'Till' Star Jalyn Hall It's More Than A Movie, It's a Movement ... Justice For Emmett Till!!!
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'Till' star Jalyn Hall says the film about Emmett Till is more than just art ... it's a form of activism and he's certain justice will be served, no matter how long it takes.
We got the 15-year-old Thursday outside "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and asked about the importance of sharing Emmett's story, whose death shocked so many when he was brutally killed in 1955 and a photo of his badly beaten body was made public.
Jalyn tells us he believes the movie will work as a movement, telling us filmmaker Keith Beauchamp worked on the project for 30 years, gathering missing evidence to create the movie.
If you didn't know, there's been a recent push to have Carolyn Bryant Donham indicted for accusing Emmett of whistling at her in a convenience store in 1955. Her claim led to a group of white men beating, mutilating and shooting Till in the head.
New evidence was recently uncovered -- including a 1955 arrest warrant with Donham's name on it for possibly lying about her encounter with Emmett -- but a grand jury declined to indict her.
That doesn't bother Hall though, who tells us justice has no expiration date. He says 'Till' shows the world what's missing ... and he's confident Justice will be served.
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Berlin Aquarium Tank Holding 1,500 Fish Explodes!!!
The world's largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium is blown to smithereens ... creating a flooding disaster in Berlin that's also killed 1,500 fish.
The Friday morning catastrophe destroyed a 260,000-gallon tank at Sea Life ... the aquarium sat in a complex that also houses a museum, cafes and a Radisson hotel.
The huge tank stood 46 feet high, so you can imagine the tragic scene that was left when it shattered.
All of the water, glass and, sadly, fish ... spilled out into the surrounding plaza and washed through the hotel lobby out onto the street.
More than 100 first responders and rescue dogs reportedly swarmed the area, and amazingly there were no fatalities. A few people got minor cuts from pieces of glass, and 350 hotel guests were evacuated.
As for what caused the disaster -- that's still under investigation. Officials don't see a clear cause yet. As one hotel guest put it, "The whole aquarium burst and what’s left is total devastation. Lots of dead fish, debris."
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Khloe & Kourtney Kardashian Pants On Fire Test ... 'I'm Not Sleeping with Tristan!!!'
Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian wanted to get to the bottom of some family truths, so they gave each other ... wait for it ... lie detector tests!!!
As bizarre as it sounds ... the sisters were hooked up to a polygraph machine and took turns grilling each other on their famous family's most intimate secrets -- including their own sex lives. A polygraph examiner sat at a table nearby to gauge the veracity of their answers in the 14-minute video published Thursday by Vanity Fair.
Khloe was grilled first by Kourtney, who peppered her sibling with questions about family fights, their children, weddings and social media posts. But, Kourt wasn't letting Khloe off that easy ... she asked a real zinger, setting it up this way ... "Is there anything you'd like me to ask you?" To clear up any rumors?"
Then she hit Khloe over the head ... "Oh, are you still sleeping with Tristan?"
Surprisingly, Khloe seemed amused ... "No, I am not. I'm really not." Of course, Khloe was referring to Tristan Thompson, her cheating ex-fiancé and father of their 2 young children.
Unconvinced, Kourt turned to the polygraph examiner, who confirmed Khloe was telling the truth. "Bravo!," Kourtney shouted.
The rolls were then reversed. Khloe questioned Kourtney ... partially about her kinky activities with husband Travis Barker, beginning with the couple getting caught having sex in public. "Do you regret doing that?" Khloe asked Kourt, who responded, "Nope."
It got weirder ... Khloe asked if the spouses dressed as animal characters known as "furries" in order "to bone one another." Kourt fired back, "No!" But then, she admitted to having sex with Travis in their Halloween costumes last year when they dressed as the lead characters in the 1993 romantic crime film, "True Romance."
The polygraph examiner gave Kourt the thumbs up ... she was truthful!!!
Seems like both sisters passed their polygraph tests. What's next? Espionage?
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Angela Yee Gunna Didn't Rat to Get Freedom ... Trolls W/ Tekashi Jokes Don't Know!!!
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Angela Yee says folks need to ease up on labeling Gunna a snitch -- just because he copped a plea deal in the YSL RICO case, she doesn't believe the rapper would ever sing to the feds.
We got the longtime 'Breakfast Club' host at the Allure Store in NYC, and asked her about Gunna's release this week from jail -- a move that's seemingly turned everyone on social media into legal experts, comparing him to Tekashi 6ix9ine ... who infamously ratted to get out of prison.
