LAPD Violent Arrest Body Cam Vid Released ... Showing Officer Punching Man

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051220_lapd_violent_arrest_kal_v2 April 2020
FLYING OFF THE HANDLE

LAPD is releasing body cam footage of a brutal arrest ... showing an officer unloading punch after punch after punch on a man accused of trespassing on a vacant lot.

The April 27 arrest made national news last week thanks to a citizen's video of the incident, but now we can see and hear everything leading up to the arrest. Two officers responded to a call for alleged trespassing, and at first the man -- wearing an Eric Dickerson Rams jersey -- left the lot without incident.

Once the man was on the sidewalk, though, things got heated. The officers told him to leave the area, but he refused, saying he was doing nothing wrong because his family lives there. It quickly turned into an argument as the man said, "What the f**k you gonna do, my boy?" ... and the officer told him to assume the position.

The man said, "You don't f**king scare me fa***t" ... and the officer then attempted to get his hands behind his back to slap on handcuffs. That's when a struggle began, and one officer started swinging on the suspect ... throwing more than 20 punches, while his partner stood at the ready to fire her taser.

Back up eventually arrived and the man was arrested. He was later released with cuts to his head and face.

Police Chief Michael Moore says he's releasing the body cam footage to show transparency on the part of the LAPD. He says the officer who threw the punches has been taken off the street pending an Internal Affairs investigation.

Ahmaud Arbery Killing Mom Wants Life Sentences for Everyone Involved ... Including Man Who Shot Video

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Ahmaud Arbery's family and legal team know who they want punished for the killing of Ahmaud ... they want everyone involved with the case, from the accused murderers to law enforcement held accountable ... and they have specific punishments in mind.

Ahmaud's mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, tells TMZ ... "We want all parties involved to go to prison for life." She says this includes the 2 current murder suspects -- Gregory and Travis McMichael -- along with the man who recorded Arbery's slaying, William "Roddie" Bryan.

William Bryan 5/11/2020
TERRIFYING REPERCUSSIONS

Wanda tells us she and Ahmaud's legal team believe Bryan was involved in the fatal incident, but as we reported ... he claims he had nothing to do with it. However, he has not explained why he was recording.

For his part, Ahmaud's family's attorney, Lee Merritt, wants everyone involved in Arbery's death convicted and "appropriately sentenced."

Merritt believes Bryan should be prosecuted along with the McMichaels ... "because he actively participated in the ambush according to previous statements by the McMichaels” and “because our forensic expert says that he was likely holding and brandishing a firearm."

Merritt adds that for justice to be done, members of the Glynn County Police Department who initially failed to investigate Arbery's killing and make any arrests need to be held accountable.

He's also going after Jackie Johnson and George Barnhill, district attorneys involved in the case, for allegedly mishandling it at best ... or committing prosecutorial misconduct at worst.

Merritt tells us he believes Barnhill specifically should be disbarred by the Georgia State Bar, as well as removed from his position as District Attorney ... because of his role in both withholding information and actively attempting to taint the jury pool.

A new lead prosecutor has been appointed to the case by the Georgia Attorney General -- Joyette Holmes, the district attorney of the Cobb County Judicial Circuit.

Ahmaud's mom tells us Holmes called her to introduce herself and let her know she is taking over. Clearly, the expectations for her from Arbery's family are high.

Oprah Winfrey Pays Respects To Ahmaud Arbery's Mom ... Surprise Phone Call, Gift

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Oprah quietly performed a super-kind gesture ... calling Ahmaud Arbery's mother to pay her respects on what would have been his 26th birthday.

Ahmaud's mom, Wanda Cooper-Jones, tells TMZ ... Oprah personally reached out Friday, offering condolences over her son's murder and wishing Ahmaud a happy birthday.

Wanda says she was in disbelief when she answered the phone to find Oprah on the other end. She's still not sure how O got her number -- O's got her ways -- but Oprah said she was thinking of Ahmaud's family on what should have been his special day.

Oprah also told Wanda she hopes the family gets justice, but stopped short of saying what she thinks justice would be. Wanda also says O was happy Ahmaud's murder suspects, Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael, were finally arrested.

Oprah's not stopping with a cordial call ... Ahmaud's mom says she's sending something in the mail, but the contents remain a mystery.

