Rodney King Death Details Emerge: He Had Been Drugging and Drinking
Details began to emerge Sunday about the death of Rodney King, a key figure in the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
As we reported earlier, King was 47 and died of an apparent drowning at his Rialto, California home.
Here’s an update from the LA Times:
King’s fiancée called 911 about 5:25 a.m. and said she found King at the bottom of his pool, Sgt. Paul Stella said.
A short time earlier, Cynthia Kelley had talked to King, who was outside, through a sliding-glass door, said Rialto Police Capt. Randy DeAnda. She then heard a splash and ran out, DeAnda said. She saw King at the bottom of the pool at the deep end, he said.
Kelley is “not a great swimmer,” DeAnda said, explaining why she did not jump in. Police arrived moments later and an officer jumped in the pool and pulled King’s body onto the deck.
“There were no signs of life,” DeAnda said.
Next-door neighbor Sandra Gardea, 31, said she heard commotion in King’s backyard early Sunday morning. Gardea said about 3 or 3:30 a.m. she heard someone sobbing.
“It just sounded like someone was really sad,” she said. “There was a lot of moaning and crying. Another person was trying to console that person.”
King became a symbol for police brutality and the troubled relations between the LAPD and minority residents. He was eventually awarded a $3.8-million settlement, but the money and fame brought him little solace. He had repeated run-ins with the law and as of April said he was broke.
“I sometimes feel like I’m caught in a vise. Some people feel like I’m some kind of hero,” he told The Times earlier this year. “Others hate me. They say I deserved it. Other people, I can hear them mocking me for when I called for an end to the destruction, like I’m a fool for believing in peace.”
Meanwhile, Rodney King’s fiancée is telling friends King had been drinking all day Saturday … and had been smoking marijuana in the hours leading up to his death, reports TMZ.
According to our sources, King’s fiancée, Cynthia Kelley, is telling friends King was at the house all day drinking, and he smoked marijuana at some point, before she went to went to bed at 2:00 AM.
According to both the LA Times and TMZ reports, officers at the scene attempted CPR on King, which was continued when paramedics arrived.
King was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton where he was pronounced dead at 6:11 AM.
Drake To Be Charged Over Brawl With Chris Brown
Hip-Hop star Drake will be charged with reckless endangerment over a brawl that left five people injured, including singer Chris Brown.
According to the New York Post, if Drake does not agree to surrender by next week, police are considering arresting him at his concert at Jones Beach tonight (June 16).
A Lawyer for Chris Brown labeled Drake and his posse “thugs.”
Brown is being represented by high-powered attorney Mark Geragos, who has represented clients like ask Michael Jackson, murderer Scott Peterson, Roger Clinton Jr. and others.
“I believe the police are building a case against Drake and his thugs,” Geragos told the New York Post. “Clearly, Drake was the instigator, and there is evidence he threw glassware.”
Meanwhile, the fall out continues over the brawl at W.i.P., which left one concertgoer with 16 stitches in her head.
NBA star Tony Parker was injured in the incident, as well as Chris Brown bodyguard Big Pat
One injured attendee has said that she already plans on filing a lawsuit against both parties, due to injuries she sustained in the massive fight.
Chris Brown is not out of the clear as of yet either.
Authorities are investigating if one of the men in his entourage was a Crip gang member.
If so, Brown would have violated his probation, as he is barred from associating with gang members.
Police are also investigating if a gunshot was fired in the club during the brawl.
Ninja Man returns to Sumfest
After two years behind bars, one of dancehall's more controversial figures, Ninja Man, has found himself among a line-up of stars for Reggae Sumfest's dancehall night.
The event's organisers, who are celebrating Sumfest's 20th year, have finalised a dynamic line-up for Thursday, July 19th's Dancehall Night in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.
This year's tagline 'Looking Back, Moving Forward', suggests the night will have a mix of veterans and younger artistes. Patrons can decide where Ninja Man lies.
Ninja Man will join Beenie Man, I-Octane, Cham, Konshens, Popcaan, Assassin, Aidonia, KipRich, Tommy Lee, Spice, Khago, Tifa, Jahvinci, Baby Tash, Specialist, Potential Kid and Zamunda.
Tremendous hit
Cham, who also represents older artistes has spent much of the last few years of his career overseas and is only now making a return to the marketplace that brought him success. His presence is highly anticipated.
