PLAXICO BURRESS ARRAIGNED ON GUN CHARGES: Bail set at $100,000;l Antonio Pierce under investigation; Mayor Bloomberg furious at hospital
*Plaxico Burress was arraigned Monday on two separate counts of criminal possession of a handgun in the second degree after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh three days ago at a Midtown nightclub.
The New York Giants star faces a mandatory sentence of 3 ½ years in state prison, with a maximum of 15 years, on each count, according to reports.
Burress left a New York police station in handcuffs Monday after surrendering on the weapons possession charge, and police said that his teammate Antonio Pierce is being investigated over accusations that he tried to hide the gun that Burress shot himself with Friday evening.
The firearm in question, a Glock semiautomatic pistol, was recovered at Burress’s home in Totowa, N.J., an official said.
According to the New York Times, Burress remained seated on a bench at the back of the Manhattan courtroom while waiting to post the $100,000 bail, cash or bond, set by Criminal Court Judge Felicia Mennin.
The judge denied a request by Burress’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, to allow Burress to be released for 48 hours to post that bail. She then ordered Burress to return March 31.
Burress spent about five hours at the New York City Police Department’s 17th Precinct station house, likely posing for mug shots, being fingerprinted and sitting for interviews with detectives.
Meanwhile, the Times uncovered more details about the incident:
The police said that Burress arrived at the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan on Friday at 11:30 p.m. with four others, including teammates linebacker Antonio Pierce and Derrick Ward. The other two members of their party were not football players, according to police. At 12:05 a.m., a single gunshot is heard.
The criminal complaint, released by prosecutors Monday, said that an onlooker saw Burress near the V.I.P. area of the club holding a drink in his left hand and fidgeting his right hand in the area of the waistline of his pants. The witness then heard a single “pop” sound before hearing Burress say, “Take me to the hospital.”
Burress was on the ground, with his legs shaking, when a bloody gun — a .40-caliber Glock pistol — fell out of his pant leg and onto the floor, the onlooker said.
Later, Burress, who does not have a permit to carry a handgun in New York City, was treated and released at a hospital before returning to his home in Totowa, N.J.
On Monday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg blasted Burress for carrying an illegal handgun; New York Presbyterian Hospital for failing to call the police of his gun-related injury, as state law requires; and the New York Giants, which also neglected to notify the authorities.
Bloomberg said that the police did not find out about the incident until it was reported on TV. He demanded that the district attorney throw the book at the Giants receiver and that he serve hard time. He also suggested firing staffers at the elite hospital, where sources told The New York Post that employees lied for Burress.
Speaking to reporters after Burress' arrival at the precinct, Brafman said his client would “deal with the legal process in a responsible and professional manner.”
“He is standing tall,” said Brafman, who has represented high-profile clients, including rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs in his 2001 bribery and weapons case. “He’s a mature adult handling this very well, I think, under the circumstances. He has asked me to tell all the fans who’ve written and called, and his teammates, that he very much appreciates their expressions of concern.”
BALFOUR CHARGED IN HUDSON FAMILY KILLINGS: Suspect arrested Monday afternoon on murder charges.
*William Balfour, the lone "person of interest" in the killings of Jennifer Hudson's family members, was arrested on Monday as a suspect in the case, according to reports.
As of press time, police were preparing to transport the 27-year-old from Stateville Correctional Center, where he was being held for parole violations, to the Wentworth Area detective headquarters in Chicago.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Balfour was arrested at 2:45 p.m.Monday for the Oct. 24 murders of the Oscar-winning actress' mother Darnell Donerson; her brother, Jason Hudson; and her sister Julia Hudson's son, Julian, who was abducted from the home.
A source told the newspaper that the case against Balfour is largely circumstantial.
KILPATRICK'S EX-AIDE/LOVER PLEADS GUILTY: Christine Beatty gets jail time for lying about sex with ex-Detroit mayor.
*Christine Beatty, the ex-aide to former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, will spend four months in jail after pleading guilty Monday to two obstruction of justice charges stemming from their infamous text-messaging sex scandal.
"I lied under oath," a tearful Beatty told the judge, echoing the words her former boss, Kilpatrick, uttered in a courtroom during his own guilty plea three months earlier. Both admitted lying when they claimed they were not romantically involved. They were both married at the time.
Under the deal with prosecutors, Beatty, 38, will be sentenced next month to serve four months in jail and five years of probation. She will also pay $100,000 in restitution to the city, reports the Associated Press.
The plea deal also called for Beatty to read aloud a statement saying she lied in the whistle-blowers' trial, in a deposition and at a 2007 hearing.
Beatty, who had been charged with perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice, was initially unable to choke back tears, so Wayne County Circuit Judge Timothy Kenny gave her a moment to compose herself.
