Anybody who knows Oklahoma District Court Judge Mike Normanprobably
yawned at the news that he’d sentenced a teen offender to attend church
as part of his probation arrangement, and that the judge’s pastor was in
the courtroom at the time.
Not only had he handed down such a sentence before, but he’d required
one man to bring the church program back with him when he reported to
court.
“The Lord works in many ways,” Norman, 69, told ABC News today. “I’ve
done a little bit of this kind of thing before, but never on such a
serious charge.”
Norman sentenced Tyler Alred, 17, Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to
first-degree manslaughter in August for killing friend and
passenger John Luke Dum in a car crash.
Dum died on impact in December after Alred crashed his Chevrolet
pickup truck, ejecting Dum. Alredwas 16 at the time of the crash and had
been drinking prior to the deadly accident.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol issued a Breathalyzer at the time, and although Alred was under the state’s legal alcohol limit, he had been drinking underage.
The judge could have sent Alred to jail but, instead, taking into
account his clean criminal and school records, sentenced him to wear a
drug and alcohol bracelet, participate in counseling groups and attend a
church of his choosing – weekly. He must also graduate from high
school.
To avoid jail time, Norman gave Alred a maximum 10-year deferred sentence.
He’d never passed down the church-attendance requirement for someone
as young as Alred, said Norman, who has worked as a district Judge in
Muskogee for 14 years.
“It’s not going to be automatic, I guarantee you,” Norman said of the
church sentence on future manslaughter charges. “There are a lot of
people who say I can’t do what I did. They’re telling me I can’t legally
sentence someone to church.”
Alred’s lawyer is not among the critics. “I usually represent outlaws
and criminals,” defense attorney Donn Baker told the Muskogee
Phoenix”This is a kid that made a mistake. I think he’s worth saving.”
In the courtroom this week, an emotional scene between the victim’s
family and Alred played out after statements from Dum’s mother, father
and two sisters were read during the sentencing. Dum’s father and Alred
stood up in court, turned toward each other and embraced one another.
“At that moment, it sure became a reality to me that I would sentence
this boy to church” to help set him on the right path, Norman, a member
of First Baptist Church in Muskogee, said. “There’s nothing I can do to
make this up to the family.
“I told my preacher I thought I led more people to Jesus than he had
but, then again, more of my people have amnesia. They soon forget once
they get out of jail.”
After completing the rest of the requirements in his sentence, Alred will have the charge removed from his record.
Not only had he handed down such a sentence before, but he’d required one man to bring the church program back with him when he reported to court.
“The Lord works in many ways,” Norman, 69, told ABC News today. “I’ve done a little bit of this kind of thing before, but never on such a serious charge.”
Norman sentenced Tyler Alred, 17, Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in August for killing friend and passenger John Luke Dum in a car crash.
Dum died on impact in December after Alred crashed his Chevrolet pickup truck, ejecting Dum. Alredwas 16 at the time of the crash and had been drinking prior to the deadly accident.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol issued a Breathalyzer at the time, and although Alred was under the state’s legal alcohol limit, he had been drinking underage.
The judge could have sent Alred to jail but, instead, taking into account his clean criminal and school records, sentenced him to wear a drug and alcohol bracelet, participate in counseling groups and attend a church of his choosing – weekly. He must also graduate from high school.
To avoid jail time, Norman gave Alred a maximum 10-year deferred sentence.
He’d never passed down the church-attendance requirement for someone as young as Alred, said Norman, who has worked as a district Judge in Muskogee for 14 years.
“It’s not going to be automatic, I guarantee you,” Norman said of the church sentence on future manslaughter charges. “There are a lot of people who say I can’t do what I did. They’re telling me I can’t legally sentence someone to church.”
Alred’s lawyer is not among the critics. “I usually represent outlaws and criminals,” defense attorney Donn Baker told the Muskogee Phoenix”This is a kid that made a mistake. I think he’s worth saving.”
In the courtroom this week, an emotional scene between the victim’s family and Alred played out after statements from Dum’s mother, father and two sisters were read during the sentencing. Dum’s father and Alred stood up in court, turned toward each other and embraced one another.
“At that moment, it sure became a reality to me that I would sentence this boy to church” to help set him on the right path, Norman, a member of First Baptist Church in Muskogee, said. “There’s nothing I can do to make this up to the family.
“I told my preacher I thought I led more people to Jesus than he had but, then again, more of my people have amnesia. They soon forget once they get out of jail.”
After completing the rest of the requirements in his sentence, Alred will have the charge removed from his record.