Last Sumfest, Dancehall Night proved to be a tremendous hit and the 2012 line-up suggests it could hit again.
The show dubbed, 'The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth', will celebrate Jamaica's 50th year of Independence with a musical journey through the decades.
Apart from that, Sumfest's two other nights, International Night 1 (Friday, July 20) and International Night II (Saturday, July 21) also have much in store.
On the first of the international nights, Shabba Ranks makes a long-awaited return to a Jamaican stage. Another headliner, Trey Songz, also promises much on the night.
International Night II is just as interesting, as R Kelly, who was to have made the trip to Reggae Sumfest last year but fell ill, will be attempting to make amends.
Sumfest activities actually begin as early as the Sunday before with a beach party, which is usually well attended by Montegonians. This year, the beach party will be followed by a Sound Clash night on Tuesday, July 17.
Reggae Sumfest is sponsored by Digicel, Red Stripe, Iberostar, Jamaica Tourist Board, The Gleaner Company Ltd and Pepsi.
Radiohead stage collapse victim named as Scott Johnson
A man killed when a stage collapsed ahead of a Radiohead concert in Toronto, Canada, has been named as 33-year-old Scott Johnson, a drum technician from South Yorkshire.
A relative confirmed the death of Mr Johnson, from Doncaster, who worked for other British bands, including Keane.
Police in Toronto said the stage was being set up on Saturday when the top part of it collapsed on top of him.
The Foreign Office confirmed that Mr Johnson's family had been notified.
Three other people were injured, one seriously, in the incident at Downsview Park, medical officials said.
The band, from Oxfordshire, south-east England, were not on stage at the time and the sell-out concert was cancelled. A message on the band's website said the gig had been cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances".
An investigation into the cause of the incident is under way.
'Big shock'
Fellow musicians have been paying tribute to the drum technician on Twitter.
Jack Lawrence Brown, drummer with White Lies, tweeted: "Devastated to learn that the man killed in the Radiohead stage collapse was drum tech Scott Johnson.
"Scott worked with White Lies on a show earlier in the year as my drum tech. A very talented man and a lovely guy all round. Glad to have known him. A big loss. RIP Scott."
Ian West, Mr Johnson's drum teacher in Doncaster, said his former pupil toured the world with famous bands, and described him as "a fantastic guy".
"It was a very, very big shock. He was a great student and a great drummer. He got a lucky break and made the most of it, he never looked back," he said.
"The list of bands he worked with was endless, his CV had every band worth their salt on it, a lot of British bands and world class bands."
The collapse happened an hour before the gates were due to open for the concert, with queues already beginning to form outside.
'Like a car accident'
Toronto police said the stage collapsed at 16:00 local time (20:00).
Those injured were all part of a team involved with setting up the stage, officials said.
Tony Bellavance, Fire Services Platoon Chief in Toronto, said officials were alerted to a person trapped under the rubble and crews assisted in extracting the victim.
He said: "It was a crushing injury that killed the man."
Toronto police later tweeted that once the structure was deemed safe to work around, forensic officers would begin a joint investigation with the coroner and the Ministry of Labour.
Alexandra Halbert, who was working in a beer tent at the show, said she was about 200-300 yards away from the stage, with her back to it, when she heard "something that sounded like fireworks".
"I turned around and the whole top part of the stage had collapsed, as well as the scaffolding," she told the BBC.
"It seemed like there were a couple of minutes of hesitation and no one knew quite what to do. It was only afterwards that we all realised how serious it was."
Jason Ip, a food vendor, said there was "chaos" as people waited for the emergency services to arrive.
"A few people started running towards the stage. No one knew exactly what had happened, but it was clear that people were underneath the stage," he said.
"It was like witnessing a car accident. In a situation like that, you just aren't sure how to react."
Some 40,000 people were expected for the sold-out gig, which was also due to feature Canadian musician Caribou.
Jack Osbourne diagnosed with MS, Ozzy and Sharon reveal
The Osbournes have revealed that son Jack has multiple sclerosis (MS).
The TV and music star family said Jack was diagnosed from tests taken when he lost 60% vision in his right eye earlier this year.
He told Hello! that after first feeling angry and upset he has now taken an attitude of "adapt and overcome".
