Mychal Bell, the Black teen from Jena, La., who was convicted of beating a White classmate in a case that triggered the largest civil rights gathering in several years, has been released from jail.
A judge ordered the 17-year-old freed on $45,000 bail just hours after the prosecutor announced that he would not pursue adult charges against Bell, one of the teens known as the “Jena 6.”
But his case is far from over.
Bell still faces trial in juvenile court in December, which is what civil rights leaders and tens of thousands of activists argued should have happened all along.
The massive public outcry over the prosecution of the "Jena 6" centered on the seeming harshness of the charges filed against them. District Attorney Reed Walters levied attempted murder and conspiracy charges against five of the group – which could have landed them in prison for up to 80 years – for their fight with Justin Barker. The White teen was knocked unconscious by Bell and later treated at a local hospital, which released him after three hours.
Walters later reduced the charges to second-degree battery and conspiracy, which could have drawn 20-year sentences. (Charges for one of the juveniles were never disclosed.)
Only one of the six, Bell, was tried and convicted, but an appeals court judge threw it out because Bell was a minor, 16, at the time of the crime, which meant it should have been tried in juvenile court, he said.
Bell has remained in jail, even though the conviction was overturned on Sept. 15, as Walters pondered whether to bring new charges.
"We still have mountains to climb, but at least this is closer to an even playing field," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who helped organize last week's protest. "He goes home because a lot of people left their home and stood up for him."
Sunday, September 30, 2007
O'Reilly Outraged
Fox News Channel host Bill O'Reilly says comments he made on the radio about Blacks were taken out of context. And he says anyone who was offended by what he said: "Would have to be looking to be offended."
O'Reilly raised eyebrows when he told his syndicated radio show he "couldn't get over" the fact that Black patrons at a famous Harlem restaurant didn't cut the fool the night he dined with civil rights activist Al Sharpton.
"There was no difference between Sylvia’s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by Blacks, primarily Black patronship," O’Reilly effused. “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M-Fer, I want more iced tea,’” O’Reilly said.
“You know, I mean, everybody was — it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-White suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn’t any kind of craziness at all.”
But the shock for Bill-O didn't stop there.
"I think Black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves." O’Reilly’s ill-advised words became a topic of discussion on CNN Tuesday, which added to the conservative commentator’s outrage.
Speaking to The Associated Press, O'Reilly said theliberal group Media Matters "cherry-picked" remarks he made about racial attitudes. He says he had been telling his audience his grandmother and many other Whites feared Blacks because they didn't know any and because they had been swayed by violent images in Black culture.
Meanwhile, Sylvia's manager tells the New York Daily News O'Reilly's remarks were "insulting" and showed he has little knowledge of the black community.
O'Reilly raised eyebrows when he told his syndicated radio show he "couldn't get over" the fact that Black patrons at a famous Harlem restaurant didn't cut the fool the night he dined with civil rights activist Al Sharpton.
"There was no difference between Sylvia’s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by Blacks, primarily Black patronship," O’Reilly effused. “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M-Fer, I want more iced tea,’” O’Reilly said.
“You know, I mean, everybody was — it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-White suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn’t any kind of craziness at all.”
But the shock for Bill-O didn't stop there.
"I think Black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves." O’Reilly’s ill-advised words became a topic of discussion on CNN Tuesday, which added to the conservative commentator’s outrage.
Speaking to The Associated Press, O'Reilly said theliberal group Media Matters "cherry-picked" remarks he made about racial attitudes. He says he had been telling his audience his grandmother and many other Whites feared Blacks because they didn't know any and because they had been swayed by violent images in Black culture.
Meanwhile, Sylvia's manager tells the New York Daily News O'Reilly's remarks were "insulting" and showed he has little knowledge of the black community.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Kanye West Destroys 50 Cent In SoundScan Battle, Sells 930,251 CDs Compared To Fif's 659,682 units.
According to soundscan numbers, Kanye West has OFFICIALLY DEFEATED 50 Cent. His album Graduation sold 930,251 copies in its first week. 50 CENT's Cutis sold only 659,682 Units (And, in case you're wondering, KENNY CHESNEY sold 400,202 units).
This news apparently comes as no surprise to Kanye. In an interview with popular Chicago radio personality Kendra G, Kanye was quoted as saying, "I always knew I was fixin' to win, that's why I played it real humble." Well guess he's not playing humble anymore...