Angela admits she's no lawyer, but did tell us why she's hesitant to place the snitch label on Gunna.
12/14/22
As we reported, Gunna walked free Wednesday from the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, ending his 7 months of incarceration.
The Grammy-nominated rapper pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as part of a pre-negotiated plea known as an Alford plea and was sentenced to 5 years behind bars ... with one of those years commuted for time served and the remaining 4 suspended, pending special conditions and community service.
Angela doesn't think Young Thug has any problem with Gunna's plea deal -- she believes Thug didn't want to see Gunna locked up with him in the first place.
Bottom line for Angela, who was hosting the Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud event ... consider the source before taking those online snitch jokes seriously.
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Elon Musk Suspending Twitter Accounts For Reporters Who Cover Him
Elon Musk is hitting journalists who make a living reporting on the billionaire where he can ... silencing their Twitter accounts.
The new owner of the bird app is suspending Twitter accounts for reporters from major news outlets like The New York Times, Washington Post and CNN ... plus independent journos and folks who report for Mashable and The Intercept.
Among those losing their ability to tweet about Elon ... Donie O'Sullivan from CNN, Drew Harwell from WaPo, Matt Binder from Mashable, Ryan Mac from NYT, Micah Lee from The Intercept, plus Keith Olbermann and Aaron Rupar.
Lots of folks getting the boot have been writing and tweeting critically about Elon ... but the fact is Musk owns Twitter so he can do what he wants with his private company.
Of course, Elon's claimed he's a champion of free speech ... and some folks say that's just not jiving with suspensions for reporters.
Here's what some of those banned reporters are seeing when they try to log in to their Twitter accounts ... a message telling them their account is permanently suspended for violating Twitter rules.
Elon's been changing Twitter terms of service on the fly ... and it's unclear what rules the journalists supposedly violated to earn a suspension.
It appears more accounts are being suspended.
Stay tuned ...
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Pop Warner Investigating Alleged Racial Slurs ... Team Denies N-Word Use
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2:45 PM PT -- Local Pop Warner officials tell TMZ Sports an investigation into the incident is underway ... and "all information" is being reviewed in preparation for a hearing on the matter.
Rocky Mountain Pop Warner president Michael Stearns also notes the org. hired an audio specialist to enhance the audio of the clip ... and they determined the man in question did not use a racial slur. Instead, they claim he said "m*****s."
"This word is equally concerning to Rocky Mountain Pop Warner as there is no place for any type of derogatory and/or harassing language to be used within Pop Warner. All matters will be reviewed and actions taken appropriately by our league."
9:21 AM PT -- Zeric Martinez -- the Mountain Lions' former president and coaching volunteer -- says he spoke with several witnesses present at the time of the altercation, and they are adamant no racial slurs were said during the exchange.
Witnesses claim the man in the video yelled an offensive term for little people in response to a similar comment made by a Hamden coach ... but deny the man in the video said anything racially charged.
Pop Warner has launched an investigation into a disgusting incident following a tournament game ... in which coaches were allegedly targeted with racial slurs by a man affiliated with the opposing team.
It all went down hours after the Hamden Hurricanes (CT) beat the Highlands Ranch Mountain Lions (CO) in the Div. 2 12U quarterfinals of the Pop Warner National Championships on Dec. 3 ... when coaches on both teams ran into each other at the hotel they were staying at in Orlando.
In the footage, obtained by TMZ Sports, the Hamden coaches are clearly trying to distance themselves from the Highlands Ranch staffers ... with one man explaining they were told by the "higher ups" to avoid any interaction.
Sources tell us the reason behind the tense interaction was due to coaches and fans of Highlands Ranch allegedly yelling racially charged words at Hamden, a team that consists of mostly Black players, throughout the game.
In the video, a Highlands Ranch coach continues to try to talk to adults with Hamden ... but they repeatedly say they aren't interested in talking, as they "have more s*** to lose."
Eventually, Hamden leaves the area ... and that's when a man -- who we're told is affiliated with the Highlands Ranch team -- hurled out the racial slurs, according to sources ... who claim he referred to them as "f***ing n*****s."
Pop Warner released a statement to TMZ Sports ... saying, "The disturbing behavior shown in the video is inconsistent with our code of conduct and the expectations we have of our adult volunteers."
The org. says it will conduct an investigative hearing on the matter next week ... and if the person in the video is, in fact, affiliated with a PW team, they will face discipline -- including suspension.