Wickedness: Woman punishes 6-year-old girl by burning her private area
Wickedness: Woman punishes 6-year-old girl by burning her private area
LOOK: Governor Fashola locked in a passionate kiss with wife, Abimbola (and we like)
These public figures never cease to surprise us, yesterday, it was Jumobi Mofe-Damijo unleashing a butterfly tattoo on her right bossom;
today it’s Governor Babatunde Fashola showing a very public display of
affection (vPDA) to his wife, Abimbola at the closing ceremony of
the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials meeting.
Who would have ‘thunk’ Babatunde ‘Rigid’ Fashola is a
hopeless romantic like some of us? Well, it’s right here for you to see…
and applaud like the other guests at the event
By Ynaija
Who would have ‘thunk’ Babatunde ‘Rigid’ Fashola is a hopeless romantic like some of us? Well, it’s right here for you to see… and applaud like the other guests at the event
By Ynaija
Elementary schoolgirl punished for crime of hugging a classmate
Adam Road Primary, an elementary school in Bunbury, Western Australia, has ticked a bunch of people off by punishing a 12-year-old girl for hugging a classmate. The school's acting principal Gemma Preston told reporters that Amber Rome was given a detention as the hug was in breach of the school's iron-clad "no hugging" policy. Apparently Amber's shocking crime was committed just after a finger-wagging reminder, so the school had to make an example of her. The acting principal defended the rule saying it was imposed after complaints from parents of kids sustaining hug-related injuries. Guess they do it differently Down Under. [Source]
Aliko Dangote Makes Bloomberg List for World’s Richest People, Earns $3.5 billion so far in 2012
Alhaji Aliko Dangote is winning
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote cement and richest man in Africa has been mentioned for Bloomberg Markets’ inaugural list of the world’s richest people, in the magazine’s December 2012 issue.
The
magazine says the individuals mentioned on the list have a net worth
that totals $2.7 trillion or the size of the GDP of France, the world’s
biggest economy.
According to Bloomberg, “The ranking shows who’s
on top (America Movil SAB Chairman Emeritus Carlos Slim, with a net
worth of $77.5 billion), who’s faltering (Facebook Inc. Chief Executive
Officer Mark Zuckerberg, who’s down $6.8 billion since Jan. 1) and who’s
just wealthy enough to make our top 200 (SAS Institute Inc. co-founder
John Sall, who’s worth $5.8 billion).
“Bill Gates and Warren
Buffett, both in the top five, are household names. Yet nobody racked up
billions faster than relatively unknown No. 3, Amancio Ortega of
Spain. The 76-year-old founded Inditex SA, the world’s largest clothing
retailer, which is known for its more than 1,600 trendy Zara stores. He
made more than $18 billion from the start of the year through Oct. 5
– or about $66 million a day. That windfall was more than enough for the
Spanish tycoon to eclipse Buffett – who’s now No. 4, with $48.4 billion
as of Oct. 5.
“Ortega’s ascent coincides with an overall rise in
retail stocks. Low cotton costs, cheap credit and demand for reasonably
priced goods have driven shares of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Inditex to
records. Nine of the world’s 25 wealthiest people are retail moguls.
Among them are Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad, four members of the Walton
family that controls Wal-Mart and Stefan Persson, the largest
shareholder in Swedish clothing giant Hennes & Mauritz AB.”
Dangote was listed as number 62 with a networth of $13.5 billion and is said to have made another $3.5 billion so far this year.
This calls for therapy: Meet the 44-year-old mother who
breastfeeds her dog (PHOTO)
Adam Road Primary, an elementary school in Bunbury, Western Australia, has ticked a bunch of people off by punishing a 12-year-old girl for hugging a classmate. The school's acting principal Gemma Preston told reporters that Amber Rome was given a detention as the hug was in breach of the school's iron-clad "no hugging" policy. Apparently Amber's shocking crime was committed just after a finger-wagging reminder, so the school had to make an example of her. The acting principal defended the rule saying it was imposed after complaints from parents of kids sustaining hug-related injuries. Guess they do it differently Down Under. [Source]
Alhaji Aliko Dangote is winning
Meet the woman with the record for the world’s longest nails
The longest fingernails belonged to Lee Redmond (USA), who started to
grow them in 1979 and carefully manicured them to reach a total length
of 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in) as measured on the set of Lo show dei record in
Madrid, Spain, on 23 February 2008. Lee lost her nails in an automobile
accident in early 2009.
The longest fingernails belonged to Lee Redmond (USA), who started to grow them in 1979 and carefully manicured them to reach a total length of 8.65 m (28 ft 4.5 in) as measured on the set of Lo show dei record in Madrid, Spain, on 23 February 2008. Lee lost her nails in an automobile accident in early 2009.