In related news, MediaaTakeOut.com has learned that a disappointed 50 Cent has canceled three major performances in Europe. The three appearances were the MOBO Awards, the Vodafone Live Music Awards, and an MTV Germany performance.
No word on what, if any, appearances 50 intends on making this week...
Friday, September 14, 2007
50 Cent Interview: Tells The People He's Done With Rap
50 Cent with Jim Jones & Juelz LIVE NYC
50 Cent & Jim Jones on Rap City
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Kanye West On Pace To Outsell 50 Cent Says SoundScan, 437K Ye CDs Already Sold
Kanye West's Graduation has reportedly trumped 50 Cent's Curtis in first week sales and is on pace to be the No. 1 album on The Billboard 200 next week.
According to Billboard, Nielsen's SoundScan recently launched Building Charts, a program that tracks weekly sales from eight leading accounts set up by music retailers nationwide including Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Borders, CircuitCity, iTunes and Target.
The Building Charts reading for Wednesday afternoon (September 12) revealed that Kanye's Graduation had first week sales of 437,000. Sales for 50 Cent's Curtis sales read off at 310,000 and country singer Kenny Chesney's album, Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates, shifted 107,000 copies.
A poll and a survey conducted by SOHH before and after both albums from West and 50 leaked onto the internet predicted that Kanye would outsell 50 Cent in the first week.
If Graduation sells over 468,000 copies before Sunday (September 16), when the Nielsen SoundScan week officially ends, the album will snatch the title of rap's biggest first-week sales in 2007 from T.I.'s latest effort, T.I. vs. TIP.
Graduation features appearances from guest spots from Mos Def, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, T-Pain, Lil' Wayne, Daft Punk and DJ Premier.
According to Billboard, Nielsen's SoundScan recently launched Building Charts, a program that tracks weekly sales from eight leading accounts set up by music retailers nationwide including Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Borders, CircuitCity, iTunes and Target.
The Building Charts reading for Wednesday afternoon (September 12) revealed that Kanye's Graduation had first week sales of 437,000. Sales for 50 Cent's Curtis sales read off at 310,000 and country singer Kenny Chesney's album, Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates, shifted 107,000 copies.
A poll and a survey conducted by SOHH before and after both albums from West and 50 leaked onto the internet predicted that Kanye would outsell 50 Cent in the first week.
If Graduation sells over 468,000 copies before Sunday (September 16), when the Nielsen SoundScan week officially ends, the album will snatch the title of rap's biggest first-week sales in 2007 from T.I.'s latest effort, T.I. vs. TIP.
Graduation features appearances from guest spots from Mos Def, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, T-Pain, Lil' Wayne, Daft Punk and DJ Premier.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Yung Joc On The Frank Ski & Wanda Show on V103
He talks about ablum sells and more.
Mr. Entertainment
Mr. Entertainment
Monday, September 10, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Update: R. Kelly's Child Porn Trial Delayed...Again
R. Kelly's pending child pornography case has been delayed and, as of press time, has not been rescheduled.
According to The Chicago Daily Herald Kells' trial has been postponed due to "personal" reasons.
"Under doctor's orders, the lead prosecutor, who has recently given birth, is not able to proceed at this time," a statement from the court revealed earlier today (September 4).
Kelly appeared in Judge Vincent Michael Gaughan's courtroom today (September 4), expecting pre-trial motions, but instead was hit with deja vu.
As SOHH previously reported the controversial trial, which Kells was indicted for in 2002, has a long history of setbacks, including Kelly's appendix surgery last February, and last summer when Judge Gaughan broke his back.
Jury selection was to begin on September 17.
Kelly faces 14 counts of child pornography involving a videotape documenting sexual relations with a teenage girl. Prosecutors have said the victim could be as young as 13. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Kells has pleaded not guilty.
According to The Chicago Daily Herald Kells' trial has been postponed due to "personal" reasons.
"Under doctor's orders, the lead prosecutor, who has recently given birth, is not able to proceed at this time," a statement from the court revealed earlier today (September 4).
Kelly appeared in Judge Vincent Michael Gaughan's courtroom today (September 4), expecting pre-trial motions, but instead was hit with deja vu.
As SOHH previously reported the controversial trial, which Kells was indicted for in 2002, has a long history of setbacks, including Kelly's appendix surgery last February, and last summer when Judge Gaughan broke his back.
Jury selection was to begin on September 17.
Kelly faces 14 counts of child pornography involving a videotape documenting sexual relations with a teenage girl. Prosecutors have said the victim could be as young as 13. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Kells has pleaded not guilty.
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