All posts containing the tag: "trial"
John Travolta just walked into court in the Bahamas with wife Kelly Preston -- where he'll testify in the extortion over their son's death.
Travolta will testify about his interaction with the paramedic/defendant while they were trying to save his son. He will also testify about his reaction to the alleged extortion demand.
Travolta arrived at the courthouse surrounded by Bahamas police officers.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, John Travolta, Exclusives
Sources connected with John Travolta tell TMZ the actor's testimony in the extortion trial over his son's death will focus on two issues -- John's interaction with a paramedic/defendant as they tried to save his son ... and John's emotional reaction to the alleged plot.
As we first reported, Travolta will travel to the Bahamas and take the stand this week in the trial of paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater. The pair is accused of trying to extort $25 million from Travolta by threatening to go public with a document that could have relieved medical responders of liability. Ironically, the document had no relevance.
Sources say Travolta will testify about his interaction with paramedic Lightbourne, who tried to revive Jett Travolta after he suffered a massive seizure at the family's Bahamian vacation home.
We're told once the extortion demand was allegedly made, Travolta had no direct contact with any of the alleged extortionists. But sources say prosecutors will ask Travolta about his reaction once he learned of the plot just days after his son's death. This will almost certainly be the most dramatic and emotional part of the trial which could have enormous impact.
Our sources say Kelly Preston will not testify.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, John Travolta, Exclusives
TMZ has confirmed John Travolta will testify next week at the extortion trial involving the death of his son, Jett.
Travolta will travel to the Bahamas to testify on behalf of the prosecution. Paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former politician Pleasant Bridgewater allegedly demanded $25 million in return for not going public with a document which authorized paramedics to take 16-year-old Jett to a hospital via ambulance after suffering a massive seizure.
We're told Travolta and wife Kelly Preston are outraged by the alleged extortion plot which authorities say was concocted shortly after Jett's death.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, John Travolta
Adnan Ghalib, Britney Spears' former boyfriend, will stand trial for felony assault with a deadly weapon, battery and hit-and-run, because a judge just decided there's enough evidence to prosecute him.
Adnan's preliminary hearing just ended, after the alleged victim -- Ram Moskowitz -- testified how the photog struck him with a car after Ram tried serving him with legal papers.
Adnan did not testify. He'll be arraigned on July 23. If convicted Adnan faces 7 years in prison.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Britney Spears
Rihanna has a big date with Chris Brown today ... along with a judge, a few lawyers and a courtroom full of onlookers.
RiRi is set to take the stand as a witness against Chris Brown in his preliminary hearing, which begins at 1:45 PM PT.
Rihanna's testimony is hugely important. Will she stick to the story she told cops the night of the beating? Rihanna said Brown had beaten her before and the violence was escalating.
One big question -- will Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, cross-examine Rihanna? We're told if the case goes to trial Geragos will make a big point that Rihanna was the initial aggressor, repeatedly hitting him before he began pounding on her.
Also hugely important ... the photos of Rihanna's battered face. We've published one pic graphically showing the brutality of the beating. But we're told that photo pales by comparison to photos taken the next day after the bruising and swelling settled. Those photos will almost certainly be introduced into evidence during the prelim.
The judge has rejected TV or livestream coverage. We'll have constant updates.
Filed under: Rihanna, Chris Brown
Snoop Dogg won't have to ante up in the lawsuit where he was accused of assaulting and battering a dude after a Seattle concert back in 2005.
A jury decided Mr. Dogg doesn't owe Richard Monroe Jr. anything for the alleged attack. But some no-name performer, along with Doggy Style Music and others, will have to pay $449,000 for Monroe's injuries.
Story developing ...
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Snoop Dogg
A criminal protective order was just granted against Adnan Ghalib on behalf of Ram Maskowtiz -- the process server Adnan allegedly ran over with his car in February.
Adnan Ghalib was just in a Van Nuys Courthouse, where a judge continued his preliminary hearing setting to May 18. Ghalib has been charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon, felony battery and felony hit-and-run charges.
The judge denied an attempt to have Britney, her two sons, her father and K-Fed added to the protective order -- because they're already protected by a restraining order that was filed by the conservatorship.
Ghalib's attorney also requested pictures from a security camera that took photos of the alleged crime scene -- which he thinks will vindicate his client.
Filed under: Britney Spears
A preliminary hearing has been set for the trial of Robert O'Ryan -- the man accused of stalking Shawn Johnson.
O'Ryan and his impressive gathering of chin hair appeared in L.A. County Criminal Court today -- where a judge set the date for June 11.
O'Ryan faces three charges for the March incident -- one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, TV, Dancing with the Stars, Shawn Johnson
Chris Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, has requested an unscheduled hearing even before Brown's arraignment in the alleged beating of Rihanna -- and it has to do with Rihanna testifying in the case -- or not testifying!
