News: Winter Solstice 2K7

[kiml122]

Originally Posted by txdiva

Shar did!

That is what's up

[kiml122]

Originally Posted by Wonderful1908

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The Georgia Supreme Court on Friday ordered that Genarlow Wilson be released from prison, ruling 4-3 that his sentence for a teen sex conviction was cruel and unusual punishment.


Genarlow Wilson's case received national attention and led to changes in Georgia law.

Wilson, 21, was convicted in 2005 of having oral sex with a consenting 15-year-old girl when he was 17.

He has served more than two years in prison.

Wilson's attorney, B.J. Bernstein, told CNN she is working to gain his quick release, which could come sometime Friday. She said she called the prison warden, who informed Wilson.

"We've been praying for it every day," Bernstein said of the court's decision. "We want him home."

Bernstein added that the ruling shows "the courts do work." She said Wilson's mother, Juannessa Bennett, is "overjoyed."

A spokesman for Georgia Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker said there will be no further appeals. Watch what has to happen before Wilson goes home »

"I respectfully acknowledge the court's authority to grant the relief that they have crafted in this case," Baker said.

"I hope the court's decision will also put an end to this issue as a matter of contention in the hearts and minds of concerned Georgians and others across the country who have taken such a strong interest in this case."

Don't Miss
Georgia Supreme Court's order
Friday's decision came after a protracted legal battle that has galvanized international attention and drawn the involvement of civil rights leaders. Partly as a result of Wilson's conviction, state legislators changed the law to make such consensual conduct between minors a misdemeanor, rather than a felony.

"The release of Genarlow Wilson by the Georgia Supreme Court is a significant victory in redressing the reckless and biased behavior of the criminal justice system that now operates in many states across the union," the Rev. Al Sharpton said.

"The bad news is that his young life was so unfairly interrupted with time that no state court can recover for him," Sharpton added. "This is why the Justice Department and federal government must review state courts that willfully and almost without pause violate the civil rights of people, particularly young black men around this country."

Wilson was an honor student, a football star and his high school's homecoming king before his conviction.

Prosecutors offered him deals, but he and his attorneys rejected them, saying anything that leaves a record for him as a registered sex offender is unfair.

At the time of Wilson's conviction, Georgia law made the crime punishable by 10 years in prison. Changes in the law made such conduct "punishable by no more than a year in prison and no sex offender registration," the Georgia high court noted.

But those changes were not made retroactive, so they did not apply to Wilson.

The high court upheld the decision of a Monroe County judge. In a 48-page opinion, the court said the "severe" punishment Wilson received and his mandated sex offender registration make "no measurable contribution to acceptable goals of punishment."

The case revolves around a 2003 New Year's Eve party outside Atlanta when Wilson engaged in the sex act with the girl.

Under the now-changed Georgia law, Wilson was convicted of felony aggravated child molestation. He was acquitted on a second charge of raping a 17-year-old girl -- who prosecutors maintained was too intoxicated at the party to consent.

The 10-year sentence was mandatory under the law.

In the decision, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears wrote that changes in the law "represent a seismic shift in the legislature's view of the gravity of oral sex between two willing teenage participants."

"Although society has a significant interest in protecting children from premature sexual activity, we must acknowledge that Wilson's crime does not rise to the level of culpability of adults who prey on children," the court's majority found.

"For the law to punish Wilson as it would an adult, with the extraordinarily harsh punishment of 10 years in prison without the possibility of probation or parole, appears to be grossly disproportionate to his crime," the majority opinion concluded.

The dissent noted that the Georgia Legislature had made clear that the changes in the law were not to be applied retroactively.

Writing for the dissenting justices, Justice George Carley said, "The General Assembly made the express decision that he cannot benefit from the subsequent legislative determination to reduce the sentence for commission of that crime from felony to misdemeanor status."