MS is an incurable neurological condition that damages the nerves and affects the transfer of messages around the body.
Jack Osbourne, 26, said he had chosen to speak out in order to raise awareness of the condition. He added that the support of his fiancee Lisa Stelly was helping him to stay positive.
MS can have a wide range of symptoms, including tiredness, temporary blindness, loss of co-ordination and speech difficulties.
It is unpredictable and affects everyone differently. One in five sufferers has a benign form with mild attacks and no permanent disability, while another 15% have a progressive disease that steadily worsens.
Jack Osbourne was diagnosed with the condition three weeks after the birth of daughter Pearl, now two months old.
"The timing was so bad," he said. "I'd just had a baby, work was going great - I kept thinking: 'Why now?'"
Parents Ozzy and Sharon said they were still trying to come to terms with their son's condition.
Former X Factor judge Sharon said she had been asking herself if she was to blame.
"I kept thinking: 'What did I do wrong, what did I eat or drink when I was pregnant?' I feel like it's somehow my fault."
Former Black Sabbath star Ozzy said: "If it was me, you'd think: 'Ozzy had a reputation and it caught up with him', but Jack is such a good guy."
Jack Osbourne - known as an extreme sports enthusiast - will use a combination of daily drug treatments, holistic therapies and lifestyle changes.
The family were the subject of a worldwide hit reality TV show, The Osbournes, which originally aired on MTV between 2002 and 2005.
The programme, also featuring the Osbournes' daughter Kelly, won an Emmy award in 2002.
LeBron James leads way with 29 points, 14 boards as Heat go up 2-1
Halfway to a title, LeBron James shows no sign of letting this one get away.
James had 29 points and 14 rebounds, and the Miami Heat took a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals with a 91-85 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
Dwyane Wade had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Heat, who were in this same position through three games last year, then didn't win again against the Dallas Mavericks.
James' poor performance was part of the problem then, but he seems on top of his game this time. His 3-pointer sent the Heat to the fourth quarter with the lead, and he scored five straight Miami points when the Heat were building just enough cushion to hold off another late flurry by the Thunder.
Game 4 is Tuesday night.
Kevin Durant had 25 points for the Thunder, but picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and had to go to the bench when they had seemed to have control of the game. Russell Westbrook finished with 19 points.
The Heat survived their own fourth-quarter sloppiness by getting enough big plays from their Big Three.
James scored 30 and 32 points in the first two games, his two best finals performances. He fell just shy of another 30-point effort but reached his 20 points for the 20th time this postseason, two shy of Wade's franchise record set in 2006.
"It's all about chemistry," James said. "We understand where we like to get the ball, what we like to do in close situations, and it's good to see us execute down the stretch. But more importantly it was great to see we were able to get stops. That's where the game is won and we did that."
Chris Bosh had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat, who can win a second title by winning the next two games at home.
They seemed out of it when Oklahoma City opened a 10-point lead midway through the third. But Durant went out, Thunder coach Scott Brooks decided to sit Westbrook with him, and the Heat charged into the lead by the end of the period.
The Thunder had grabbed their last lead at 77-76 on James Harden's basket with 7:32 left. James answered with two free throws about 20 seconds later, and the teams would trade turnovers and stops over the next couple of tense minutes.
Wade then converted a three-point play, and another minute went by before James powered to the basket, Durant trying to get in position to draw a charge but watching helplessly as he picked up his fifth foul. James made the free throw for an 84-77 advantage with 3:47 to play.
After another basket by James, the Thunder had one last burst -- haven't they always in this series? -- ripping off six straight points to get within one before Bosh made a pair of free throws with 1:19 to play. Durant missed badly on a wild shot attempt, and the Thunder missed another chance when Westbrook was off from behind the arc.
James hit a free throw for a four-point lead with 16 seconds to go and Wade added two to close it out.
"It's very hard," James said. "Both teams are very active defensively and both teams make it hard on one another in the half court so when you get stops you try to get early offense, it always helps and we were able to do that a little bit."
The series made its way from Oklahoma City, where fans in blue shirts filled every seat, to Miami, where white shirts hung on empty chairs just minutes before the tip. The late arrivals in Oklahoma City had been the Thunder players, who fell into big early deficits and acknowledged some first-time finals jitters in Game 1. Brooks said he heard the cries to change his starting lineup but said it never crossed his mind.
