On Wednesday April 21st, singer songwriter Nate Walka will be honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Producers at the 27th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards. He is being recognized for his work as songwriter of the R&B smash hit single “Blame It.”
It appears that Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has declined to prosecute the person accused of killing the Real Housewives’ of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss former Fiancée Ashley “AJ” Jewell as the cause of death has been ruled to be a result of his sickle-cell illness.
There were many speculations as to how and why Jewell died but at the end the State of Georgia will not be prosecuting the case. Does that prevent his family for filing a wrongful death suit? Probably not, but will there be a different result from such a civil filing? That all depends on what evidence would be presented to a jury which the burden of proof is not as high as it would be in a criminal case.
The attorney for a man accused of killing the former fiancé of one of the stars of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is not surprised the case has been dropped.
But the charges never should have been brought at all, attorney Dennis Sheib said Tuesday.
Late Monday, Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard announced that his office would not proceed with criminal charges against Frederick Richardson. Since October, Richardson had been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Ashley “A.J.” Jewell, the former fiancé of Kandi Burruss, a member of the “Real Housewives” cast.
Jewell, 36, died Oct. 2 several hours after he fought with Richardson outside a north Atlanta strip club, the Body Tap. The medical examiner said the primary cause of Jewell’s death was a rare sickle-cell trait.
The disorder, which strikes mostly African-Americans, decreases the red blood cells’ flexibility and carries a risk of various medical complications. The average life expectancy of men with the disease is 42.
But Jewell’s family rejected that explanation and demanded a second autopsy.
In November, Howard said he had agreed to have the body exhumed.
“The family of the deceased expressed grave concern about the accuracy of the autopsy findings,” Howard said in a statement Monday evening. “For that reason, our office enlisted the service of two additional medical experts who specialize in sickle-cell diagnosis and treatment.”
The body was not exhumed, however.
“The experts ultimately concluded such an exhumation would serve no meaningful purpose,” Howard said. “After conducting their own analyses of the autopsy findings, the medical experts have indicated their concurrence with the initial autopsy findings concluding that Ashley Jewell died as a result of a sickle cell crisis.”
Jewell’s parents could not be reached for comment. Markel Hutchins, who was the spokesman for the family, did not return voicemail or e-mail messages seeking comment.
Howard said investigators from his office also re-interviewed witnesses – those questioned by police as well as people the Jewell family suggested.
“These recent interviews produced no evidence that Mr. Richardson was at fault in the death of Ashley Jewell. Accordingly, there will be no further action taken against Mr. Richardson at this time,” Howard said.
Jewell, trying to buy an interest in the club, had had an ongoing struggle with Richardson, a club manager, police said. Investigators said they suspected Jewell didn’t think Richardson showed him enough respect.
Scheib, Richardson’s lawyer, said the two exchanged words in a club office and then Jewell pulled a gun. Scheib said Jewell followed Richardson to the parking lot and that is where he hit Jewell twice and Richardson hit Jewell once.
Witnesses said Jewell was conscious after the fight was over but winded when the ambulance came. The medical examiner’s office said Jewell might not have been able to replenish oxygen after overexerting himself in the fight.
Scheib said he had insisted since October that the case should have been thoroughly investigated before Richardson was charged.
“But Paul Howard said, ‘No. Make an arrest.’ For six months, this has been going back and forth,” Scheib said.
He said Howard agreed to spend money “to go back over everything and come back with the same results.”
Source: AJC
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April 17th, 2010 across the country was a day of celebration and appreciation to the various “mom and pop” record stores who have provided a platform for the up and coming recording artists to test their music to the community via mix tapes and independent DVDs.
This was the case yesterday in Southeast Atlanta when veteran retailer Tobago Benito of DBS Sounds invited local musical artists and executives to come out and meet and greet the fans who have supported their music over the years.
The event was attended by Atlanta’s own Jody Breeze, Maff Test, Rasheeda, Outlawz, Artist/producer Jon Wain, Mr. Collipark, Vistoso Bosses, Rapper Maceo, DJ Fahrenheit, DJ Judgemental and DJ Goldfinger just to name a few. In addition to the artists and executives coming out to support the event, The store’s owner allowed some up and coming acts to perform their new music.
Record Store Day is a day where all music lovers from old to new school can come together to celebrate the longevity, camaraderie and inspiration local record stores instill in the community. For over 16 years, Atlanta has been the home of DBS Sounds record stores.
Tobago Benito’s DBS Sounds I & II have been the backbone and on the frontline for recording artists and labels in the Southeast since the beginning of most popular artist’s careers!