We've learned the case has been officially moved to L.A. County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg. She's the judge who signed the search warrant in the case.
The hearing is set for March 23. It will take place in Judge Schnegg's chambers. Prosecutors will join Geragos but Chris Brown will not be present.
Geragos is the one who requested the meeting. We know it involves Rihanna's possible testimony in the case. Will Geragos ask the judge to block prosecutors from calling Rihanna or limiting her testimony? We don't know for sure.
We do know the meeting has nothing to do with a plea bargain.
The arraignment is still set for April 6.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Rihanna, Chris Brown
Shocking new evidence about what happened in the car the night Chris Brown allegedly beat Rihanna.
TMZ has obtained LAPD detectives notes from a search warrant in the case. According to the notes, Rihanna read a three-page text message on Brown's phone from a woman. An argument ensued and Brown allegedly tried forcing Rihanna out of the car but couldn't because she was wearing her seat belt.
Brown then allegedly shoved Rihanna's head against the passenger window. When Rihanna turned to face him, Brown punched her, then continued punching her while driving, according to the detective's notes.
Blood spattered all over Rihanna's clothing and in the interior of the car. Her mouth was filled with blood.
Brown allegedly told Rihanna, "I'm going to beat the **** out of you when we get home. You wait and see."
Rihanna called her assistant and left a message saying, "I am on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there."
Brown then replied, "You just did the stupidest thing ever. I'm going to kill you."
According to the report, Brown continued to punch Rihanna, bit her on her ear, her fingers and put her in a headlock -- she almost lost consciousness.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Rihanna, Chris Brown
Even if Rihanna refuses to cooperate with prosecutors, the L.A. County District Attorney may have evidence even more powerful than the gruesome photos. Multiple law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the night of the attack Rihanna told cops she was the victim of escalating violence -- and the perp was Brown.
LAPD cops interviewed Rihanna after the attack and she told them Brown had been violent toward her in the past and that the attacks were getting "more violent" as time went on. The interview is potent evidence if the L.A. County D.A. charges Brown with felony domestic battery, and that could happen as early as today.
And there's something else. The photo that TMZ obtained showing Rihanna battered, bloody and bruised is mild compared to other photos. We've learned additional pics were taken on February 9, the day after the attack, and they are far more gruesome -- the bruises and swelling far more pronounced. We're told these photos show injuries that could be devastating in a case against Brown.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Rihanna, Chris Brown
TMZ has learned the L.A. County District Attorney has received the Chris Brown case from the LAPD.
No decision will be made today. It is under review.
Brown was arrested for allegedly making criminal threats. Sources say the D.A. will review that allegation as well as felony domestic battery.
Brown is scheduled to make an appearance in court tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if the D.A. files charges tomorrow and if Brown is arraigned. If that happens, it will be especially interesting if Rihanna shows up with him.
Of course, we will be all over it.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Rihanna, Chris Brown
Just a status report: Police are still tying up loose ends in the Chris Brown investigation. The L.A. County D.A. does not have the case for review -- at least not yet.
The D.A. sent the case back to the LAPD last month to further investigate the allegation that Brown made criminal threats against Rihanna.
We just checked with the D.A. -- the LAPD has not presented the case to them.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Rihanna, Chris Brown
Now that Rihanna has apparently decided to forgive Chris Brown for that unfortunate beat down, the burning question is whether Chris will beat the rap.
Here's the lowdown. We're hearing the case will be turned over to the Los Angeles County D.A. next week, and a decision should be made soon thereafter on whether to file criminal charges against him. The two most likely charges: Making criminal threats and domestic violence.
As for a possible criminal threats charge, we think it's now less likely the D.A. will file because of Rihanna's change of heart. First of all, sources tell us the main reason he was arrested for this is because he allegedly told Rihanna something to the effect of, "I'm going to kill you." It's a terrible thing to say, but lots of people say it in the heat of battle, so it's thin to begin with. Add to that -- Rihanna may well testify she never believed he meant it and the case looks a bit lame.
Domestic violence is a whole other thing. When the jury sees the pictures of a clearly battered Rihanna, it's probably more powerful than any testimony she'd give. In fact, if she were to get on the stand and say she started the fight or somehow deserved it, it would not ring true ... especially because he was hardly the worse for wear when he was busted.
And there's this ... given the picture, it's going to be a tough call not to prosecute Brown.
Finally, we're told more than half of the D.A.'s domestic violence cases involve women who have either recanted their stories or have gotten back together with the alleged abuser.
We think a decision could come down sometime next week.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Rihanna, Chris Brown
Jeremy Piven showed up for his grievance hearing lodged by the Actors' Equity Association for leaving his Broadway play -- Speed-the-Plow -- mid-run, because of excessive, mercury-laden sushi.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Jeremy Piven
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