Opinion: Why women should listen to Tyrese’s message
After listening to Tyrese’s short video, I can honestly say he actually shared a few words of wisdom.
There is a video circulating the blogs and internet sites in which R & B singer, Tyrese speaks directly to Black women.
In his message, he stresses the importance of finding a balance between
being a strong and independent woman and being an overly independent
woman who is on a “I don’t need no man kick” as well as the third
alternative which is a woman who is “holding on to her sexy and nice
body” and “freeloading”.
Honestly, my first reaction to hearing that Tyrese had a message
for women was a slight irritation, but I decided to hear what he had to
say. My irritation stemmed from what I had prejudged as yet another
badgering of women and a condescending lecture about what is wrong with
us.
After listening to Tyrese’s short video, I can honestly say he
actually shared a few words of wisdom. Basically, what he was saying was
that women, specifically Black women, need to find a balance between
being able to take care of ourselves and having solid goals and a
purpose in life without going to one of two extremes of either being so
“independent” that we repel good men that we could have harmonious
relationships with or being so dependent on our looks to “catch” a man
and then depend entirely on him to be our provider.I don’t think there is anything wrong with a woman who is traditional and finds a man who is also traditional and they decide that what works for them is a relationship in which the husband is the financial provider while the wife does more of the nurturing and taking care of others. It’s important though, to realize that wanting to be in such a relationship is very different than being so lazy to grow up that a woman needs another “daddy” to take care of her and do her thinking for her while she relies entirely on her appearance to maintain “daddy’s” interest.
Most of us know women (maybe we are even , at times, those women) who have gotten disappointed so much or have witnessed other women being disappointed by the men in their lives that they dare not open themselves up to the possibility of sharing their lives with a man. Just as Tyrese puts it, these women will often have an attitude of “I don’t need no man” and end up alone and/or lonely.
The modern woman, it seems struggles to find the right balance between being strong and independent without being off-putting or wanting to be taken care of without being a so called “gold digger” who seems to have made a career out of searching for a man to take care of everything, while she, as Tyrese puts it, “free loads”.
As much as I did not expect to, I actually agree with Tyrese who even goes on to plead with women not to give up on their men by lumping them all into one negative category. He acknowledges that some men are out there that may not be forthcoming about who they are, even mentioning and alluding to men who are undercover homosexuals, but still lets women know that there are still good men who desire good women just as much as good women desire them.
Just in the same way there are women who can walk the fine line of confidence and assertiveness while being feminine and attractive, there are also some good men who can be good providers without expecting to dominate the women in their lives or those who can be honest, faithful and loyal to their women. Who knew Tyrese could be so wise?
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Nomalanga helps Black Women thrive in their lives and careers. She is a Social Commentator, an Editor at Your Black World , Assistant Professor of Professional Studies and the reigning Mrs Botswana.
EXPOSED: Area in Lagos where men give out their wives for sex on their marital beds
The woman’s husband observes their approach. He quickly rounds the
kids together, makes the apartment look presentable, shoos the kids out
of the room and he stays somewhere until his wife finishes servicing her
client. Welcome to Majiyagbe Street, via Morocco Road, in Shomolu area
of Lagos, where wives feed their husbands and children from the proceeds
of prostitution with the full consent of the man.
Saturday Mirror observed that prostitution is not the only vice
prevalent in Majiyagbe Street. Banned drugs are also hawked with
novelty. However, it is also alleged that suspected stolen vehicles and
motorcycles find their way into the area. It is also claimed that small
arms are kept with some of the illicit drug hawkers plying their trade
in the area.
Reports also have it that most of the customers of these prostitutes
are men of questionable character who use the place as hideout after
perpetrating their acts. Saturday Mirror investigations also revealed
that most of the owners of the houses lining Majiyagbe had moved out of
the vicinity, but only sed their agents to collect rent from the
occupants of those buildings.
Majiyagbe is a fairly long street with dozens of makeshift houses and
kiosks lining both sides. Entering Majiyagbe Street, a first time
visitor would take the area for a normal living community. Banners,
posters of various soft and hard drinks are conspicuously displayed on
those shops, while GSM service providers’ stickers also adorn most of
the shops. That is in the morning and early afternoon. In the late
afternoon until the wee hours of the day, the street wears another look.
The rooms, shops, kiosks and containers on the street are short time
accommodation to sex customers. However, investigations also revealed
that not all residents of the beleaguered street are involved in this
act.
