Archive for June, 2009

Missing Toddler Jada Justice Found Dead

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

jada justice

A long ten days have gone by since reports came of Jada Justice disappearing from a car outside of a gas station. There is finally closure to the whereabouts of the infant.

Jada Justice was found dead last Thursday in a nearby swamp.

On Friday, it was announced by authorities that the remains found were of the missing girl and reported that she had been burned an encased in concrete before attempts were made to dispose of the body.

Reports stated that Jada Justice went missing the evening of June 16 from a gas station in Gary, Ind. as she was waiting for her cousin, who was babysitting, to return to the car.

Engelica Castillo, 18, who was the cousin of young Jada stated that she took her little cousin with her to the gas station in order to get milk. Parking the car on the side, not only did she reportedly leave the door unlocked, but also left the child in the car alone at 9:30 pm.

Upon returning to the vehicle, Castillo said that young Jada was nowhere to be found.

When asked the reasoning behind Castillo leaving Jada in an unlocked car, she was unable to provide an adequate response.

Jada's mother, Melissa Swiontek, said Tuesday, “I've asked her, and she just keeps telling me ‘I don't know, I don't know. I was just running in real quick'.”

In a turn of events, on Friday, Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter made the announcement that Castillo and her boyfriend, Tim Tkachik, 23, had both been charged with murder, two counts of neglect of a dependent, battery and false informing.

This news came from Tim Tkachik when he reported to the police the events that had occurred, according to the affidavit.

Unlike similar cases such as the disappearances Caylee Anthony and Haleigh Cummings in Florida, or Neveah Buchanan in Michigan, there wasn't an equal amount of coverage or national news placed on the missing black child.

Kathy Chaney, a journalist for the “Chicago Defender” expressed her irritation in the lack of national coverage of Jada's case and proceeded to send e-mails to her friends in the media to make them aware of the news which thankfully was heeded and publicized on the “Nancy Grace” show and “American's Most Wanted.”

Gary Police Commander Anthony Titus reported to BlackAmericaWeb.com last week that dogs, helicopters and highly trained officers were implemented in the search for the missing Jada.

As a memorial for young Jada, 200 silver and pink balloons were released at a park in East Chicago where her parents and siblings were in attendance, according to an article in the Post-Tribune.

“For the past two weeks, I've been running, so I haven't been able to really cry about this situation,” Clarence Justice, her father, told the Post Tribune. “I'm going to miss everything about her.”

Stay tuned for more information and a deep look into what the affidavit revealed…

Drake Officially Signs To Young Money

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Rising rapper Drake has finally found a label home and officially signed with Lil Wayne's label, Young Money, according to sources.

This deal is a joint venture between Young Money and Cash Money Records as Universal Republic will handle distribution. (more...)

Court Rules In Favor Of White Firefighters In Discrimination Suit

Monday, June 29th, 2009

ffighters

In a ruling that could alter employments standards and practices across the nation, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in favor of New Haven Connecticut's white firefighters, citing that they were unfairly discriminated against because of their race. The firemen claimed the discrimination denied them the chance to receive promotions. The decision reverses one made by Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonya Sotomayor. In his opinion to the court, Justice Anthony Kennedy said that “Fear of litigation alone cannot justify an employer's reliance on race to the detriment of individuals who passed the examinations and qualified for promotions.” Chief Justices John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas shared his sentiment.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented, noting that the firefighters "understandably attract this court's sympathy. But they had no vested right to promotion. Nor have other persons received promotions in preference to them." Justices Stephen Breyer, David Souter and John Paul Stevens concurred.

The decision is a striking blow to those who seek to use race and discrimination frivolously, and even though its intent was otherwise, it is bound to impact those who might have legitimate claims to the matter. Rooted in New Haven's effort to fill vacant leadership positions within its fire department, the fight began when a test created by an outside authority was administered to the firemen. Fifty six firefighters passed the exams; 41 whites, 22 blacks and 18 Hispanics but only 17 whites and two Hispanics could expect promotions.

New Haven discarded the exam results due to no Blacks and only two Hispanic firefighters being eligible to receive promotions, an act that city officials admitted to authorizing out of fear of litigation due to the test making them being vulnerable to claims that the exam had a "disparate impact" on minorities, violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As of 2003, only one Black person has achieved the rank of captain New Haven's fire department; there are 21 in all.

Coolio Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Possession Charges

Monday, June 29th, 2009

90's rapper-turned-reality TV star Coolio, 45, whose government name is Artist Leon Ivey, Jr., plead guilty June 26 after being charged with possession of cocaine.

The rapper is known best for his hits in the mid-1990's which included “Gangsta's Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage.”

The charges come from an incident on March 6th where he was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport, where cocaine was found inside a luggage search by authorities. Along with possession of cocaine, Coolio made matters worse by resisting arrest (more...)

Jay-Z Unveils Death of Autotune (D.O.A.) Video

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Immediately following the BET awards, fans got to see the world premiere of Jay Z's “Death of Auto-Tune” video. Jamie Foxx premiered it on the awards post show saying, “Death to auto-tune except for me. That damn 'Blame It ' is doing some things…Jigga gotta give me a pass!”