"I lied under oath ... ," Beatty said. "I did so with the intent to mislead the court and jury and to impede and obstruct the fair administration of justice."
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said she was happy with the outcome. "We live in a society where greed is glorified," she said. "There comes a time when you have to draw a line in the sand and say, 'No more.'"
Kilpatrick is serving a four-month jail sentence as part of his plea, which also called for him to spend five years on probation, pay $1 million in restitution, surrender his law license and resign as mayor.
OBAMA TO APPEAR ON 'MEET THE PRESS': President-elect will face Tom Brokaw on Sunday for first time since July.
*Fresh from Monday's announcement of his foreign policy team, President-elect Barack Obama has agreed to appear on "Meet the Press" this Sunday for an interview with interim host Tom Brokaw, according to reports.
Obama last appeared on "Meet the Press" in July, following the overseas tour he took that month.
A likely discussion topic will be Obama's announcement Monday of his war Cabinet, headed by former Democratic primary foe Hillary Clinton, nominated for Secretary of State; and current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, to remain in the post.
At the Chicago news conference, Obama also tapped top advisers Eric Holder as attorney general and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations. He named Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano to be homeland security secretary and retired Marine Gen. James Jones as White House national security adviser.
Sunday's "Meet the Press" visit follows Obama's appearance on CBS' "60 Minutes," where he gave his first interview following his election on Nov. 4.
VIOLATOR MGMT DOES NOT HANDLE ASHLEY DUPRE: Chris Lighty releases statement denying recent media reports.
*Veteran manager Chris Lighty is denying reports that his company, Violator Management, has taken on Ashley Dupre as a client.
"Despite media reports, Chris Lighty and Violator Management do not represent Ashley Dupre," read a statement from his reps sent to EUR Monday.
"Lighty helped negotiate an interview for Dupre with Diane Sawyer, and has no further involvement in Dupre’s career."
Dupre was exposed as the call girl who had former New York governor Eliot Spitzer as a client.
DEBBIE ALLEN BACK IN 'FAME': But choreographer won't reprise original role of dance teacher Lydia Grant.
*MGM's forthcoming update of the 1980 musical drama "Fame" has added a powerhouse group of actors with musical theater backgrounds to portray administrative and teaching roles at NYC's prestigious High School of Performing Arts.
Among the new cast members are Charles S. Dutton, a Yale School of Drama grad who will play an acting teacher; and Debbie Allen, who starred as dance teacher Lydia Grant in the original film and won a Golden Globe for the same role in the spinoff television series. In the remake, Allen will play Principal Simms.
Megan Mullally, Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuwirth round out the new additions. Mullally, who will play a voice instructor, graduated from the School of American Ballet; Grammer, who will play an orchestra conductor, attended Juilliard; and Neuwirth, who will play a dance teacher, has won two Tonys.
Choreographer Kevin Tancharoen will direct the new film, while the updated screenplay was written by Allison Burnett and Aline Brosh McKenna.
The MGM/Lakeshore Entertainment production is scheduled for release Sept. 25.
OPRAH WINFREY TO HELP HONOR SUSAN TAYLOR: TV mogul part of salute to editor's 37 years with Essence; Diddy, McMillan, McClurkin also on bill.
*Oprah Winfrey is among a number of celebrities due in New York tonight for a benefit honoring Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, Terry McMillan and Ruby Dee will also attend the gala, which celebrates Taylor's 37 years with the magazine targeted to African-American women.
Tonight will also serve as a fundraiser for the National CARES Mentoring Movement, which is dedicated to pairing vulnerable African-American children with a caring mentor. The organization, founded by Taylor as Essence CARES, currently operates in more than 50 U.S. states.
Gospel stars Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin are scheduled to perform. Other notable attendees will include Michael Eric Dyson, Common and the Rev. Al Sharpton.
PLOT FOR 'BEVERLY HILLS COP 4' REVEALED: Axel Foley returns to solve murder of his former partner.
*Latino Review has uncovered what it claims is the storyline for director Brett Ratner's "Beverly Hills Cop 4," due in theaters 2010 with Eddie Murphy's presence still unknown.
The plot from "Wanted" scribes Michael Brandt and Derek Haas unfolds after Foley's former partner Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) jumps off the 20th story of Los Angeles Police headquarters. Foley, who refuses to believe it was a suicide, returns to LA to find who pushed him.
Foley has a new partner named Goodwin, a fat rookie with low self-esteem who has a crush on a lady cop, the Web site reports. There's also a wise-cracking limo driver named Elliott who adds comic relief, and a scheme that involves corrupt LAPD cops and a rich kid with military links who are into arms dealing, according to the Web site.
Click here for the full review: http://latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-beverly-hills-cop-iv-story-details-5787.