Some of them still live on the street, apparently because of lack the
wherewithal to relocate from the area. Saturday Mirror discovered that
about the time the sex seeking customers start arriving, the husbands of
the prostitutes would vacate the apartments. They would only return
when the wives call them that the apartment is ready for the family
again.
In such situations, the children too are made to seek alternative
abodes while their mothers engage their ‘customers’ in their family
apartments. A resident of the area, who identified himself simply as
Olatunji, told Saturday Mirror that most of the commercial sex workers
on Majiyagbe Street are from a certain part of the country and are not
indigenes of the state or Yoruba, but they have been living in the place
for decades.
Olatunji maintained that the prostitutes get the backing of their
husbands while they carry out their trade to the full knowledge of their
children. “Most of the women took to prostitution to survive and this
is to the knowledge of their husbands. Over the years, their female
children grew up to see their mothers do what they do and later continue
the trade,” Olatunji added.
Another resident, who preferred anonymity, disclosed to Saturday
Mirror that before now, stolen cars and commercial motorcycles were
brought into the area for remodelling.
The source however said the new Divisional Police Officer in the area
had carried out raids on the workshops of the panel beaters always
working on the stolen automobiles which had drastically reduced that
part of the anomalies on Majiyagbe Street. “All manner of hard drugs are
sold on Majiyagbe Street, but the effort of the new police boss in the
area has made the hawkers to device new means of selling their wares.
Now, the drug dealers are mobile. Instead of selling the drugs in
shops, they carry them around in bags, and sometimes in their pockets,”
the source said. Favour Ideh (not real names) is one of the prostitutes
on Majiyagbe Street.
Ideh, 37, and mother of three boys, initially did not want to
disclose her real job to Saturday Mirror. She told Saturday Mirror that
she sells recharge cards on the streets. However, she later owned up to
her prostitution business. Ideh, however, said that she had to send her
kids to school when the company where their father used to work folded
up at Apapa. “I have lived here with my husband and three boys in the
last eight years. But in 2009, my husband lost his job when his office
folded up at Apapa. Where there was no gratuity coming and he was sick
at the time, I had to seek alternative ways of providing for the needs
of the family,” Ideh justified her line of business.
Saturday Mirror observed that prostitution is not the only vice prevalent in Majiyagbe Street. Banned drugs are also hawked with novelty. However, it is also alleged that suspected stolen vehicles and motorcycles find their way into the area. It is also claimed that small arms are kept with some of the illicit drug hawkers plying their trade in the area.
Reports also have it that most of the customers of these prostitutes are men of questionable character who use the place as hideout after perpetrating their acts. Saturday Mirror investigations also revealed that most of the owners of the houses lining Majiyagbe had moved out of the vicinity, but only sed their agents to collect rent from the occupants of those buildings.
Majiyagbe is a fairly long street with dozens of makeshift houses and kiosks lining both sides. Entering Majiyagbe Street, a first time visitor would take the area for a normal living community. Banners, posters of various soft and hard drinks are conspicuously displayed on those shops, while GSM service providers’ stickers also adorn most of the shops. That is in the morning and early afternoon. In the late afternoon until the wee hours of the day, the street wears another look.
The rooms, shops, kiosks and containers on the street are short time accommodation to sex customers. However, investigations also revealed that not all residents of the beleaguered street are involved in this act.
Some of them still live on the street, apparently because of lack the wherewithal to relocate from the area. Saturday Mirror discovered that about the time the sex seeking customers start arriving, the husbands of the prostitutes would vacate the apartments. They would only return when the wives call them that the apartment is ready for the family again.
In such situations, the children too are made to seek alternative abodes while their mothers engage their ‘customers’ in their family apartments. A resident of the area, who identified himself simply as Olatunji, told Saturday Mirror that most of the commercial sex workers on Majiyagbe Street are from a certain part of the country and are not indigenes of the state or Yoruba, but they have been living in the place for decades.
Olatunji maintained that the prostitutes get the backing of their husbands while they carry out their trade to the full knowledge of their children. “Most of the women took to prostitution to survive and this is to the knowledge of their husbands. Over the years, their female children grew up to see their mothers do what they do and later continue the trade,” Olatunji added.
Another resident, who preferred anonymity, disclosed to Saturday Mirror that before now, stolen cars and commercial motorcycles were brought into the area for remodelling.
The source however said the new Divisional Police Officer in the area had carried out raids on the workshops of the panel beaters always working on the stolen automobiles which had drastically reduced that part of the anomalies on Majiyagbe Street. “All manner of hard drugs are sold on Majiyagbe Street, but the effort of the new police boss in the area has made the hawkers to device new means of selling their wares.