The majority countered that it was not applying the 2006 amendment retroactively, but instead factoring that "into its determination that Wilson's punishment is cruel and unusual," the court said in a news release.

The court said this kind of decision is unusual: "The majority opinion points out that this court rarely overturns a sentence on cruel and unusual grounds. But twice before, it did so following a legislative change."

The Monroe County Superior Court judge also ruled that Wilson's punishment was cruel and unusual and voided it on constitutional grounds.

The judge reduced the sentence to one year and said Wilson should not be put on Georgia's sex offender registry, as the old law required.

Wilson's jubilant attorneys had hoped that ruling would free him from state prison. But shortly after it was handed down, Georgia's attorney general announced he would appeal that decision, a move that kept Wilson behind bars.

The Georgia high court said unanimously that the decision to deny Wilson bail was correct.


Wilson's plight drew pleas for his release, including from former President Carter, himself an ex-Georgia governor, and even some jurors who convicted him.

Legislation that would make the change in Georgia's child molestation law retroactive to free Wilson failed to win approval earlier this year. E-mail to a friend

CNN's Mary Lynn Ryan contributed to this report.

All About Genarlow Wilson

I heard about this earlier today while at work.....YAY...it's about time, and I hear that the other boy who was also put in prison for the same thing but the girls father made her file charges could also be getting out as well.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by Wonderful1908

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The Georgia Supreme Court on Friday ordered that Genarlow Wilson be released from prison, ruling 4-3 that his sentence for a teen sex conviction was cruel and unusual punishment.

In the decision, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears wrote that changes in the law "represent a seismic shift in the legislature's view of the gravity of oral sex between two willing teenage participants."

"Although society has a significant interest in protecting children from premature sexual activity, we must acknowledge that Wilson's crime does not rise to the level of culpability of adults who prey on children," the court's majority found.

"For the law to punish Wilson as it would an adult, with the extraordinarily harsh punishment of 10 years in prison without the possibility of probation or parole, appears to be grossly disproportionate to his crime," the majority opinion concluded.


CNN's Mary Lynn Ryan contributed to this report.

All About Genarlow Wilson

That is our Soror. She is the first Black woman to become a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the state of Georgia, and I believe the first black woman to hold that position in the United States.

[nikki1920]

Thank you, Sistergreek Sears!!!!!!

[Steeltrap]

^^
The sentence was excessive, for sure.

Switching subject, Soror Star @ a Princess Grace Foundation event. BGA not pictured:



Mellody Hobson and George Lucas. I don't care how rich he is, he's rough looking:

[jitterbug13]

Guess who else is coming out with a book?

http://blackvoices.aol.com/blogs/200...new-book/#cont

And you know I will be getting this. Expect new quotes around the holidays.

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

Guess who else is coming out with a book?

http://blackvoices.aol.com/blogs/200...new-book/#cont

And you know I will be getting this. Expect new quotes around the holidays.

^^^^Awwwwww hayle!!!!

[Steeltrap]

Soror Kamala Harris, SF district attorney:



Monique Brown, Jim Brown and Shelton Jackson Lee. Why does Spikey insist on wearing this odd tux?



Spike and Opie, oka Ron Howard. Now that I think of this, where was Tonya?

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Steeltrap

Spike and Opie, oka Ron Howard. Now that I think of this, where was Tonya?

It is surprising, since Tonya makes the rounds on the social scene around here. Maybe she's working on her next book?

[Confucius]

4-1-1 FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 29th, 2007

With tears in her eyes, Oprah apologized for the recent activity at her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. The school opened to much fanfare at the beginning of the year, but for the past few weeks, the school has been rocked by scandal involving allegations of abuse. Oprah says she feels she let the parents down, and now she is working overtime to prevent any more mishaps. The staffer in question has been fired, and charges will be filed. The school’s principal has been suspended along with another staffer. Friends are worried about Winfrey because the stress of the scandal is taking a toll on her along with her thyroid condition. At the emergency meeting with parents and students, she made sure they had all of her important information so they can contact her immediately if there are any problems. Oprah says she is going to do everything possible to make sure this does not happen again.