"One thing is clear: the abhorrent conduct and language exhibited in this video are unacceptable," Pop Warner added. "Our organization is committed to a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all young people and their families."
"No one should ever encounter this kind of behavior. We will take all measures necessary to address the situation."
Originally Published -- 12:15 AM PT
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Alex O'Donnell In '17 Again' 'Memba Him?!
American actor, singer and dancer Sterling Knight was 20 years old when he was cast as Alex O'Donnell -- the insecure basketball player who was bullied in high school -- in the 2009 film "17 Again."
Sterling shared the big screen with Zac Efron as the star basketball player who is being highly recruited for college basketball, Mike O'Donnell, Matthew Perry as the older version of Mike O'Donnell and Leslie Mann as the adult version of the high school teen who becomes pregnant, Scarlet O'Donnell.
Sterling is also known from his days on Disney Channel's "Sonny With A Chance" playing Chad Dylan Cooper alongside Demi Lovato.
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'RHOSLC' Star Jen Shah Tons of Knockoff Designer Bags & Bling Seized by Feds in Case
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Jen Shah seems to have a thing for counterfeits ... because the feds say they seized a ton of fake designer bags and jewelry when they raided her Utah home.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star was sitting on a treasure trove of knockoffs ... including more than 30 counterfeit luxury bags and around 40 pieces of counterfeit luxury bling.
Jen's counterfeit collection included knockoff bags from designers like Chanel, Balenciaga, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Fendi ... mostly made in China.
Jen's fake jewelry included pieces claiming to be designed by Bulgari, Chanel, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Hermes and Tiffany & Co.
The feds seized all of Jen's knockoffs when they raided her home back in March 2021 as part of an investigation into her fraud case.
As part of Jen pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, she was ordered to forfeit $6.5 million to help pay up to $9.5 million in restitution ... and the feds have now released the inventory of the items.
The list does also include legitimate designer purses and jewelry such as bling from castmate Meredith Marks' company -- that will hopefully put a dent in what she owes.
Seems Uncle Sam knows how to spot a knockoff.
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Aaron Carter Fiancée Gets Full Custody Over Son
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Aaron Carter's son, Prince, is back in the hands of his mom ... because we've learned Aaron's fiancée Melanie Martin just got full custody of her son.
A rep for Melanie tells TMZ -- a hearing was held Thursday in L.A., and the court found her fit to care for her child -- awarding her full custody of the 1-year-old. We're told Melanie was in New York at the time but was contacted by her legal team with the good news.
Her rep says she's currently on her way to Cali to get Prince ... adding she's extremely happy and eager to see her son.
For those unaware, Prince has been cared for by Melanie's mom since September when Aaron and Melanie lost custody, reportedly due to concerns about drug use and domestic violence.
Melanie tells TMZ, "I’m honoring Aaron today and I know he would be so proud of me. I’m very emotional thinking we could have been a family, but Aaron would be so happy knowing I got him back.”
Aaron's mom, Jane, tells us Melanie getting her kid back is the right call ... noting "The child should be with the mother." Jane told us earlier this month she and Aaron's siblings still haven't met Prince -- but would love the opportunity.
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Stephen 'tWitch' Boss No Financial Issues Before Suicide ... Despite Online Theory
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There's an online theory circulating that claims Stephen "tWitch" Boss and his family were in bad shape financially at the time of his suicide ... something we're told simply isn't true.
People playing detective on social media are working to figure out what may have led tWitch to take his own life. One popular theory -- based on some of the accounts he followed on Instagram -- was that he had invested heavily and lost big in cryptocurrency.
Sources with direct knowledge tell us that is false -- Stephen was not experiencing any sort of financial hardship in the time leading up to his suicide. What's more -- our law enforcement sources say no one from the family has mentioned any sort of financial issues with Stephen.
As for the social media chatter, a video posted by actor Columbus Short also helped to fuel the fire -- where the actor shared his own theory that tWtich may have had money issues.
Our sources say Stephen knew Columbus through the dance world -- and their personal interactions were always directly associated with working environments.
TMZ broke the story -- tWitch's wife, Allison Holker, told cops Tuesday she became worried about her husband when he left their home without warning a day earlier and wasn't answering his phone.
As we first told you, tWitch had checked into a motel less than a mile from his home Monday carrying a small bag. Hotel employees checked in on his room Tuesday after he missed checkout and discovered him dead in the bathroom from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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Jane Fonda My Cancer's In Remission!!! 'I Am Feeling So Blessed'
Jane Fonda got a terrific early birthday present -- because she's revealing her cancer's gone into remission just before her 85th bday.