Now, the drug dealers are mobile. Instead of selling the drugs in shops, they carry them around in bags, and sometimes in their pockets,” the source said. Favour Ideh (not real names) is one of the prostitutes on Majiyagbe Street.
Ideh, 37, and mother of three boys, initially did not want to disclose her real job to Saturday Mirror. She told Saturday Mirror that she sells recharge cards on the streets. However, she later owned up to her prostitution business. Ideh, however, said that she had to send her kids to school when the company where their father used to work folded up at Apapa. “I have lived here with my husband and three boys in the last eight years. But in 2009, my husband lost his job when his office folded up at Apapa. Where there was no gratuity coming and he was sick at the time, I had to seek alternative ways of providing for the needs of the family,” Ideh justified her line of business.
Pizza delivery man killed for being 40 minutes late
A pizza delivery man was killed by a furious client in Mexico for being 40 minutes late, according to police.
Andrs Díaz Rivera body, eyes blindfolded and hands bound, was found on Monday
in the town of Tetla, some 90 miles east of Mexico City, according to the
public prosecutor's office in Tlaxcala state.
The 25-year-old delivery man, had last been seen Saturday evening as he left
to drop off a late order.
José Luís Lima Moran, the 22-year-old client, who hit the police officer who
discovered the delivery man's moped, admitted that he beat and locked up his
victim for five hours with the help of his girlfriend.
It was when the delivery man tried to escape from the ordeal, that the client
allegedly stabbed him multiple times before dumping the body in an empty
area next door.
The 25-year-old delivery man, had last been seen Saturday evening as he left
to drop off a late order.
José Luís Lima Moran, the 22-year-old client, who hit the police officer who
discovered the delivery man's moped, admitted that he beat and locked up his
victim for five hours with the help of his girlfriend.
It was when the delivery man tried to escape from the ordeal, that the client
allegedly stabbed him multiple times before dumping the body in an empty
area next door.
“Tonto Dikeh sounded like she was in mid-stream orgasm instead of singing” – Charles Novia
Novia
His Facebook post read: “I have restrained myself for a couple of years from commenting on Tonto Dike’s career after my last comments about her role in the soft porn movie she acted in two years back, were badly taken by her and she went on twitter to hurl infantile insults on my person with expletives and uncomplimentary remarks. My reaction to such then was just a dignified silence. After all, I had already spoken on her stunted talent as an up and coming actress and further comments on her incensed tweets were unnecessary.
“All through the past few hours, the social media networks have been abuzz with the new singles of actress, Tonto Dike. She seems to have joined the actors of her ilk who have the moonlighting itch to delve into singing. While no one can stop such an ambition by those artistes, I do think those who surround such artistes are their worst enemies if they can’t tell them the truth about leaving their sometimes doubtful day job.
“Well, I will! I listened to Miss Dike’s two singles a few minutes ago and my initial speechlessness morphed to a nagging laughter and then subsided into a befuddled anguish. I’m a music label owner (November Records) and have produced and Executive Produced acts like Majek Fashek, Terry tha Rapman, Zubby Enebeli etc. I know much about music and the slant of commercial music. But after listening to Miss Dike’s songs, I’m inclined to align with the majorly negative comments about them on cyberspace. Ah-ah! Whoever produced her knew she has a bad voice for singing and masked our listening torture with the Autotune effect. But even the Autotune rejected any attempt to make a bad voice worse and Miss Dike came out sounding like she was in mid-stream orgasm instead of singing!
“Her anguished tremolos would have been better reserved for a horror movie sound effect than an attempt at joining the revered profession of music. If Omotola got away with her last two terrible attempts at singing, it was because Omotola is a fantastic actress and her fans could forgive her musical failings after backtracking her body of work in Nollywood. With Tonto, I can’t say much either for her acting depth. She’s a one-dimensional actress in my opinion, who mistakes notoriety for fame. She needs more training in acting and this I say with all sense of professionalism as a movie Director. She might achieve greater heights in acting if she trains more. But she has no heights to achieve in singing. Only a downward plunge, the stuff bad endings in movies are made of.”
Crisis in MAVIN? Listen to Dr SID and Wande Coal argue over D’banj
By Osagie Alonge
When the going was G.O.O.D: D’banj, Don Jazzy
and Dr SID at a press conference announcing their signing with Kanye
West, June 2011
Just when we were thinking the D’banj-Don Jazzy
saga was ending, yet another controversy has come up- this time former
Mo’Hits-now-MAVIN records act Dr SID plays the leading role in the
‘never-ending’ movie.
A secret recording which has leaked will
stir up more controversies and give us a little more insight as to why
the former ‘supergroup’ broke up with bosses – D’banj and Don Jazzy
parting ways.
