The body of Kendrick Johnson, who died in January and whose death was ruled “accidental” has been exhumed for a second autopsy to be conducted by a forensic pathologist. (Google Images)
WTXL-TV in Tallahassee is reporting that the body of Kendrick Johnson, the 17-year-old high school student whose body was found rolled up in a gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, GA January 11, 2013 has been exhumed for a second autopsy.
Johnson’s death was ruled “accidental” by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) after the initial autopsy. Johnson’s parents believe foul play was involved due to precarious circumstances surrounding Johnson’s death including the distorted body of the teen.
The case garnered national attention and support from the NAACP, Reverend Al Sharpton and a host of others who believe Johnson was murdered. The family attorney says a forensic pathologist will review the GBI’s findings and conduct a second autopsy. Results of the autopsy should be available in two weeks.
The body of Kendrick Johnson, who died in January and whose death was ruled “accidental” has been exhumed for a second autopsy to be conducted by a forensic pathologist. (Google Images)
WTXL-TV in Tallahassee is reporting that the body of Kendrick Johnson, the 17-year-old high school student whose body was found rolled up in a gym mat at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, GA January 11, 2013 has been exhumed for a second autopsy.
Johnson’s death was ruled “accidental” by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) after the initial autopsy. Johnson’s parents believe foul play was involved due to precarious circumstances surrounding Johnson’s death including the distorted body of the teen.
The case garnered national attention and support from the NAACP, Reverend Al Sharpton and a host of others who believe Johnson was murdered. The family attorney says a forensic pathologist will review the GBI’s findings and conduct a second autopsy. Results of the autopsy should be available in two weeks.
They each represent people who can’t afford legal representation while also juggling long hours, staggering student loan debt and overwhelming workloads. “It’s important to show those kinds of successes. They’re really good role models for us. They’re excellent examples for participating in the criminal justice system” says Porter.
The former Director of News Standards and Practices for ABC News and Vice President of Standards and Practices for A&E Networks spent three years in production.
Porter faced the dilemma of whether reports often framed from prosecutors’ perspectives could influence the general public’s understanding of the justice system. “You start to see really quickly what makes a compelling story. It’s a different kind of engagement when you care about a character or a person,” says Porter.
In and out of court, each public defender is empathetic and compassionate regardless of the client. “You need to be able to relate to people. It’s a great place. We do great work, but it makes for burnout,” says featured attorney Brandy Alexander.
Adds Porter, “Not everybody’s trying to have a BMW. It’s extremely important to have people of color highlight the racism and injustice they face. We celebrate people who’ve ‘made it.’ It’s important to have somebody be them and look like them trying to understand their story.”
Keeping the attorneys focused is Jonathan “Rap” Rapping and his nonprofit organization, Gideon’s Promise. He provides public defenders with support and fosters their professional development.
“They work in environments that have come to accept incredibly low standards of justice for poor people. They face pressures to give into the status quo. They can change systems. It’s about time that public defenders are shown as heroes,” says Rapping.
Porter initially encountered skepticism and resistance from both courts and attorneys. The Georgetown University Law Center alumnae, once oblivious to public defenders’ plights, was deemed a great listener unanimously by the film’s subjects.
“I had their trust. They’re trying to do their best to do something hard. You almost forget it’s about public defenders. You get involved in their struggle. I didn’t want to let them down,” says Porter.
Rapping concurs. “[Dawn’s] a true believer. She has a great way of blending in. You don’t even realize the cameras are there. Her style captures an open, honest story,” says Rapping
Gideon’s Army captures another untold legacy of members of historically disenfranchised groups whose efforts transform cultures and communities. “These public defenders are today’s Civil Rights Movement. They’re on the front line to really make justice a reality for the poor and people of color. If we’re going to get out of that, it will be because of these public defenders,” he says.
Alexander agrees. “Public defenders are public servants like firefighters and teachers. People think we’re bad people who represent bad people. I hope it causes a ripple in the justice system,” says Alexander.
Gideon’s Army premieres tonight at 9 p.m. EST on HBO.
Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
They each represent people who can’t afford legal representation while also juggling long hours, staggering student loan debt and overwhelming workloads. “It’s important to show those kinds of successes. They’re really good role models for us. They’re excellent examples for participating in the criminal justice system” says Porter.