The actress and activist shared the fantastic news online Thursday ... calling the discovery the "BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!" She says she was told by her oncologist last week that her cancer went into remission, and she can stop undergoing chemotherapy.
She goes on to say how blessed and fortunate she feels, thanking everyone for their good thoughts and prayers ... adding "I am confident that it played a role in the good news."
Jane acknowledges her latest chemo session was "rough," and the effects from it lasted 2 weeks -- "making it hard to accomplish much of anything."
She does say it wore off in time for her to march at the "first live, in-person Fire Drill Fridays rally" -- a gathering that invites firefighters to fight for a healthier and greener world.
As we reported, Jane shockingly announced she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September, saying she was set to do chemo for 6 months.
Congrats, Jane!!!
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Tory Lanez Trial Megan's Ex-BFF Kelsey Swears ... Tory Didn't Buy Me!!!
3:28 PM PT -- Tory's attorney asked Kelsey about the fact police say she had gunshot residue on her hands, and she said she wasn't sure where it came from, "I just know I had it."
She also acknowledged she and Megan did have a physical altercation in the SUV, but she tried to downplay it, saying they were drunk and "probably just bumped each other." As for reports they were yelling at each other outside of the vehicle, she would only admit they both got out at the same time.
And there's this ... earlier in the day, prosecutors presented texts Kelsey sent immediately after the shooting describing Tory physically attacking her, and at least one other that read, "Tory shot Meg."
Kelsey said she'd sent the texts in a panic, or she didn't remember sending them at all.
Megan Thee Stallion's former bestie, Kelsey Nicole Harris, still has a bad case of courtroom amnesia, and about all she can recall is ... Tory Lanez didn't pay her off.
Kelsey was back on the stand Thursday for her second day of testimony in Tory's trial for allegedly shooting Meg in her feet -- and much like Wednesday, Kelsey's suddenly claiming she doesn't remember any details from the night of the shooting.
Under cross-examination, Tory's attorney asked Kelsey if Tory paid her anything and she said, "No. I want to make it very clear ... Tory didn't pay me anything."
That was pretty much her longest response all day. Earlier, the prosecution asked if she remembered telling them during a September interview "that Tory tried to bribe you?" She said, "I don't remember what I said in September."
She also did not recall telling prosecutors in September that Tory fired the gun, or seeing Megan limping after the gunshots were fired that night in July 2020.
As for why she's apparently changing her story from September, Kelsey said she was "receiving pressure" back then. When asked from what or whom ... she offered the oddly vague, "from everything."
When asked squarely, "Who shot [Megan]?" ... Kelsey said, "I don't know."
Megan Thee Stallion's Ex-BFF, Kelsey, Recants Statements on the Stand
On Wednesday, Kelsey swore under oath she wasn't the one who pulled the trigger, which, logically speaking, only leaves Tory and the driver of the SUV as potential suspects ... and no one's ever alleged the driver fired the shots.
She also repeatedly said "no" when asked if she was afraid of Tory, or if she'd spoken to him or Meg or their attorneys.
Kelsey, who prior to yesterday everyone believed would be the key witness, will be back on the stand after a lunch break.
We smell a bunch of one-word responses coming. Stay tuned!
Story developing ...
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Ejected Milwaukee Bucks Fan I Didn't Threaten Draymond's Life ... I Swear!!!
The fan who Draymond Green had booted from the Warriors vs. Bucks game earlier this week says he never threatened the Golden State star's life ... insisting he was actually being nice to the NBA player.
Mike Shane spelled his side of the story out on the "KJ Live" podcast this week ... explaining that when he was trash-talking Green during the third quarter of the big game at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night, he was actually saying Milwaukee fans were giving him "a pass."
Draymond pic.twitter.com/gJGgK82jFK
— That's a highlight (@ClipIt_NBA) December 14, 2022 @ClipIt_NBA
Shane said the city harbored a lot of anger toward Green for punching Milwaukee native Jordan Poole at a Warriors practice earlier this year ... but everyone was now willing to let it go.
New Video Shows Draymond Green Violently Punch Jordan Poole at Warriors Practice
"I was speaking up for the city of Milwaukee," the R&B singer said. "Basically telling him, like, we're giving you a pass. We haven't forgotten about what you did -- a big bully -- and we're giving you a pass."
"We forgive you."
Shane, though, says Green "blew it out of proportion," and had him kicked out of the arena.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
But, the superfan says the Bucks were cool about it all ... and even offered him a refund and future tickets.