Dr SID in the recording, obtained
exclusively by NET, is heard talking in a rather upset tone about how
his former label boss D’banj’s personality was over-shining his and the
rest of the crew members.
‘Why don’t they know my name? Because your brand and star is too much it is overshadowing‘, Dr SID angrily said.
Wande Coal however had another opinion;
he argued back and forth with Dr SID, explaining that it was D’banj that
actually brought them to the limelight.
‘Guuuy, it’s not that, D’banj can help anybody, ….If not for D’banj nobody would have looked at Wande, guy I dey lie? Men, I don’t know‘, Wande argued back.
Not convinced, Dr SID argues ‘Batman and Robin, who them dey call? Na D’banj na. D’banj did more negative than positive for my career‘.
The date of the recording is not known but sources close to the camp say it is just a few weeks old.
‘It is a well known fact that Dr SID and D’banj have been having inside brawls even though he (D’banj) was the one that dragged him into Mo’Hits back then‘, a source close to the MAVIN camp tells us in anonymity.
Several sources insist Dr SID was one of the persons who engineered the Mo’Hits split. ‘He wanted to always be as big as D’banj. Wande was content as the fan favourite, D’Prince is okay as long as his elder brother makes the money‘, our source continues. SID and D’banj reportedly clashed severally during the Mo’Hits years.
NET has also gathered that all doesn’t
seem to be well in the MAVIN camp; with Wande Coal allegedly telling
close friends that his boss Don Jazzy might not have the financial
capacity required to carry the group. But donating N2m to cancer patient
Funmi Lawal weeks back, amongst other philanthropic gestures, would
make anyone perish the thought of the possibility of the producer being
broke.
A professional clown who abducted and raped a 12-year-old girl took a plea deal with prosecutors on Wednesday.
While wearing his clown costume and makeup, Jose Guadalupe Jimenez grabbed the girl from outside a Taco Bell restaurant in Fullerton, Calif. around midnight on January 19, 2002, Newport Beach Patch reports.
The man forced her into his car and drove to a middle school parking lot, where he raped her. Jimenez then drove to a nearby motel, where the victim was able to escape when he went to speak with the clerk.
Now 43, Jimenez has pleaded guilty to one count of lewd acts upon a child under 14 and one count of forcible lewd acts upon a child. As part of the plea bargain, the judge dismissed a charge of aggravated sexual assault against a child.If Jimenez had been convicted at trial, he could have faced 25 years to life in prison. By pleading guilty, he received a sentence of 10 years.Jimenez was arrested in 2011, when a DNA analysis linked him to the attack.
He had worked as a clown for nine years prior to his arrest, using the stage name “El Tin Larin,” KTLA reports. According to the Orange County Register, the name is a play on “El Original Tin Larin,” a popular Mexican cookie.
20,000 Beliebers Can't Be Wrong
Justin Bieber's heavy doses of charisma and positive messages impress on the night his personal belongings were stolen
To paraphrase the legendary Neil Diamond, I saw
him live now I'm a Belieber.
In case you didn't already know, purple is a sacred hue for Beliebers because it's Justin's favorite color. Unfortunately, my wardrobe is lacking in the purple department, but I wanted to be in the spirit of things, so I sported purple earplugs, which definitely came in handy, but not because of the music: because of the thousands of screaming fans. But despite my minimalist effort to fit in, when we arrived at the arena, I discovered I was very much underdressed for the occasion. The sold-out, 20,000-capacity venue was bathed in purple lighting and almost everyone in the crowd had some shade of purple on, making the stands look like a grape-colored swarm of humanity. The devotion runs that deep.
Moments
before the show began, I looked to my left and my niece was trembling with
adrenaline. It was her first concert and just like every Belieber in the
building that night, she idolizes Justin Bieber. When I asked her what it is
about JB that she likes so much, she rattled off several reasons, the first of
which was his charitable efforts. One dollar for every ticket to the show went
to Pencils of Promise, an organization that promotes global access to education.
She also mentioned his music and of course it doesn't hurt that Biebs is a
teenage heartthrob.
He displayed his musical chops during a drum solo and during a three-song acoustic set that included "Be Alright," "Fall" and "Favorite Girl." During the acoustic numbers he played his guitar while hovering above the crowd in a cherry picker. For "One Less Lonely Girl" he brought a fan onstage, gave her flowers and serenaded her while she cried in what surely had to be the most surreal moment of her life. I was later told this is customary at Bieber concerts.