The Thunder quickly fell behind 10-4 in this one after spotting the Heat a 13-point lead in Game 1 and getting clubbed into an 18-2 hole in the opening minutes of Game 2. They didn't let things get any worse this time, playing the Heat even from there and trailing 26-20 after one. James, Wade and Bosh combined for Miami's first 18 points.
James and Wade had some dazzling drives in the second and Shane Battier got free for a pair of 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes, but the Thunder stayed with them the entire way, briefly holding a three-point lead. Westbrook's 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left cut Miami's lead to 47-46.
Oklahoma City started to take control with a 14-2 run early in the third. Durant had the first four points, Westbrook fooled the Heat with a fake behind the back pass before in for a layup, then Durant leaped over James for a follow dunk before nailing a jumper for a 60-51 lead with 6:55 left in the period.
But it was barely a minute later when he drew his fourth foul, though he appeared to make little or no contract on Wade's baseline drive, and had to go to the bench. The Thunder pushed the lead to 10 on Derek Fisher's four-point play, but the Heat got right back in it when Battier and then James Jones made all six free throws after being fouled behind the arc.
Brooks also pulled Westbrook with 5 minutes left and left him out the remainder of the period, leaving the Thunder without their two best players as they tried to hang onto the lead.
They couldn't.
The Heat scored the final seven of the period, Wade making a turnaround jumper and two free throws before setting up James for a 3-pointer that made it 69-67 headed to the final quarter.
ESPN
Windies sweating on Bravo, Russell for 2nd ODI
West Indies are sweating on the fitness of batsman Darren Bravo and all-rounder Andre Russell but have been boosted by the news that talismanic opener Chris Gayle will be available for tomorrow’s second One-Day International against England. The left-handed Gayle missed Saturday’s 114-run loss in the opening ODI at Southampton with a stress reaction in a bone in his left leg.
His presence was missed in the batting line-up as the Windies slid to 172 all out in response to England’s 288 for six. The left-handed Bravo injured his groin during the game and was forced to bat at number nine, finishing with eight not out in an uncomfortable 21 minutes at the crease. He joins Russell who is also struggling with a shoulder injury. Both players will have scans today to determine their match fitness.
Wayne Rooney very confident about England chances
Wayne Rooney believes England have the players to go all the way at Euro 2012.
Rooney, 26, returns from a two-match ban to face co-hosts Ukraine in Donetsk on Tuesday with England needing a point to reach the last eight.
A confident Rooney said: "If we keep working hard there is no reason why we can't go really far in the tournament.
"I think we're good enough. I know everyone doesn't want us to build expectations up but I firmly believe we have got the players."
The Manchester United striker is undaunted by the potential prospect of a quarter-final meeting against World and European champions Spain (should England finish Group D runners up and Spain top Group C).
"Before the tournament started I said a country like ours needs to be in there with a shout of winning major tournaments.
"Obviously you need a bit of luck as well, but we've got a good opportunity. We've got the squad and are more organised than we have been as long as I've been in the squad.
"We are hard to beat now. If we keep doing that and keep working hard then there's no reason we can't go really far and be in with a shout of winning it.
"If you want to win tournaments you have to play the best teams and how much of a boost would it be for us if we were to play Spain and beat them? How much confidence would that give us?" he said.
Rooney also revealed he uses a visualisation technique before games in an attempt to be in the right frame of mind to have an impact for England - and at club level with United.
He said: "I've done it all of my career, since I got in the Everton team. I've always asked the kit men what colour kit we're wearing and what colour the opponents are wearing then visualised scoring goals or good things happening in the game.
"I always do it before every game to get good thoughts and good moments happening in my head to help me. I do it the night before a game when I'm in bed."
Rooney admitted it has been frustrating watching from the sidelines during England's opening two group matches.
"What happened was a mistake and I've paid the price. I'm happy and ready to play. I've been looking forward to it and now I'm available to play I'm excited."
Rooney was initially banned for the entire group stage following his straight red card for violent conduct against Montenegro in October.
The suspension was reduced to two games on appeal, and he admitted that at one stage he feared for his Euro 2012 involvement.
"When it was a three-game ban I thought I probably wouldn't be here. I'm happy that I am here."