"There was two police officers who were actually right there," Shane added. "There was a police officer and the league security who came back there and vouched for me. They were right there and said I didn't use any profanity, I didn't say anything malicious."
Draymond went to the officials to have a fan removed from the game pic.twitter.com/HPrDvVKNOO
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 14, 2022 @NBCSWarriors
For his part, Green was adamant the fan said "some threatening stuff to my life" -- and he told reporters he was hopeful future rules and laws would be put in place to tamp down the heckling at games.
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Dave Chappelle Attacker Cops Plea, Gets Hard Time ... 270-Day Jail Sentence
The man charged with attacking Dave Chappelle onstage at the Hollywood Bowl just got sentenced to 9 months behind bars after taking a plea deal with prosecutors.
Dave's attacker, 24-year-old Isaiah Lee, was sentenced Thursday to 270 days in Los Angeles County jail after pleading no contest to a pair of misdemeanor counts -- entering a restricted area during a live event and battery -- according to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.
As we reported ... Lee ran onstage in the middle of Dave's May 3 performance at the Hollywood Bowl, evading security and tackling Chappelle to the ground.
After taking Dave to the ground, Lee ran off the stage ... catching an epic beatdown before being arrested.
It was discovered Lee was carrying a replica gun with a knife blade during the incident ... and L.A. County D.A. George Gascon took a ton of heat for refusing the charge Lee with a felony. Instead, the L.A. City Attorney ultimately charged him with four misdemeanors.
We're told the weapon will now be destroyed.
Remember ... in a jailhouse interview with the NY Post in the weeks following the attack, Lee said he was bisexual and claimed he was "triggered" by Dave's LGBT jokes.
In addition to his jail sentence for the Chappelle attack, Lee is facing an attempted murder charge for a separate incident where he's accused of stabbing his roommate.
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Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Wife Told Cops He Left Unexpectedly ... Wouldn't Answer Phone
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DJ Stephen "tWitch" Boss' wife was adamant with cops Tuesday morning ... she knew something was terribly wrong, because he'd left home without warning and stopped all communication.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ when Allison Holker entered a branch of the LAPD Tuesday to report Stephen missing, she stressed how out of character tWitch's disappearance was. She told cops he just simply left their house -- there was no argument or issue -- and he wouldn't answer any of her calls.
Our law enforcement sources say they then accompanied Allison back to the family's home, doing a brief check around the property for any video or clues as to where he'd gone.
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We're told Allison was so insistent on how odd tWitch's behavior was, officers considered listing him as a "critical missing persons" case.
However, as TMZ first reported, a 911 call came in shortly after Allison's contact with cops ... saying tWitch's body had been discovered at a motel less than a mile from his home. The DJ and TV host was dead by suicide -- a self-inflicted gunshot.
We spoke with staffers at the motel who said Stephen checked in Monday morning with a small bag, and booked just a single night. The staffers told us Stephen did not seem visibly upset, and his body was discovered Tuesday after he failed to check out on time.
Celebrity and fan tributes continue to pour in for tWitch from people like Justin Timberlake, who knew tWitch for over 20 years, and Ellen DeGeneres who called him, "pure love and light."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
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Cruise Ship Horror Woman Dies After Going Overboard ... Coast Guard Finds Body
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A woman has died after going overboard on a cruise ship traveling from the Bahamas to Florida.
A rep for the U.S. Coast Guard tells TMZ they were alerted about a 36-year-old female who'd gone overboard on the MSC Meraviglia early Thursday morning about 18 miles off the coast of Port Canaveral in FL.
From there, we're told the Coast Guard sent out both a helicopter and search boat to find the woman ... and her body was located a short time later.
A passenger onboard tells us the ship was traveling from Ocean Cay in The Bahamas to Port Canaveral when the incident happened.
1 Dead, 4 Injured After Huge 'Rogue Wave' Smashes Into Cruise Ship Window
According to the passenger, a staffer on the cruise ship said the woman jumped ... but we have not yet confirmed that info.
A rep for MSC tells us, "Unfortunately, despite the rapid rescue operation, the passenger sustained fatal injuries. We are offering our full support to authorities as they investigate this matter. We are deeply saddened by this incident and offer our sincerest condolences to the family and those affected."
NOVEMBER 2022
It was earlier this month when passenger James Michael Grimes fell off a Carnival Cruise and spent 20 hours in the ocean until he was rescued. Grimes claimed he'd been drinking the day of his accident, but didn't remember how much he had.