The video opens in a dark alley with a vintage car pulling up and Jay in the back seat. Lyor Cohen, the head of Warner music group makes a cameo in the video as his driver, and salutes Jay as he walks into an old abandoned warehouse. Inside he performs with a live band and it cuts to shot of a gold chain (more...)

No Bay Bay: Hurricane Chris, We Don't Jig For Masa No Mo'

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Let's all take a moment and reflect on another FAIL for Hip-Hop by the hands of a rapper from Louisiana. A YouTube video shows rapper Chris Dooley Jr. aka Hurricane Chris dressed in his Easter Sunday suit in front of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Why you ask? He is being “honored” by being able to perform for them.

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY THAT IS AN HONOR? No seriously, tell me. In an almost painful to watch video Hurricane Chris gives the House a performance they'll never forget. Braided and beaded up Chris tries his hardest to get the House “Ratchet, Ratcheeeet” by performing “Halle Berry” and fails...MISERABLY. (more...)

Katherine Jackson Files For Custody Of Michael's Kids

Monday, June 29th, 2009

The three children of Michael Jackson are currently being taken care of by their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Katherine filed a guardianship petition in court today for custody of her three grandchildren. According to the Associated Press, the family hasn't heard from two of the children's biological mother Deborah Rowe about custody. “I don't think there will be anybody that thinks that there is someone better than Katherine Jackson to have custody,” said family attorney Londell McMillan. “She is a very loving host of her other grandchildren.” Legally, Deborah Rowe has the most legal claim to her children, 12 year old Prince Michael and 11 year old Paris Michael Katherine. The youngest child, Prince Michael II a.k.a. Blanket is the child of a surrogate mother. Blanket's mother was never identified and even if she does come forward, it's likely that she signed away her rights to the child. (more...)

UPDATE: Madoff Gets 150 Years

Monday, June 29th, 2009

story1e3aac3a7dc4d9ca09aee81248667cd9

District Judge Denny Chin listened to the call of the people, choosing to send the greatest thief of modern times to prison for the rest of his natural life, handing down a less than astounding sentence of 150 years. The ruling, granted much to the delight of prosecutors from the U.S. District Attorneys Office, was the maximum punishment that Madoff was eligible to receive under the maximum statutory allowance for the crimes that he committed. Defense attorneys for the great swindler sought a 12 year sentence, citing that the 71-year old thief had only 13 years of life left.

Tru Life Indicted On Murder Charges

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Once dubbed to be Jay-Z's protégé for Roc-A-Fella, it has been reported that artist Roberto “Tru Life” Rosado has been indicted on a murder charge and will remain behind bars in a New York prison.

The charge revolves around stabbings on June 15 which left two casualties. Christopher Guerrero, 20, was left fatally wounded and Jason Grey, 27, is in critical condition. Rosado is being held without bail for allegedly stabbing Guerrero in the stomach and Grey in the chest.

A 1st Degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under New York's law.

The 33-year-old rapper allegedly turned himself in last week, (more...)

Bernard Madoff Awaits Sentencing

Monday, June 29th, 2009

story1e3aac3a7dc4d9ca09aee81248667cd9

In a matter of hours, the world will have discovered what becomes of world-class swindlers in the United States of America. Bernard “Bernie” Madoff, undisputed master bilker and the greatest thief of the modern era, will face a judge and receive his sentence for his crimes against the American people. U.S. District Judge Denny Chin of Manhattan will play the role of hatchet man with Madoff portraying the Louis XVI, due to be executed, though figuratively speaking this time, for crimes against the people. In March he admitted to masterminding and operating one of the most intricate, largest, and lengthiest Ponzi-schemes in history. Thousands were robbed for billions of dollars.

Spectators numbering in the hundred, including several of Madoff's victims, are expected to attend the trial today. Prosecutors form the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan are requesting that a sentence under the statutory maximum be given, which if handed down, would effectively guarantee that the 71-year-old crook will die while incarcerated. Under the maximum statutory allowance for the crimes of which he is accused, Madoff can either receive 150 years in a federal penitentiary or a general sentence that will see him spend the rest of his natural life in prison. Ira Sorkin, Madoff's lawyer, is facing an uphill battle as he is seeking clemency for his client. Based solely on the premise that time will ultimately rob anyone of any satisfaction that would find any in seeing the pilfering senior citizen rot behind bar, Sorkin is pushing for the court to sentence his client to 12 years, as he is only expected to live for another 13. As an alternative, he has requested that 15 to 20 years be given if the first request is not possible.

Ruth Madoff, wife of Bernard, agreed to forfeit her claim to $80 million in cash and assets in a deal with the U.S. Attorneys Office that was finalized last Friday. Federal officials allowed her to keep $2.5 million in cash. Her husband has pleaded guilty to 11 criminal charges including multiple counts of fraud and money laundering in a scheme that can be traced back to the recession years of the 80's. Only $1.2 billion in cash and assets has been recovered thus far, with the misses giving over $48,500 worth of fur coats; $13.2 billion is estimated to have been stolen since 1995.