Rooney is set to return to the starting line-up and is likely to be made vice-captain by manager Roy Hodgson.
"We haven't designated one yet but he is very much a candidate," said Hodgson. "Quite frankly, with him not being available we haven't really felt the necessity before now to decide on that.
"But we are very much considering him for that position, yes."
England need a point from their final Group D game against Ukraine in Donetsk on Tuesday to reach the knock-out stage. The co-hosts, meanwhile, require a win to reach the quarter-finals.
David Nalbandian disqualified from Queen's final after kick
David Nalbandian was disqualified from the Aegon Championships final after injuring a line judge by kicking an advertising board into his shin.
The Argentine, 30, was leading Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-3) 3-4 when he smashed a panel in front of Andrew McDougall's seat, causing his leg to bleed heavily.
Chair umpire Fergus Murphy awarded Cilic the match, while ATP supervisor Tom Barnes confirmed the decision.
"I am very sorry, sometimes you get frustrated on court," said Nalbandian.
With the officials discussing what course of action to take, sections of the 6,000-capacity crowd booed and chanted "play on".
But the match was abandoned and Nalbandian was left to explain his behaviour to Sue Barker on BBC One.
"Sometimes I make a mistake I agree with," he added. "It's a tough moment to end a final like that but sometimes we feel so much pressure from the ATP playing so many tournaments.
"Today I've made a mistake. Sometimes I agree and I do but everyone makes mistakes. I don't feel it had to end like that - especially in a final.
"There are a lot of rules and sometimes they don't do anything. The rule book is very big and I can tell you the ATP do a lot to the players and nothing happens."
After edging the first set on a tie-break, Nalbandian's serve was broken in the opening game of the second.
He managed to level at 3-3 but immediately handed the advantage back by putting a forehand wide on the stretch.
The world number 39 continued his run before angrily booting the board, which broke apart and badly gashed McDougall's left leg.
He received immediate treatment from St John's Ambulance and saw the tournament medical team, but no further treatment was required.
"It is unsportsmanlike conduct, and the supervisor has the authority to declare an immediate default," said Barnes. "Once I saw that the line judge was injured, I didn't have any other option."
Tournament official Chris Kermode later said: "It is obviously not the way that we wanted to finish the final and I can understand the crowd's frustration.
"But the tournament is governed by ATP rules and this was a clear-cut case.
"The line judge was seen and treated by St John's Ambulance. He also saw the doctor, and no further treatment was required."
Rule 8.04 of the ATP rule book states a player guilty of aggravated behaviour can expect to be fined "up to $25,000 or the amount of prize money won at the tournament, whichever is greater".
Given that the runners-up prize money at Queen's is 44,945 euros (£36,114), Nalbandian stands to lose more, as well facing a fine of up to $10,000 (£6,365) and forfeiting the ranking points he earned.
He was appearing in his first grass court final since Wimbledon in 2002.
Cilic becomes the first Croatian to win a title on grass since Goran Ivanisevic triumphed at the All England Club in 2001.
"It was very bitter." said the sixth seed. "It's definitely not the way I wanted to win. To end like this is not easy.
"The match was getting hot and it's tough to see the final finish like this. I can't change it, but I'm really sorry for the fans that it finished like this."
In the doubles, top seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor of Canada comfortably beat the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, 6-3 6-4.
Obama, world want bold signs from Europe at G-20
With global anxiety rising, President Barack Obama is searching for bolder, swifter signals from Europe that it will contain its financial mess and keep it from torpedoing the US economy and his re-election chances along with it. Yet as he prepares for summit talks beginning today in Mexico with the other world leaders, Obama is down to the power of persuasion and little else.
Given the teetering global economy and the breadth of leaders about to gather in the coastal resort of Los Cabos, the Group of 20 summit meeting carries the weight of expectations it is not likely to meet. Most of its members are not part of Europe and they have no power to drive how the continent manages its crisis, although they do come looking for signs of progress and urgency.
That clearly is the case for Obama, locked in a tight election that may be decided singlehandedly by whether US job growth sinks or climbs over the next five months. While economic challenge will dominate the summit, the agenda runs deeper. In talks on the sidelines, Obama will confront the bloodshed in Syria and the nuclear threat in Iran.
AP