JAN. ESSENCE FEATURES OBAMAS IN DUAL COVER: President-elect, Michelle featured in separate photos for January issue.
*Two different covers are being offered for the January issue of Essence magazine – one with President-elect Barack Obama, and one with his wife, Michelle.
Billed as a collector's edition, the 56-page tribute to the nation's first black president comes with an all-star lineup of contributors – from Bill Cosby to Maya Angelou – on what the election means for America.
"Obama’s win makes all of us stand taller and feel even more proud,"
said Alicia Keys in the issue, on newsstands Dec. 12. "The voice of our generation will not be ignored.” — Alicia Keys, Singer and Actress
The following are featured articles in the January 2009 issue:
• The Woman Beside Him: On January 20th Michelle LaVaughn Robinson-Obama will become our nation’s first lady. Author Paula J. Giddings reflects on the great woman behind the President-elect. (page 76) • The Malia and Sasha Effect: Malia 10, and Sasha 7, will be the youngest residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave since Amy Carter. Journalist Gwen Ifill reflects on the Obama girls and their bright future ahead. (page 81) • Dear Mr. President…: Essence asked the young men of the Excellence Charter School of Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, to write—in their own words—letters to the new President-elect. What they wrote was nothing short of inspiring. (page 117) • The Times of His Life: Essence has featured an extensive timeline which features President-elect Barack Obama from a young child to the present.
Included in this special section are photos of his wedding, his family, his run for Illinois State Senate, his presidential win and more. (page72) • The Perfect Storm: From the venerable Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson reflects on the journey that became history—and how the race was won. (page 86) • The Last Hurdle: Hannah Jane Hurdle-Toomey: Hannah Jane Hurdle-Tommey is the last surviving child of Andrew Jackson Hurdle, a slave for nearly 20 years. Connected to both slavery and a black president in her lifetime, she shares her hopes for America. (page 114) • Brother President: On Election Night 2008, it became clear that Barack Obama had become a new icon for a generation of Black men who grew up with martyred leaders as their role models. Writer William Jelani Cobb reflects on what it means to America—and to the world—to see a Black man as president. (page 71)
LUDACRIS, SOULJA BOY TEAM FOR FREE SHOW: 'Unofficial SEC Championship Afterparty' to take place Saturday in the ATL.
*Ludacris and Soulja Boy Tell'em will perform in Atlanta Saturday (Dec. 6) at the "Unofficial' SEC Championship Afterparty" following the 2008 SEC Football Championship.
Doors open at 8 p.m. ET at the Tabernacle (152 Luckie St. NW), following red carpet appearances by the artists.
Fans can text ATTLUDA to 66937* for the chance to win a mobile ticket good for two people. Mobile tickets will be sent to the winners by Dec. 3. The first 1,000 fans in line on Saturday with a mobile ticket will be admitted.
"I'm excited to be helping AT&T recognize and celebrate the SEC Championship, which is such a time-honored tradition," said Ludacris.
Soulja Boy Tell'em added: "I receive an amazing amount of love from the South when it comes to supporting my projects -- especially in college football games where I see some of the players and fans doing my dances when they score. We even tried to capture some of that excitement in the video for my new single, 'Bird Walk.' Performing a free show at an SEC Championship game afterparty is the least I can do to give some of that support and love back."
Following the concert, AT&T will also have exclusive concert footage available for viewing through Cellular Video (CV). Fans who text ATTLUDA to 66937 will receive an alert when the footage is available for viewing.
JAY-Z, JOHN LEGEND PART OF NEW (RED)WIRE SERVICE: Pair gives video footage to new digital mag designed to fight AIDS in Africa.
*John Legend and Jay-Z were among artists whose have contributed exclusive footage of their live performances to (RED)WIRE, (RED)'s new digital music magazine that aims to fight AIDS in Africa. (www.redwire.com)
Additional performance clips from U2, Coldplay, Dixie Chicks, The Killers & Elton John, The Police & Elvis Costello, Death Cab for Cutie and Sheryl Crow were also featured for the Web site's Dec. 1 launch as part of World AIDS Day.
The Web site allows visitors to sign up and become official members. Every Wednesday, (RED)WIRE members receive an issue delivered to their desktop featuring exclusive music from the world's greatest artists. Half of the monthly fee goes directly to the Global Fund (www.theglobalfund.org) to fight AIDS in Africa.
Members who join before Wednesday, Dec. 10 will become "Founding Members" of (RED)WIRE and receive the premier issue on Dec. 10 as well as a special bonus song from Jay-Z.
PHILANTHROPY HONORS FOR DUPRI, MAGIC: ACLU to salute pair with 2008 Bill of Rights Awards.
