. The fleeting lovebirds are both ordered to appear in court soon for a settlement conference. The big hang-up is that Kris has been fighting for an annulment based on alleged fraud, and Kim has steadfastly refused to go down that road. She wants a clean, simple divorce. Sources close to Kris say there are various factors that are softening his position, including: There’s an ironclad prenup, if the case goes to trial Kris will get NO money from Kim (although as we previously reported Kris has demanded $7 mil from her — good luck with that). After all the depositions and legal docs flying back and forth, no evidence has surfaced showing Kim defrauded Kris — and that goes to the heart of his claim. Kris is about to get nailed with monetary sanctions for being a no-show at the last hearing and, in the process, he’s pissed off the judge who would be presiding over the divorce trial. If the case goes to trial and Kris loses, he could be in the hole for as much as a million bucks in attorney’s fees. Sources tell us each side has already racked up $300k in lawyer’s fees, and they’ll spend another $200k if the case goes to trial. We broke the story, if the case goes to trial and Kim wins, she’ll ask the judge to make Kris pay HER lawyer’s fees. Our sources say it’s by no means a done deal that the case is going to settle tomorrow, but as one source put it, “Kris is opening his eyes a little bit, and what he sees doesn’t look good.” Do you think Kris will get the mula? Getty Images
Picture it: you’re riding inside a New York City taxi. You get that booty call you’ve been praying for. But – oh, no! – you are without protection! What is an anxious, hopeful lover to do? Brian Shimmerlik and his new invention are here for you. The founder of TaxiTreaters tells The Huffington Post he expects his venture to spread throughout The Big Apple this summer, meaning a vending machine that sells “convenience” items such as gum and, yes, condoms, may soon be part of your cab-riding experience. “Our goal is to provide people with things they want, when they want them, right where they are,” Shimmerlik says . The machine would feature a touch screen and accept credit cards and is being released this myth throughout NYC bars and restaurants. With Mayor Michael Bloomberg introducing The Taxi of Tomorrow last year, one that provides users with 10 inches more of legroom, Shimmerlik sees this as the perfect time to add his helpful apparatus as well. “This is clearly an imaginative product, and we congratulate them on the progress they’ve made,” said Allan Fromberg, spokesman for the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission. What do you think of condom availability in taxis? Good idea? Or GREAT idea?
A nude Rihanna is shielded by Kate Moss on the cover of V Magazine‘s “Dynamic Duos” issue for Spring 2013 – and vice versa, on an alternate cover! See what we mean by ogling the dueling covers below: We’ve seen plenty of Rihanna nude over the years, but never quite like this. Some excerpts from the singer’s latest interview with the fashion magazine: On getting naked with one of the world’s most famous models, Kate Moss, for V: “That was the best shot… Take her top off and put that b!tch on my lap!” On Kate wanting to join the Mario Testino shoot: “Kate overheard us talking and she said, ‘I want to do it with you!’ Again, I was like, Are you f**cking kidding me?” ”I was dying on the inside. All my fantasies coming true: Mario, V, Kate Moss.” On not knowing Kate had a kid : “I didn’t know she had a child, and she still looks like this? There’s hope for people who want babies and still want to be sexy!” On not reading any gossip : “I don’t read it anymore.” “I already have too many voices in my head! I don’t have room for that other stuff. If I let that other stuff in, it’ll take the space of productive sh!t, and that isn’t good.”