The
setlist was heavy on songs from his latest album, "Believe," which was released
earlier this year. "Out of Town Girl," with its Timbaland-aping beat and
"Beauty and a Beat," which has hints of Skrillex and Daft Punk in
its production were highlights. The latter featured a video of Nicki Minaj delivering
her verse.
"I guess that means there's more for me then," he said with a sly laugh.
When he wasn't playing the role of ladies' man, Bieber seemed genuinely grateful for all of the support from his fans, and he shared several positive messages between songs. The overall themes of his messages were of self-confidence and determination.
"Believe in your dreams and never say never," he told the crowd before launching into "Baby," one of the songs that sent his star into the stratosphere.
Seeing such an impressive showing of fan support combined with hearing Bieber's simple, positive message was refreshing. That is what turned me into a fan of the 18-year-old Canadian dynamo and if you get an opportunity to see him perform, I bet he'll make a Belieber out of you too.
But I won't get into how teen megastar Justin Bieber won
over this hardened, somewhat cynical music critic just yet. First allow me to
set the stage by putting my experience at Biebs' Oct. 9 concert at the Tacoma
Dome in perspective. Yes, the same show where Bieber's laptop and
camera were stolen. The camera and laptop contained "personal footage" of
the star. The theft doubled as a news story and a good publicity push for
his new video.
I knew that I wasn't in for the typical concert
experience the moment I noticed my 15-year-old niece, who was my date for the
evening, painting a purple J and B on her cheeks. Not many fan bases outside of
Insane Clown
Posse's juggalos paint their faces in devotion to their musical heroes. And
unlike juggalos, Beliebers aren't likely on any FBI watch list.
In case you didn't already know, purple is a sacred hue for Beliebers because it's Justin's favorite color. Unfortunately, my wardrobe is lacking in the purple department, but I wanted to be in the spirit of things, so I sported purple earplugs, which definitely came in handy, but not because of the music: because of the thousands of screaming fans. But despite my minimalist effort to fit in, when we arrived at the arena, I discovered I was very much underdressed for the occasion. The sold-out, 20,000-capacity venue was bathed in purple lighting and almost everyone in the crowd had some shade of purple on, making the stands look like a grape-colored swarm of humanity. The devotion runs that deep.
Moments
before the show began, I looked to my left and my niece was trembling with
adrenaline. It was her first concert and just like every Belieber in the
building that night, she idolizes Justin Bieber. When I asked her what it is
about JB that she likes so much, she rattled off several reasons, the first of
which was his charitable efforts. One dollar for every ticket to the show went
to Pencils of Promise, an organization that promotes global access to education.
She also mentioned his music and of course it doesn't hurt that Biebs is a
teenage heartthrob.
Our conversation was cut short at around 8:15 p.m., which was when a
10-minute countdown on a video screen struck zero. That's when the mass hysteria
really kicked in. My purple earplugs were working overtime as the shrieking of
teens nearly drowned out Bieber's band. The mass swooning started around 8:20,
which was when a winged Bieber appeared suspended above the crowd. The guy knows
how to make an entrance.
As far as the performance is concerned, Bieber
puts on a good show. He worked a multitiered stage with a catwalk and eight
video screens displaying dance moves that would make his mentor, Usher, jealous. He acted out
"She Don't Like the Lights," a song reportedly about his girlfriend Selena Gomez not
enjoying the media attention their relationship receives, by dancing around
backup dancers who were acting like paparazzi attempting to take his picture.
He displayed his musical chops during a drum solo and during a three-song acoustic set that included "Be Alright," "Fall" and "Favorite Girl." During the acoustic numbers he played his guitar while hovering above the crowd in a cherry picker. For "One Less Lonely Girl" he brought a fan onstage, gave her flowers and serenaded her while she cried in what surely had to be the most surreal moment of her life. I was later told this is customary at Bieber concerts.
The
setlist was heavy on songs from his latest album, "Believe," which was released
earlier this year. "Out of Town Girl," with its Timbaland-aping beat and
"Beauty and a Beat," which has hints of Skrillex and Daft Punk in
its production were highlights. The latter featured a video of Nicki Minaj delivering
her verse.
At one point Bieber asked the clichéd "Where are all the ladies at?" and the
place erupted. He later asked for all the guys to make some noise and it was all
crickets.
"I guess that means there's more for me then," he said with a sly laugh.
When he wasn't playing the role of ladies' man, Bieber seemed genuinely grateful for all of the support from his fans, and he shared several positive messages between songs. The overall themes of his messages were of self-confidence and determination.
"Believe in your dreams and never say never," he told the crowd before launching into "Baby," one of the songs that sent his star into the stratosphere.