Tracy Morgan has been let off the hook. Under doctor’s orders, he will no longer have to wear his alcohol monitoring device. Morgan was supposed to wear the device until the end of the year. But, because of a mysterious medical condition, the device is coming off. Morgan will still attend AA meetings and submit to alcohol testing.

Jennifer Hudson has dropped the janitor. BO (Before Oscar), Hudson was in love with her high school sweetheart James Peyton. AO (After Oscar), Hudson took up with a pro football player. In a shocking move, Hudson is now dating Kerry Rhodes of the New York Jets. He’s a 6’3, 25-year old free safety, and he and Hudson appear very close. There has been no word on why the Oscar-winning actress and singer dumped her longtime love.

Nicole Murphy and Lisa Raye are shooting down reports that Nicole is messing around with Lisa Raye’s husband, Prime Minister Michael Misick. Nicole, the ex-wife of Eddie Murphy, has been spotted with the Prime Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Lisa Raye says they are friends and nothing is going on. Nicole concurs as she is happily seeing football player Michael Strahan of the New York Giants.


Actor Laurence Fishburne is returning to Broadway in the production Thurgood. The Broadway show will be based on the life of famed Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Fishburne was last on Broadway in 1999.

Actress Tasha Smith, the scene stealer from Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married, has picked her next project. Smith will be playing Disco Queen Donna Summer in a project based on her life as a chart topping superstar who finds her true self after a battle with drugs. Smith says she’s excited about the project and working with Donna Summer.

Don’t mess with The Temptations! Otis Williams, the only surviving original member of the group, is suing some former members of The Temps: Ollie Woodson, Barrington Henderson and Glen Leonard. Williams claims by performing under the name The Legendary Lead Singers of the Temptations, they are hurting the reputation and the name The Temptations. Otis says he has the rights to the name, and they can’t use it.

I had a chance to catch up with Singer Patti LaBelle, and she’s got a lot going on. Patti will be appearing on the new NBC show Clash of The Choirs. The show will air on NBC, Dec. 17th-20th. She has also introduced her new line of hot sauces, plus she’s working on a new cookbook and a DVD where she shows you how to whip up her specialties. LaBelle is also introducing a new line of Wigs, working a reunion of her group LaBelle and she’s got a new Christmas album in stores. WHEW! Patti LaBelle is one busy lady.

Tyra Banks is also a busy lady. The supermodel and entertainment mogul has just signed a new deal with Warner Bros. to develop TV projects and DVD’s geared towards teens.

Singer Angie Stone is fed up with her baby daddy D’Angelo. The two have a ten-year old son, and Stone has always made a point not to badmouth D’Angelo in public. D’Angelo has had his share of problems with drugs, violence and jail time, and many are wondering if he has had a relapse. Stone was quite angry in a recent interview warning her ex better get it together.

Actor Ving Rhames is set to portray boxing legend Sonny Liston in a new movie. Years ago, Rhames played boxing Promoter Don King in a TV movie.

The Color Purple road tour is coming to Philadelphia. The Oprah Winfrey Production will kick off an extended stay June 17th, 2008 at The Academy of Music.

Is Nicole Richie smoking while she’s pregnant? Lionel Richie’s daughter says no but she was recently photographed with cigarette in hand.

In a new poll by Vanity Fair magazine, Prince’s Purple Rain was listed as the best movie soundtrack. Purple Rain beat out such classic soundtracks as Grease, Claudine, West Side Story, Superfly and Saturday Night Fever.

At the movies this week, it’s Denzel Washington in American Gangster with Russell Crowe, Cuba Gooding, Jr. & Rapper T.I.
The movie has been getting rave reviews, but it has also been the victim of major bootlegging. Was the movie sabotaged? The bootleg version, which has been on the streets for a couple of weeks, is crystal clear, which means someone at the movie studio had to be behind the leak. How could this happen? Bootleg hurts movies, especially movies which star African Americans. Sources say Denzel was very upset about the bootleg issue and the fact that his movie hit the streets before it hit theatres.