O and her family also walked 2.26 miles Friday to honor Ahmaud on the day he would have turned 26.

As we reported ... lots of celebs showed their support for Ahmaud by walking 2.23 miles, which represents the date Arbery was shot and killed while jogging in Georgia on Feb. 23.

Ahmaud's mom tells us other celebs have reached out in an outpouring of support in the wake of her son's murder, which she calls "a senseless act."

Wanda says Gayle King called and offered kind words Thursday, and Rev. Jesse Jackson called and told her he wants to visit her and Ahmaud's family when it's safe to travel again.

Jason Momoa Shirtless No-Look Tomahawk Throws ... It's a Total LOL Show!!!

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Rest easy everyone, quarantine is not changing Jason Momoa -- he's still ripped, still going shirtless and still making ya laugh your ass off.

"Aquaman" earned a bunch of drooling and LOL emojis by flaunting his bod while trying to teach his son, Nakao-Wolf, how to throw no-look tomahawks. Keyword: trying, cause it's pretty clear Jason's also letting his comedy chops fly, and wife Lisa Bonet, who appears to be filming, can't contain her laughter.

You can see in the video Jason hilariously giving his son some solid at advice on how to master the no-look method ... with one tiny warning, "Just make sure no one is walking in the way."

His blooper reel includes him throwing a series of tomahawks including one he's dubbed the Mohican 2000. Jason starts by staring into the camera but then keeps his eyes there as he launches the 'hawks. He advises, "It's all about arrogance" before badly missing on several of his throws.

But, the "Game of Thrones" star doesn't care cause even if it sounded like one hit the ground "it didn't cause I never saw."

Point is ... Momoa's comedy chops are still as sharp as they were in his Super Bowl commercial.

There's gotta be something this guy can't do -- we just haven't seen it yet.

Designer Vera Wang Wowwww ... No Way She's 70!!!

Published

Vera Wang is apparently a 70-year-old woman trapped in a 20-something's body -- or she's a vampire -- because she doesn't look a day past 30 here, and the world is awestruck.

The fashion designer posed for a little quarantine photo shoot this week at her home in Miami, where she threw on a bright orange sports bra with a black hoodie hanging off her arms ... and some tight short-short denim cutoffs which showed off her killer legs.

Vera's midsection is also exposed, and she must have an all-access pass to the fountain of youth. She doesn't appear to have a wrinkle on her body anywhere. Mind you, she's going on 71 next month. Nice body of work to be toting around at that, or ANY age!!!

BTW, VDub does this a lot with new styles she's working on or wants to highlight ... often serving as her own model to show off what she likes. And, considering she's still got a very modelesque figure ... ya can't blame her.

We can say it, right? Some people are just blessed in the genes dept.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

In fact, we noticed she's been putting on quite the fashion show at home during lockdown -- and it looks like she's had a trusty photog capturing her strutting her stuff along the way.

Whoever that is ... lucky!

NBA's Darius Morris Accused Of Brutal Attack On Woman ... Accuser Backtracking

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Former NBA player Darius Morris -- a Lakers second-round pick in 2011 -- was arrested last month after a woman claimed he brutally attacked her ... but now the woman is insisting she made the whole thing up.

A spokesperson for the NYPD tells TMZ Sports ... on April 18, a woman told officers the 29-year-old pro basketball player beat her up during an altercation at a Manhattan-area home.

The woman told cops she had left the residence, and asked Morris to leave by the time she got back. But, she says when she returned, Darius was still there -- and he exploded on her.

Officers say the 34-year-old woman told them Morris "grabbed her by her hair and dragged her, punching and kicking her in the head repeatedly."

Law enforcement sources say as a result of the alleged attack, the woman sustained bruising and swelling on her eyes, forehead, and ear ... and also suffered a chipped tooth and bruises on her arms and back.

We're told the woman was treated at a local hospital ... and Morris was eventually arrested and booked on charges of strangulation and assault.

Cops say Morris was released ... but was arrested AGAIN just a few days later on April 30, after they claim he violated an order of protection.

We contacted Morris and his rep for comment ... but they offered no explanation.

After speaking with Morris' camp, we were contacted by the accuser, who now says she made the whole thing up and doesn't want to see Morris prosecuted.