Seeing such an impressive showing of fan support combined with hearing Bieber's simple, positive message was refreshing. That is what turned me into a fan of the 18-year-old Canadian dynamo and if you get an opportunity to see him perform, I bet he'll make a Belieber out of you too.
Police: 10-year-old Colorado girl missing for week is dead
Jessica Ridgeway, 10, was last seen by her mother
as she left for school in Westminster, Colorado.
-- A 10-year-old Colorado girl reported missing one
week ago is dead, police said Friday, spurring a manhunt for the person who
killed her.
Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk
told reporters that a body found earlier this week "has been positively
identified" as that of Jessica Ridgeway.
"Our focus has changed from a
search for Jessica to a mission of justice for Jessica," Birk said.
Jessica was last seen by her
mother as she left for school October 5. Authorities then issued a statewide
Amber Alert for the girl.
On Sunday, a man in a subdivision
in Superior discovered Jessica's backpack outside his house about 7 miles from
the girl's hometown of Westminster, said Westminster Police Investigator Trevor
Materasso. Both towns are along the Denver-Boulder Turnpike.
A body -- which was "not intact,"
according to police -- was found Wednesday at a park in Arvada, a Denver suburb
just five miles from Westminster. The body was identified Friday as that of
Jessica.
With that news, Birk acknowledged
that authorities "recognize that there is a predator at large in our
community.""We are doing everything within
our power to apprehend that individual," he said.
Hundreds of volunteers had
searched fields and streets, posted fliers and canvassed neighborhoods since
news broke of the girl's disappearance. Hundreds of local, state and federal law
enforcement officers have also been working the case, according to Birk.As of Friday, authorities had
searched more than 500 homes and 1,000 vehicles, responded to more than 1,500
tips and "covered thoroughly more than 800 leads," said Jim Yacone, special
agent in charge of the FBI's Denver office."Open space and
water searches by both law enforcement, the Westminster Fire Department and many
hundreds of volunteers have been extensive, and they will continue," Yacone told
reporters Friday.
Bizarre-looking oarfish washes ashore on Cabo San Lucas beach
In Florida, scientists have their hands on a large and mysterious eyeball, which washed ashore Wednesday, and are trying to determine what kind of sea creature it belonged to. That could take a few days.But in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, another bizarre find was made Friday: that of an oarfish, which washed ashore on bustling Medano Beach, which features a view of the end of the Baja California peninsula. Oarfish are deep-water denizens that are rarely seen. But because of their long, slender appearance, and their bright-orange dorsal fins and manes, they helped spawn myths of sea serpents and sea monsters among ancient mariners.
They've been known to reach lengths of 30-plus feet.Pisces Sportfishing reports that an employee from Pisces Real Estate helped discover an estimated 15-foot specimen that washed up in the gentle breakers.
Gonzalez "was working very hard, sitting under an umbrella on the main beach of Cabo-El Medano at an open house we are hosting today at Hacienda," states the Pisces blog. "He was right in front of Villa 2 when he saw a commotion on the beach and a small crowd gathered at the water's edge. His first thought was, 'There's been an accident.'
"Then he saw three locals supporting what appeared to him as a monster from the deep. He ran down to get a closer look and saw three locals assisting the strange creature, which appeared to be in distress as it struggled for air."Unsuccessful attempts were made to revive the oarfish and return it to the Sea of Cortez, and ultimately it was collected for scientific study.
Oarfish inhabit the world's oceans but are found in the dark depths between about 600 and 3,000 feet. On the rare occasions one is seen on or near a beach--this happens very rarely and sporadically--it's either sick or injured, dying or already dead.
Their silver bodies have no scales and the fish swim with undulating motions, serpent-
Eric Clapton's Richter sells for $34.2 million
Sotheby's auction house says Richter's "Abstraktes Bild" sold to an anonymous
buyer Friday in London, ending a more than five-minute bidding competition
between two telephone buyers.
The 1994 abstract oil on canvas piece from guitarist Clapton's collection was expected to sell for between 9 million and 12 million pounds.
Friday's sale handily beat Richter's previous auction record of $21.9 million set in May in New York with the sale of his "Abstract Picture (7938-3)."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The 1994 abstract oil on canvas piece from guitarist Clapton's collection was expected to sell for between 9 million and 12 million pounds.
Friday's sale handily beat Richter's previous auction record of $21.9 million set in May in New York with the sale of his "Abstract Picture (7938-3)."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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D'banj signs another producer to his record label
A few months after signing Jay Sleek to his record label, the super star singer announced on Twitter this morning that he has signed another producer, Divine Ifeanyi, also known as DeeVee, to DB Records. DeeVee produced K-Switch’s latest single, “Sista Caro”.
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