michael jackson

Mar 1 2012

Ex-doctor deemed flight risk

A judge turned down the defense’s request to release Michael Jackson’s personal physician from jail while he appeals his involuntary manslaughter conviction stemming from the singer’s death from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol in June 2009.

Dr. Conrad Murray was not required to be in court for the hearing on Friday before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, who sentenced him on Nov. 29 to four years in county jail.

Terri Schichenmeyer  |   OW Contributor
Feb 16 2012

By Joseph Vogel, foreword by Anthony DeCurtis

There was no way you were sitting down.

As soon as you heard those four notes—just four beats—your feet were itching to move. You were up and on the dance floor quick, not caring that you didn’t have a partner. With songs like that, you’d dance alone, but not for long: other people’s feet were itching, too, and you knew you wouldn’t be by yourself but for a minute.

Feb 2 2012

He leaves a long list of thankful musical artists

Don Cortez Cornelius, the always immaculately dressed impresario of television’s long-running dance show, “Soul Train,” didn’t just happen to mirror and influence African American culture. He both lived and led it as he followed through on a dance-party concept he had birthed years before.

Dec 29 2011

Gets maximum sentence

Despite calls for leniency from a group of South Los Angeles clergy and activists, Michael Jackson’s personal physician was sentenced to four years behind bars for the singer’s June 2009 death from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol. During sentencing, the judge blasted the doctor for engaging in a “money-for-medicine” experiment that killed the entertainer.

Conrad Murray, 58, was convicted Nov. 7 of involuntary manslaughter.

Dec 15 2011

Hit in the face and torso by ‘random’ shots

Funeral services are pending for 40-year-old Los Angeles native John Atterberry, a music industry executive and entrepreneur who was shot by a crazed gunman randomly firing at motorists in Hollywood Friday.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
California
Yvette Hollingsworth was recently named chief compliance officer for Wells Fargo & Co. Hollingsworth, who most recently served as managing director and global head of operations compliance and financial crimes compliance & risk management for Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank, will begin her new role on June 1, 2012. Hollingsworth will be based in San Francisco, and will report to Caryl Athanasiu, executive vice president and chief operational risk officer in the corporate risk group. As chief compliance officer, Hollingsworth will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the company meet compliance management responsibilities and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. Her team will continue to provide independent oversight of business-based compliance management activities.
District of Columbia
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Los Angeles attorney Paul Watford to serve on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: “It is great news that the Senate has confirmed Paul Watford, an exceptionally talented attorney, to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has a breadth of experience as a former prosecutor and a top appellate litigator and will make an excellent addition to the federal bench. However, I am very disappointed that more of my Republican colleagues did not join us in backing this highly qualified nominee.” When Watford is sworn in, he will be only the second African American serving on the Ninth Circuit.