Action Star Jackie Chan will be singing the official countdown song for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The song is called We Are Ready. We all know Chan for his daredevil stunts and the Rush Hour movies. Who knew he could sing?

Why does Bill Cosby always wear sunglasses when he’s on TV? Something is wrong with his right eye. Sources say it could be the early stages of Glaucoma.

Queen Latifah opened up about a lot of things in her recent cover story for People magazine, but she clammed up when asked about her private life. If you are looking for revelations from the Queen, forget about it. She will never reveal anything about her private life, or who she is seeing. As the Queen says, her private life is her private life. Nuff said.

Alicia Keys will release her new CD, As I Am, on November 13th.
Check her out on the November issue of Ebony magazine.

The musical Hairspray with John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Zach Efron comes out on DVD Nov. 20th

“The Boss”-Diana Ross, Director Martin Scorsese, Beach Boy Founder Brian Wilson and Comedian/Actor Steve Martin have been named for The 2007 Kennedy Center Honors. The awards ceremony takes place on December 26th on CBS.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

This Mega Producer and music legend continues to embarrass himself by dating women young enough to be his granddaughters. His latest conquest is an internet stripper.

This Acclaimed Minister and gospel sensation claims to have changed his ways, but his past is catching up to him and his former lovers are talking. They claim he hates his baby momma, and he still feels pulled in by his former lifestyle. The former lovers say he protests too much, and should be quiet because he still keeps in touch with former lovers.

This woman was a TV Star in the 80’s. In addition to her TV show, she did a couple of movies. But, she was known for her stuck up, hilarious character. Since the TV show ended, she has not been on TV much. She is now a wife and mother. She recently hosted a film festival, and organizers were shocked at her behavior. She was acting like a drunken witch barking orders and creating havoc with other celebrities.


Upcoming Movies and Events:


This Christmas – Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Chris Brown, Idris Elba, November 21st.

The Better Man- Martin Lawrence, Mo’Nique and James Earl Jones, February 2008.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Steeltrap]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

It is surprising, since Tonya makes the rounds on the social scene around here. Maybe she's working on her next book?

I hope so. The Two Mrs. Walkers was supposed to come out this year, but I've heard that it got pushed back to 2008. I loved Gotham Diaries; my book club mates didn't have love for it.

Now as for Patty's blind items:

The first one is QJ, oka Quincy Jones.

The third one is Jasmine Guy. The "snobby character" was the key tipoff.

[jitterbug13]

I think the second blind item is Donnie McClurkin.

JHud: I knew she wasn't going to be with that guy much longer. Especially when you got an Oscar in one hand and a Golden Globe in the other.

The Temptations are going to go to court to find out that Berry Gordy probaby really has the right to the name.

It's been proven that the pic of Nicole was fake or was taken before she was pregnant. Saw that on TMZ.

I saw one of the quotes in which Angie talked about D'Angelo.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Confucius

4-1-1 FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 29th, 2007

Why does Bill Cosby always wear sunglasses when he’s on TV? Something is wrong with his right eye. Sources say it could be the early stages of Glaucoma.

They've been saying that Bill has glaucoma for the longest time...

[Wonderful1908]

This woman was a TV Star in the 80’s. In addition to her TV show, she did a couple of movies. But, she was known for her stuck up, hilarious character. Since the TV show ended, she has not been on TV much. She is now a wife and mother. She recently hosted a film festival, and organizers were shocked at her behavior. She was acting like a drunken witch barking orders and creating havoc with other celebrities.


Jasmine Guy?

[jitterbug13]

For ST, update on her favorite NBA player...

http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/08/shaunie-smacks-shaq/