Unclear what caused the change of heart -- she told us, "It's private, none of it's true." The accuser also says she will go to the D.A. to drop the case against Morris.

Morris was a star at the Univ. of Michigan, averaging 15 points per game in the 2010-2011 season ... and was ultimately picked by the Lakers with the 41st overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Morris played in the Association from '11-'15 ... and recently, had been playing for a pro team in France prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Little Ritchie on 'The New Adventures Of Old Christine' 'Memba Him?!

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California kid Trevor Gagnon was only 11 years old when he landed the role of small son Richard "Ritchie" Campbell Jr. -- the 3rd grader who gets pulled in two directions by his old and new moms -- in the early 2000s CBS sitcom, "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

Trevor Gagnon was cast on the family-friendly show opposite actors like Clark Gregg as Richard Campbell Sr., Emily Rutherfurd as the new Christine Hunter ... and of course, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the old Christine Campbell.

Gagnon is also well known for playing Loogie in the rockin' 2009 movie, "Shorts."

Guess what he looks like now at 24 years old!

Kobe and Gigi Bryant Helicopter Co. Claims 13-Year-Old Gigi Should Have Known the Risk

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We had to read this legal doc several times, because it was so shocking ... Island Express -- the company that owned the helicopter that sent 8 innocent passengers to their death -- claims Kobe AND 13-YEAR-OLD GIGI knew flying could result in an accident and therefore, Vanessa Bryant has no case.

It's true ... Island Express filed an answer to Vanessa's wrongful death lawsuit and, they threw in every argument in the book, including Act of God.

So, here's how it breaks down. Island Express says in its answer, "Kobe Bryant and GB [Gigi] had actual knowledge of all of the circumstances, particular dangers, and an appreciation of the risks involved and the magnitude thereof, and proceeded to encounter a known risk, and voluntarily assumed the risk of the accident, injury ... thereby barring or reducing [Vanessa's] claim for damages."

Island Express never explains how a 13-year-old girl appreciates such risks, and while we're on the subject, did anyone know helicopters are so dangerous that passengers who dare to board do so at their own peril? If that's the case, how come Island Express didn't have a big sign in front of the helicopter?

It gets even crazier. Island Express says it's not responsible for the crash because it was an Act of God. Well, blinding fog is definitely an act of God. Flying into it at 180 MPH is not.

Kobe has famously used a helicopter to travel for years -- dating back to when he played for the Lakers. He was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.
THE SCENE OF THE CRASH

And then, just like the pilot, Island Express blamed the crash on the passengers -- in this case Kobe and Gigi, saying their lawsuit should be thrown out because they were negligent.

And, there's more. Island Express said the accident was the result "of an unavoidable accident." Turning the helicopter around before going into the fog, or going very slow as the pilot ascended or descended might have made it avoidable.

Island Express says helicopter flying is "inherently dangerous" and someone like the pilot should have told them, but it's not the company's responsibility.

'Ink Master' Star Daniel Silva Arrested for Murder ... After Crash Kills YouTuber

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UPDATE

6:30 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Daniel was arrested and booked for murder. We're told he's still in the hospital.

"Ink Master" star Daniel Silva is about to be booked for murder after cops say he was involved in a car crash that killed YouTuber Corey La Barrie ... who died on his birthday.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... first-responders were called out to the scene of an accident in L.A. Sunday night -- where two men in a McLaren sports car somehow crashed into a street sign and tree while out for a drive. The passenger took the brunt of the hit.

Corrie La Barrie
SOLO B-DAY BASH

We're told the driver -- alleged to be Silva -- did not suffer life-threatening injuries in the wreck, but the passenger, La Barrie, did. Both were transported to a hospital, where the YouTube star was later pronounced dead. Our sources say Silva is still being treated for a broken hip, and will either be arrested for murder there or once he's discharged.

As for how this happened ... we're told police were briefed by witnesses at a party that both Silva and La Barrie had attended earlier in the night to celebrate Corey's birthday. Our sources say people told cops Silva was seen drinking earlier that night.

It is believed the McLaren was traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash -- but we don't have any other specifics about what led to the accident.

Both guys are incredibly popular in their own right, with a massive fan base. Daniel's a big hit on 'IM' -- and Corey had hundreds of thousands of followers.

Corey was 25 years old.

RIP

Originally Published -- 9:23 AM PT