This girl can saaaaannng Jessica Betts – “Holding On” You may remember this slightly familiar face as a contestant on Missy Elliot’s short-lived “Road To Stardom” talent search reality show a few years back who later went on to become a protegee and rumored boo-thang of Missy’s before landing a spot in the “BET Music Matters” showcase. Her name is Jessica Betts and she’s a powerhouse vocalist who can easily go toe-to-toe with your favorite singer making her way onto the R&B music scene with a new look and unparalleled voice that’s sure to hold your attention as can be seen in the video for her single “Holding On” below. Check her out below and see what you think…. So what’s the verdict, Bossip fam? Are you feelin’ Jessica Betts? You can check out more of her music HERE .
This girl can saaaaannng Jessica Betts – “Holding On” You may remember this slightly familiar face as a contestant on Missy Elliot’s short-lived “Road To Stardom” talent search reality show a few years back who later went on to become a protegee and rumored boo-thang of Missy’s before landing a spot in the “BET Music Matters” showcase. Her name is Jessica Betts and she’s a powerhouse vocalist who can easily go toe-to-toe with your favorite singer making her way onto the R&B music scene with a new look and unparalleled voice that’s sure to hold your attention as can be seen in the video for her single “Holding On” below. Check her out below and see what you think…. So what’s the verdict, Bossip fam? Are you feelin’ Jessica Betts? You can check out more of her music HERE .
Was the verdict fair? Black Teen Who Shot Baby In Stroller Found Guilty An African-American teenager has been convicted of murder in the killing of a 13-month-old toddler in Georgia. Via The Grio reports: De’Marquise Elkins was found guilty of shooting Antonio Santiago in the face at point-blank range in a botched robbery on March 21 in Brunswick. It took the jury took about two hours to convict the 18-year-old. He was convicted on all 11 counts, including two counts of felony murder and one count of malice murder. Because he was 17 at the time of the shooting he will not face the death penalty under the state law. Elkins now faces a life behind bars. Prosecutors say Elkins and an accomplice, 15-year-old Dominique Lang, stopped Sherry West and the older teen pointed a gun at her and demanded money before shots were fired. Lang testified against Elkins during the trial and said the older teen fired the weapon. The 15-year-old is to be tried later. Elkins’ attorney, Glynn County Public Defender Kevin Gough, said during the trial that it can’t be ruled out that “one or both parents” may have been involved in their son’s death. West has a history of mental illness and there were no eyewitnesses to the killing except West’s version of events. During the two-week trial the West’s adult daughter, Ashley Glassey, testified against her mother. She was uneasy West phoned her the day her brother was killed for advice on cashing in on his insurance policy. She also testified her mother’s account of what happened on the day kept on changing. The killing of Santiago on March 21 drew national attention and exposed simmering tension in the coastal city of Brunswick, with opinion sharply divided along racial lines. The court case was moved to Marietta because of the extensive publicity surrounding the case. At the start of the trial lawyer Gough objected to the racial makeup of potential jurors. After the verdict, Gough issued a statement that he plans to appeal. He told reporters the all-white jury could be one basis for requesting a new trial. “That was not a jury of his peers,” he said. Elkins’ mother, Karimah Elkins, was on trial alongside him and was found guilty of tampering with evidence but acquitted of lying to police. Do you think the teens were unfairly judged?
President Barack Obama has again waded into the controversy that is the death of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent George Zimmerman verdict. Last weekend, he urged the public to honor the deceased, while respecting the verdict. Today’s remarks were more impromptu and less detached. Speaking at the White House about the Martin-Zimmerman case, Obama reacted both personally and as a member of the African-American community. “When Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son,” he said. “Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.” “When you think about why, in the African-American community at least, there’s a lot of pain around what happened here.” “I think it’s important to recognize that the African-American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that … that doesn’t go away.” “There are very few African-American men in this country who have not had the experience of being followed when they are shopping at a department store.” “That includes me. There are probably very few African-American men who have not had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars.” “That happens to me – at least before I was a senator.” “There are very few African-Americans who have not had the experience of getting on an elevator and a woman clutching her purse nervously and holding her breath until she had the chance to get off.” “That happens often. “I don’t want to exaggerate, but those sets of experiences inform how the African-American community interprets what happened one night in Florida.” “And it’s inescapable for people to bring those experiences to bear.” “The African-American community is also knowledgeable that there is a history of racial disparities in the application of criminal laws, everything from the death penalty to enforcement of drug laws.” “And that ends up having an impact in terms of how people interpret the case.” This past Saturday, Zimmerman was found not guilty by a Florida jury of all charges stemming from the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Martin in 2012. President Obama, who also seemed to reference the Marissa Alexander case with his mention of “racial disparities,” finds himself in an unusual position. As the first African-American U.S. President, many feel he should be more involved in helping lead and shape the national discussion regardng racism. Obama has worked hard, however, to not let his racial background define who he is, and is often reluctant to comment strongly on the subject if at all. Today’s remarks on race reflect that paradox, as Obama tried to express his empathy toward the Martins and others he believed have been wronged. He is willing to point out what he feels are injustices within society, yet is not inclined to offer specific solutions for fear of backlash or making himself the story. By commenting on the verdict, perhaps Obama sought to ease some of the racial tension surrounding the case, yet also reiterate how bad it is. It’s a fine line to walk, and exemplifies what a deeply personal, divisive complex topic this is for so many Americans, even in 2013. Tell us what you think: Did the George Zimmerman jury get it right? And should Obama be weighing in more on the topic of racism? Or less? Or not at all? Sound off below .