The former Director of News Standards and Practices for ABC News and Vice President of Standards and Practices for A&E Networks spent three years in production.
Porter faced the dilemma of whether reports often framed from prosecutors’ perspectives could influence the general public’s understanding of the justice system. “You start to see really quickly what makes a compelling story. It’s a different kind of engagement when you care about a character or a person,” says Porter.
In and out of court, each public defender is empathetic and compassionate regardless of the client. “You need to be able to relate to people. It’s a great place. We do great work, but it makes for burnout,” says featured attorney Brandy Alexander.
Adds Porter, “Not everybody’s trying to have a BMW. It’s extremely important to have people of color highlight the racism and injustice they face. We celebrate people who’ve ‘made it.’ It’s important to have somebody be them and look like them trying to understand their story.”
Keeping the attorneys focused is Jonathan “Rap” Rapping and his nonprofit organization, Gideon’s Promise. He provides public defenders with support and fosters their professional development.
“They work in environments that have come to accept incredibly low standards of justice for poor people. They face pressures to give into the status quo. They can change systems. It’s about time that public defenders are shown as heroes,” says Rapping.
Porter initially encountered skepticism and resistance from both courts and attorneys. The Georgetown University Law Center alumnae, once oblivious to public defenders’ plights, was deemed a great listener unanimously by the film’s subjects.
“I had their trust. They’re trying to do their best to do something hard. You almost forget it’s about public defenders. You get involved in their struggle. I didn’t want to let them down,” says Porter.
Rapping concurs. “[Dawn’s] a true believer. She has a great way of blending in. You don’t even realize the cameras are there. Her style captures an open, honest story,” says Rapping
Gideon’s Army captures another untold legacy of members of historically disenfranchised groups whose efforts transform cultures and communities. “These public defenders are today’s Civil Rights Movement. They’re on the front line to really make justice a reality for the poor and people of color. If we’re going to get out of that, it will be because of these public defenders,” he says.
Alexander agrees. “Public defenders are public servants like firefighters and teachers. People think we’re bad people who represent bad people. I hope it causes a ripple in the justice system,” says Alexander.
Gideon’s Army premieres tonight at 9 p.m. EST on HBO.
Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
“Jim Kelly, a martial artist famous for his role in the 1973 Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon, died on Saturday of cancer, his ex-wife Marilyn Dishman told the Associated Press… Kelly starred in numerous martial arts films in the 1970’s, including Black Belt Jones, Three the Hard Way and Black Samurai. He later left acting and became a professional tennis player. He appeared in a commercial with NBA star LeBron James in 2004.”
The article quotes a 2010 L.A. Times interview with the iconic actor:
“I never left the movie business,” Kelly told the LA Times in 2010. “It’s just that after a certain point, I didn’t get the type of projects that I wanted to do. I still get at least three scripts per year, but most of them don’t put forth a positive image. There’s nothing I really want to do, so I don’t do it. If it happens, it happens, but if not, I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished.”
Jim Kelly, the first cousin of baseball great Willie Mays, was 67.
“Jim Kelly, a martial artist famous for his role in the 1973 Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon, died on Saturday of cancer, his ex-wife Marilyn Dishman told the Associated Press… Kelly starred in numerous martial arts films in the 1970’s, including Black Belt Jones, Three the Hard Way and Black Samurai. He later left acting and became a professional tennis player. He appeared in a commercial with NBA star LeBron James in 2004.”
The article quotes a 2010 L.A. Times interview with the iconic actor:
“I never left the movie business,” Kelly told the LA Times in 2010. “It’s just that after a certain point, I didn’t get the type of projects that I wanted to do. I still get at least three scripts per year, but most of them don’t put forth a positive image. There’s nothing I really want to do, so I don’t do it. If it happens, it happens, but if not, I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished.”
Jim Kelly, the first cousin of baseball great Willie Mays, was 67.
Brazil defeated Spain in the 2013 Confederations Cup, 3 to 1. (Google Images)
The verdict is in – Brazil defeated Spain in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. “The best in the world” eliminated “the best in history” at the legendary Maracanã, with a final score of 3-0. The happening did not live up to the hype with Brazil disposing of Spain’s storied club quite easily. Tales Azzoni of Yahoo Sports writes:
“Fred scored two goals, Neymar added another and host Brazil defeated world champion Spain 3-0 to win the Confederations Cup on Sunday night as protesters clashed with riot police outside Maracana Stadium.