With the drastic decline of CD sales and the billion-dollar bite the industry is suffering due to bootlegging and music piracy, independent record stores are closing left and right and DBS Sounds is a true survivor among a dying breed. When many artists couldn’t get distribution, or didn’t have label support or know how, Tobago Benito and DBS Sounds were always there and continues to push major and indie projects or give artists an outlet to sell their music to the masses.
When asked about the impact the internet and digital downloads have affected DBS Sounds, Mr. Benito was quick to explain that he just keeps up with the evolution of new technology by launching dbssounds.com and staying on the cutting edge of music distribution. “Actually we have seen some of our best sales last year so it really hasn’t had an impact on us.”
We want to give a special thanks to Trea Davenport of Trea Day Management & Publicity and DBS Sounds for inviting us out.
Expected to be a hit at the box office, Actor/ Funny man Chris Rock recently sat down with Robin Roberts to discuss the making of the film “Death At A Funeral” which stars Martin Lawrence, Tracey Morgan & Danny Glover to name a few. Check out the interview below as well as enjoy the trailer. The movie is in theaters now.
Reality star and one time porn actor Ray J Norwood apologized to Miami rapper Flo Rida for calling him a “sucka” recently on the premiere of VH1’s Brandy & Ray J Show. On the show Ray J was disappointed that Flo Rida didn’t offer to pay for his sister & singer Brandy’s outfit to attend the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards show back in January.
Granted $200k Property Bond
Shawty Redd
The man who was responsible for creating the sounds that catapulted the career of Young Jeezy to giving rap legend Snoop Dogg his first Grammy nomination will likely beat the murder rap he was charged with on New Year’s Day if a Henry Country jury believes he was acting in self defense at his home back in January.
How It Feels featuring Nipsey Hussle: {audio}images/stories/mafftest_knowhowitfeelin_.mp3{/audio}
Story Up starring Maff Test: {audio}images/stories/story_up.mp3{/audio}
One of the most talked about independent artist in the hip hop culture just released a new fire track that debuts exclusively on HHE today. Maff Test aka Young Harvey recently collaborated with West Coast rapper Nipsey Hussle to come up with “How It Feels” which just certifies that the Harvey born rapper is here to stay.
Is someone sleeping at the wheel at the Toyota assembly line or have they just lost their touch for producing a safe running vehicle? There was a time when I would only drive Toyota vehicles dating back to the Pathfinder because of their reliability on the road. Those days have passed and I for one will consider other options when choosing a vehicle. I don’t know of any other car manufacturer that has experience so many recalls in a short window like the ones the Toyota Corporation is currently experiencing. Here is the problem;
HHE caught up with the star’s of BET’s The Tiny & Toya Show in Atlanta recently where they discussed their business ventures family and of course talked about their relationship with two of the biggest artists in hip hop.
We just received exclusive news from the folks over at VH1 that TLC’s Chilli’s show “What Chilli Wants” has beat out The Brandy & Ray J Show as well as Basketball Wives to hold the top spot for ratings during the debut which aired this past Sunday.
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HHE spoke exclusively with Debra Antney, the person responsible with the success of some of the biggest acts in the south who informed Dennis Byron that she is no longer representing rapper Nicki Minaj.
CON ARTIST TRIES TO SCAM INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER AND GETS EXPOSED – WATCH THE VIDEO
A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from a well known Industry Executive wanting to know whether or not I was familiar with a guy claiming to be with the nationally popular magazine Hip Hop Weekly.
Check out the premiere of the remix of Waka Flocka Flame’s “O Let’s Do It”
Featuring Diddy & Rick Ross
Some speculated that Erykah’s recent video was shot against a green screen but it appears that is far from what actually happened according to Dallas, Texas police. Neosoul singer Erykah Badu faces a disorderly conduct charge for her nude music video shoot in downtown Dallas’ Dealey Plaza, officials announced Friday.
Badu, a Dallas native, performed a walking striptease in front of tourists and pedestrians during the March 13 shoot for Badu’s “Window Seat” music video. The performance ended with a nude Badu acting out receiving a fatal gunshot to the head at the spot where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
Sgt. Warren Mitchell said Friday the decision to cite Badu for disorderly conduct — a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 — came after witness Ida Espinosa, 32, of Vernon, offered a sworn statement to police Thursday. Espinosa declined to comment to The Associated Press on Friday.
“Having a fact witness that was there is what let us file the charges,” Mitchell said. “After much discussion, we feel that these charges best fit her conduct. She disrobed in a public place without regard to individuals and small children who were close by.”
Mitchell said the department has had “people calling from all across the country to express their concern.”
Mitchell said Badu can either fight the charge or pay the fine. He said a citation would be mailed to the singer.
Carla Sims, a spokeswoman for Badu, had no immediate comment Friday.
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