Paul Bhattacharjee, a British actor best known for roles in Casino Royale and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel , was found dead this week after a multiple-day disappearance. He was 53 years old. The actor was last spotted departing the Royal Court theatre in London on July 10. His body was allegedly discovered – at Splash Point cliffs in East Sussex – on July 12, but the corpse was not officially identified as Bhattacharjee until yesterday. According to the BBC, police do not suspect foul play. Bhattacharjee’s last known communication was a text to his girlfriend the day he went missing, while his son told The Evening Standard that his father vanishing was “completely out of character.” After news of his death became public, actress Parminder Nagra Tweeted : “Very sad to hear the news about Paul Bhattacharjee. My thoughts are with his loved ones.” THG echoes those sentiments.
Paul Bhattacharjee, a British actor best known for roles in Casino Royale and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel , was found dead this week after a multiple-day disappearance. He was 53 years old. The actor was last spotted departing the Royal Court theatre in London on July 10. His body was allegedly discovered – at Splash Point cliffs in East Sussex – on July 12, but the corpse was not officially identified as Bhattacharjee until yesterday. According to the BBC, police do not suspect foul play. Bhattacharjee’s last known communication was a text to his girlfriend the day he went missing, while his son told The Evening Standard that his father vanishing was “completely out of character.” After news of his death became public, actress Parminder Nagra Tweeted : “Very sad to hear the news about Paul Bhattacharjee. My thoughts are with his loved ones.” THG echoes those sentiments.
Trayvon Martin’s parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, spoke out this morning for the first time about last weekend’s George Zimmerman verdict . Tracy Martin told Today ‘s Matt Lauer: Trayvon Martin Parents Interview “We felt in our hearts that we were going to get a conviction. We thought that the killer of our unarmed child was going to be convicted of the crime that he committed.” Added Fulton, “I think (the legal system) failed Trayvon to a certain degree. I think we let the process take its course. We didn’t get the verdict that we were looking for.” “Our focus has continued to change. First it was for the arrest, then it was for a conviction. So now we’ve moved on to a different focus, but yes, I think we were disappointed.” Martin then added, “I just didn’t understand how can you let the killer of an unarmed child go free. What would your verdict have been had it been your child?” “There’s no winners in this case. It’s just I want them to put themselves in our shoes.” Fulton noted that the verdict sends “a terrible message to other little black and brown boys that you can’t walk fast, you can’t walk slow, so what do they do?” “How do you get home without people knowing or either assuming that you’re doing something wrong? Trayvon wasn’t doing anything wrong.” As for whether or not Trayvon’s parents can ever forgive Zimmerman, Martin simply said, “I think that the forgiveness is like a healing process.” “Forgiveness takes time. The Bible says that you have to forgive and forget, but the healing process is a long process and the forgiving process is a long process.” What do you think of the Zimmerman verdict? Did the jury get it right? Yes. The jury got it right. No. They blew it. View Poll »
Trayvon Martin’s parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, spoke out this morning for the first time about last weekend’s George Zimmerman verdict . Tracy Martin told Today ‘s Matt Lauer: Trayvon Martin Parents Interview “We felt in our hearts that we were going to get a conviction. We thought that the killer of our unarmed child was going to be convicted of the crime that he committed.” Added Fulton, “I think (the legal system) failed Trayvon to a certain degree. I think we let the process take its course. We didn’t get the verdict that we were looking for.” “Our focus has continued to change. First it was for the arrest, then it was for a conviction. So now we’ve moved on to a different focus, but yes, I think we were disappointed.” Martin then added, “I just didn’t understand how can you let the killer of an unarmed child go free. What would your verdict have been had it been your child?” “There’s no winners in this case. It’s just I want them to put themselves in our shoes.” Fulton noted that the verdict sends “a terrible message to other little black and brown boys that you can’t walk fast, you can’t walk slow, so what do they do?” “How do you get home without people knowing or either assuming that you’re doing something wrong? Trayvon wasn’t doing anything wrong.” As for whether or not Trayvon’s parents can ever forgive Zimmerman, Martin simply said, “I think that the forgiveness is like a healing process.” “Forgiveness takes time. The Bible says that you have to forgive and forget, but the healing process is a long process and the forgiving process is a long process.” What do you think of the Zimmerman verdict? Did the jury get it right? Yes. The jury got it right. No. They blew it. View Poll »
The George Zimmerman verdict is in. And so is a palpable sense around the nation that the man who was found not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin may himself be in trouble. Numerous reactions over Twitter and other social networks warn Zimmerman to watch his back. Will someone’s idea of vigilante justice lead to another lost life in this case? George Zimmerman Verdict Riots After Zimmerman Verdict Clearly afraid of just such an outcome, President Obama took the unusual step today of an issuing a statement in reaction to the verdict. “The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy,” Obama said. “Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken.” He continued, addressing citizens around the nation: “I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son. And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities. “We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that’s a job for all of us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin.” Do you think the jury made the right call in the George Zimmerman verdict? Yes. The jury got it right. No. They blew it. View Poll »