Brazil, a five-time world champion, beat the reigning world and European champion and ended Spain’s 29-game, three-year winning streak in competitive matches.
Fred put Brazil ahead in the second minute, Neymar doubled the lead in the 44th with his fourth goal of the tournament and Fred added his fifth in the 47th.
Brazil, which won its third straight Confederations Cup, has not lost a competitive home match since 1975.”
Can Brazil’s Neymar lead help beat world champion Spain in the 2013 Confederation Cup final? (Google Images)
ESPNFC.com is reporting that Brazil and Spain will face-off in the Confederations Cup final on Sunday, June 30, 2013. For those who don’t follow soccer, this match-up is a big deal and it is unfolding in the Maracanã, which is undeniably one of the most legendary football (soccer) stadiums in the world. You have Spain, the world champions competing against Brazil, a nation obsessed with football (soccer) and champions themselves. The New York Timesheadline about this match screams, “Brazil vs. Spain: Best in World Meets Best in History.”
“The long absence of a Spain-Brazil rendezvous has made footballing hearts grow fonder. Not only do Brazil and Spain seldom meet — eight times in total, with four Selecao victories and two draws — but the last time was in 1999 when the sporting world couldn’t have been more different.”
European soccer giant Spain beat Italy in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup while Brazil defeated Uruguay 2-1 to ascend to the final match. Italy fought hard without injured star Mario Balotelli and playing in memory of former national team player Stefano Borgonovo who died Thursday from motor neuron disease at the age of 49. Italy came close but was unable to break the Spain’s world record run of 29 undefeated competitive matches. Brazil who disposed of Uruguay convincingly, will have an extra day of rest and a shorter distance to travel in preparation for the final.
Brazil has faced its difficulties too, a young team, still looking for a leader like Ronaldo to take them to the promised land. They may have found what they needed with a combination of Neymar and Paulhino, who rose to the occasion in the match against Uruguay with Paulinho’s goal coming late in the match but sending Brazil to the final. Neymar’s star power is definitely there as evidenced by Hip-Hop mogul turned sports agent Jay-Z’s desire to sign the footballer. Pundits are questioning Brazil’s Zenit forward Hulk’s ability to be a factor in this final, with shoddy play thus far in the tournament.
All eyes will be on this storybook football (soccer) match-up against the backdrop of bus protests that are still in full effect in Brazil. Who do you think will win the final? Let us know in the comments section below. Until then, lets play ball!
Tune in to the following networks to watch the Confederation Cup final which will air Sunday at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN (U.S – English), Univision (U.S. – Spanish), BBC Three (U.K.), Sportsnet World (Canada – English), TLN (Canada – Spanish), Globo (Brazil) and DirecTV Sports. Watch online at ESPN.com.
Ugochi’s song ‘Don’t Mind Them’ reminds us to remember who we are and where we want to go despite the actions of those who are against us. (Google Images)
As luck would have it, a TBW reader (Will K. Crosby) posted a video on FaceBook which I thought I’d share with you — Ugochi Nwaogwugwu’s ‘Don’t Mind Them.’ Instead of posting more of the same – traumatic events impacting people of African descent worldwide, I decided to post something to uplift the black world community, which has been pummeled especially hard this week in the news.
Nwaogwugwu’s ‘Don’t Mind Them,’ reminds us to keep life in perspective and those who cause harm to others will surely reap what they sow. In the meantime, don’t mind them and carry on with life, being the person that you want to be and creating the world in which you want to live. Chin up Black people. It will get better. Happy Friday!
Ugochi’s song ‘Don’t Mind Them’ reminds us to remember who we are and where we want to go despite the actions of those who are against us. (Google Images)
As luck would have it, a TBW reader (Will K. Crosby) posted a video on FaceBook which I thought I’d share with you — Ugochi Nwaogwugwu’s ‘Don’t Mind Them.’ Instead of posting more of the same – traumatic events impacting people of African descent worldwide, I decided to post something to uplift the black world community, which has been pummeled especially hard this week in the news.
Nwaogwugwu’s ‘Don’t Mind Them,’ reminds us to keep life in perspective and those who cause harm to others will surely reap what they sow. In the meantime, don’t mind them and carry on with life, being the person that you want to be and creating the world in which you want to live. Chin up Black people. It will get better. Happy Friday!