*Jermaine Dupri and Earvin "Magic" Johnson will be in Beverly Hills Monday (Dec. 8) to accept the 2008 Bill of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California.
The ceremony, to take place at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, honors the music producer and legendary NBA player for their long history of philanthropic work, and their shared views on community uplift and development.
Dupri has been a long time member of the board of directors of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN). He’s also worked to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws, designed a signature pair of Cartier sunglasses to benefit the Hurricane Relief Fund and has been a significant voice for the “Rap the Vote” campaign.
Entertainers recognized by the ACLU of Southern California within the past 50 years include Barbara Streisand, Dustin Hoffman, Martin Scorsese, Rosa Parks, Antonio “LA” Reid, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Harry Belafonte, Ellen Degeneres, Oliver Stone and Sarah Jessica Parker.
VANESSA WILLIAMS LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER: 'Ugly Betty' villainess in NY suburb to kick off effort to fight breast cancer.
*Vanessa Williams appeared in Mount Kisco, New York Sunday to officially launch a breast cancer fundraiser that will last through mid-Spring.
The "Ugly Betty" star drove a pink fence post into the ground to mark the start of the Post for a Cure campaign for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life effort, reports the Associated Press.
As part of the campaign, a Mahopac fencing company will donate $1 for every post put in the ground through April 18.
Campanella Fence Center owner Anthony Campanella says his friends and relatives have been affected by breast cancer this year. He says posts are symbols of stability and strength and fences are symbols of security and safety.
BROADWAY TO REVIVE WILSON'S 'JOE TURNER': Play scheduled to return in the spring.
*The August Wilson play Joe Turner's Come and Gone will return to Broadway on April 16, with casting and a theater home to be announced, reports the Associated Press.
Bartlett Sher will direct the Lincoln Center Theater's revival, which is the second play in Wilson's cycle of 10 productions chronicling the black experience in 20th century America.
Set in the year 1911 in a boarding house in Pittsburgh, it deals with a time in American history when the sons and daughters of recently freed slaves journeyed to the booming industrial cities of the North in search of prosperity, a new way of life, and, essentially, their own identities.,
Joe Turner's Come and Gone opened on Broadway March 27, 1988, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and ran for 105 performances. Wilson's widow, Constanza Romero, has said "Joe Turner" was his favorite play.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Bassett announces SAG noms; Naomi in Miami; BET & PlayPhone; Prince to rock Obama ball?; Marbury meeting fruitless; Hendrix in Grammy Hall.
*"ER's" Angela Bassett and "Will & Grace" star Eric McCormack will announce the nominees for this year's Screen Actors Guild Awards in a live broadcast on Dec. 18. The nominees for five film and eight television categories will be revealed at 9 a.m. ET on TNT, with TBS.com carrying a live webcast, reports People.com. The 15th Annual SAG Awards Ceremony will air Jan. 25 on TNT and TBS at 8 p.m.
*Supermodel Naomi Campbell is in Miami to attend tonight's "In Fashion Photo," a retrospective of more than 50 photographs and illustrations of her from the past 20 years. Campbell was expected to throw her after-party for the expo at the Cipriani sales center in the former Saxony hotel, according to the New York Daily News, but the restaurant is currently dealing with some legal issues. Instead, the bash will be held at SET nightclub down the street.
*BET Networks has partnered with PlayPhone, Inc. to build and manage its mobile entertainment and personalization business. The new BET Mobile destination (http://mobile.bet.com) powered by PlayPhone is a place where fans can download new and exclusive mobile content directly to their mobile phones. The service is accessible on the Web or WAP deck (wap.bet.com) and is also easy to access from more than 2,000 wireless devices across all major North American wireless networks.
*Spike Lee, Anne Hathaway and Susan Sarandon are reportedly confirmed to attend the Creative Coalition's Gala Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center, where two tickets cost $10,000. According to People.com, Prince, Rihanna and Elvis Costello are in talks to perform at the event celebrating Barack Obama's presidential election, while Mary J. Blige and Common are reportedly interested.
*An attorney for New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury said nothing was resolved during their meeting Monday with team president Donnie Walsh, who suspended the player for one game without pay and docked him an additional game's salary last week after he reportedly refused Coach Mike D'Antoni's request to play in a loss to Detroit last Wednesday. The athlete's representative, Hal Biagas, wouldn't say if Marbury was reinstated or if there had been any progress toward a buyout.
*Jimi Hendrix's famous version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that opened the 1969 Woodstock Festival is among 28 new recordings added to the Grammy Hall of Fame, a featured part of the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles opening on Dec. 6. Queen's "We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You" also joined the Grammy Hall. Inductee "Let The Good Times Roll" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five will be featured in a live performance by B.B. King and John Mayer on "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!" airing tomorrow (Dec. 3) at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.