August 27th, 2008
“Rampage” Jackson could get prison for car chase
Former mixed martial arts UFC champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson could get three years in prison following his recent California road race with cops. The Orange County DA has charged Jackson with evading while driving recklessly, evading a peace officer, hit-and-run and reckless driving after Jackson allegedly fled police in a monster truck bearing his painted image. Jackson was also recently given a mental evaluation after he was found at home despondent. He reportedly has been depressed since losing his title belt in a bout this summer. Jackson allegedly hit two cars on a freeway, hit another car on a surface street and sent pedestrians running for safety during the police episode.
Nine-year-old’s talent threatens teams. Jericho Scott’s 40 miles-per-hour pitches have a Connecticut baseball league pitching fits. Scott, who’s 9, recently caused a team opposing his Power Fitness-sponsored squad to forfeit when they learned that he would take the mound. Discussions have ranged from having the three-year-old Youth Baseball League of New Haven’s teams re-configured to refunding sign-up fees to anyone requesting it. “I feel sad,” the young pitcher says. “I feel like it’s my fault nobody could play.” Jericho’s coach and parents defend him, arguing that he’s never hurt anyone and that he shouldn’t be outcast for being “too good.” A lawyer has planned to meet with Jericho’s parents to consider action that could secure his right to compete in the league after he was banned shortly before playoffs.
The LPGA Takes An English-only position. The LPGA’s is going to require that players speak English. Read more in Playa Hater.
TAGS: car, chase, competitors; Quinton, english, fastball, Hater, jackson, League, little, Nine-year-old, Playa, prison, rampage, scare
June 13th, 2008
Cops in ritzy N.Y. neighborhood chase Black kids away. A New York lawyer is screaming “racism” after police in the upscale Brooklyn community of Manhattan Beach told a group of Black teenagers to get out of the neighborhood. Gene Berardelli, a Brooklyn-based attorney, says that the group of teens was blocked by police on Friday. “Black kids were told
get out of the neighborhood,” Berardelli said. “It was definitely a Black and White issue. Black teens were not welcome in Manhattan Beach and police, on behalf of the neighborhood, let them know that.” Police said that Friday was “cut day,” when students traditionally skip school, and the officers had good reason to turn the students away. “[They would] either be brought back to the track site for truancy, or brought back to the school where they belong. We can’t allow kids to cut out of school,” NYPD Lt. Fernando Villafan said. But, Berardelli countered, “There’s no way they couldn’t know they were cutting class because they didn’t ask to see their program cards. They didn’t bother to check anybody’s identification,” he said.
Atlanta’s ex-mayor convict duped prison officials to enter rehab. Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, who is serving a 30-month prison sentence for tax evasion, finagled his way into a drug program to lop 500 hours off his term.
Somehow, according to recently unsealed court documents, Campbell was able to dupe officials at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to bend their policy and allow him to enroll in the residential rehabilitation program. He earned a “certificate of completion” last December for his “effort toward his personal growth.” He was rewarded for completing the program by being transferred to a halfway house earlier this year and was all set for an early release. But federal prosecutors in Atlanta heard about it and immediately demanded that Campbell be re-evaluated. It didn’t take long after the prison administrator’s one-on-one with Campbell to revoke his certificate and put the former mayor back to the rear of the line for release. So, instead of collecting his property and strolling out of prison on June 23, Campbell will kick it at the low-security facility near Miami until Oct. 25. Campbell ’s lawyer, Patricia Jean Kyle of Miami , told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it initially seemed as if the Bureau of Prisons overstepped its authority in rescinding Campbell ’s early release. “Ultimately, Mr. Campbell agreed that the [bureau] had not acted beyond its authority” and then dismissed his complaint, she said.
Dr. Ben Carson to add Presidential Medal of Freedom to achievements. The man who made medical history by successfully separating Siamese twins in 1987 will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dr. Ben Carson’s selection
for the nation’s highest official civilian honor was announced by the White House this week. Carson, author of the book Gifted Hands, overcame a disadvantaged upbringing in Detroit to earn the title of Pediatric Neurosurgery director at Johns Hopkins Hospital by age 33. Carson recently delivered the commencement address at George Washington University.
TAGS: atlanta, black, campbell, carson, chase, drbencarson, exmayor, freedom, medal, NewYork, youth