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One of the men convicted in the 2002 killing of RUN-DMC's DJ, Jam Master Jay, just had his murder conviction overturned last week -- a big surprise for Darryl McDaniels!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with the legendary DMC walking our way in New York City on Monday, and he didn't even let us finish our sentence ... he had just heard the news!!!

On Friday, a U.S. District Judge granted Karl Jordan Jr. an acquittal on the murder charges handed down in Feb. 2024, citing an overall lack of evidence.

Tory Lanez revealed in his first interview from prison last week that he had new evidence favorable to his appeal after his conviction for shooting Megan The Stallion, and it turns out, the rapper wasn't BS-ing, and he's now going after the former Los Angeles D.A. ... TMZ has learned.

Here's the deal ... Tory's team submitted an official report to the court with testimony from a software expert who reviewed Megan's medical records after Meg was shot by Tory that fateful night in 2020.

After the review, the expert signed the report claiming there were 60 fraudulent errors in the medical findings presented at Tory's 2022 trial by then-L.A. County District Attorney, George Gascon. As you know, Tory was convicted of shooting Megan and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Tory, though, has always maintained his innocence.

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss is defending her decision to kill a "60 Minutes" segment hours before its scheduled air time Sunday night ... the report focused on the treatment of Venezuelan deportees from the United States to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison.

The long-running news program was set to run the segment Sunday night, but pulled it hours before airing, and promos online were scrubbed. On an editorial call on Monday, Weiss said the segment "was not ready" to air, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Weiss added the show's producers needed to get on-the-record statements from the the White House, the Dept. of Homeland Security and the State Dept. for it to be ready to go on air. She said ... “While the story presented powerful testimony of torture at CECOT, it did not advance the ball."

"60 Minutes" Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reported the completed segment, and she blasted Weiss' decision in an internal company email Sunday. Alfonsi noted the segment had undergone fact-checking and legal review, was determined to be factually accurate ... and she described Weiss' choice as "political."

She wrote in her memo the show's producers had requested comment from the Trump administration, which didn't respond to inquiries. Alfonsi said their refusal to comment had resulted in a de-facto “veto” of the story.

Chris Rea, who maintained a multi-decade career as a singer and songwriter, has died.

A spokesperson for the performer's family told BBC News he died Monday in a hospital after a "short illness." His family -- including his wife Joan and daughters Josephine and Julia -- was at his side when he died.

Rea was born in Middlesbrough, England, in 1951, one of seven children raised by an Irish mother and an Italian father who owned an ice cream factory and cafes.

He began his musical career at an early age, and he joined several bands before his first single, "So Much Love," debuted in 1974. He released his debut album, "Whatever Happened To Benny Santini?", four years later.

Rea's first major hit, "Fool (If You Think It’s Over)," was released the same year, and it ended up reaching the number 12 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Rea received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist the following year.

Rea released several albums throughout the 1980s, and his most enduring hit, "Driving Home for Christmas," debuted in 1986.

The musician was also a noted fan of motorsports and took part in the 1993 British Touring Car Championship, reports The Guardian.

Rea was 74 years old.

J.D. Vance has dealt with lots of harsh comments regarding his relationship with his wife Usha in the past, and he's got two words for the people saying them -- "Eat s***."

In an interview with UnHerd, the Vice President said his directive applies to "anyone who attacks my wife" ... and specifically name-dropped Nick Fuentes and Jen Psaki, both of whom have spoken about his marriage in the past.

FYI ... Fuentes previously referred to Vance as a "race traitor," reports The Hill, for marrying Usha, who was born to Indian immigrant parents.

Psaki shared her own views on Vance's marriage during an appearance on the "I've Had It" podcast in October, telling Usha to "blink four times" if she ever felt as if she was in distress.

Vance condemned all forms of racism within conservative politics in his interview with UnHerd, and described racism as "disgusting."

He said his stance on critics of his marriage is his "official policy" as the country's second-in-command ... no budging there.

Like it or not, the Christmas magic really does come for us all ... including rockers like Marilyn Manson!

We caught up with the singer while he was heading through LAX and asked for his opinions about the holiday season ... turns out he likes Christmas just as much as the next guy!

12:56 PM PT -- At least 16 files originally included in the Justice Department’s Epstein Files drop have gone MIA, according to AP. This reportedly includes pictures that show a painting depicting nude women and a photograph of Trump.

Internet sleuths caught on to the allegedly vanished pic of Trump earlier Saturday, and the White House has not yet returned our request for comment.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are questioning Attorney General Pam Bondi after they say a photo of Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein has been removed from the DOJ's recently released Epstein Files.

Here's the deal ... the Department of Justice released more photos to the "Epstein Library" -- though internet sleuths were quick to point out a numbering irregularity in the file.

The file jumps from "EFTA00000467” to “EFTA00000469" ... and, House Oversight Dems took to X to claim “EFTA00000468" was removed -- sharing the alleged photo which, they point out, seemingly has a picture of President Trump in it.

There are plenty of familiar faces in the newly released Epstein Files drop ... including some big-name musicians and entertainers like Mick Jagger and comedian Chris Tucker.

Check out our gallery -- you'll see The Rolling Stones frontman dining with Jeffrey Epstein, Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell at a circular table full of small dishes and drinks. The group appears to be in great spirits as they chat and laugh amongst themselves. Mick also stands up to pose with the former president, as well as a woman whose face was redacted.

And then there's the intriguing snap of magician and illusionist David Copperfield hugging Maxwell as they're both wearing white robes ... and showing off some candy in another.

The convicted pedo's former girlfriend and associate is also seen smiling next to comedian Chris Tucker in front of the window of a plane in a pic included in the drop. Chris sits next to someone who appears to be Clinton at a dinner in an additional photo.

LAPD searched the hotel room where Nick Reiner checked in around the time his parents were murdered, and TMZ has been told the police did not have a search warrant.

Harvey explains during the latest episode of the "2 Angry Men" podcast what happened at around 1 AM Monday ... when an LAPD detective showed up at the Pierside Santa Monica hotel.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the detective told the front desk clerk he was looking for a guest named Nick Reiner. The detective told the clerk he was there for a "welfare check." But he also told the clerk he was concerned Reiner "disposed of a weapon and used the room to clean and dispose of evidence in a violent crime."

Luigi Mangione says he now knows the real reason why Attorney General Pam Bondi is seeking the death penalty against him ... she allegedly has deep ties to the murder victim's health care company.

Mangione's defense attorneys filed court docs Friday night outlining their new claims against Bondi to get the death penalty tossed from the federal case. Federal prosecutors charged Mangione with stalking and murder through use of firearm in connection with the 2024 fatal shooting of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson.

Bondi then issued a statement directing prosecutors to seek the death penalty. State prosecutors have also charged Mangione with murder and possession of a weapon in a separate case.

In the latest defense filing, Luigi's lawyers claim Bondi was a partner at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners before she became attorney general, and the company lists UnitedHealth Group (UHG) as a client.

As a result, Bondi derives and continues to receive personal and financial benefits from Ballard "in the form of a profit-sharing plan from Ballard's professional association with UHG," according to the court docs.

Days after Isaiah Rider said he was prepared to go to court to deal with a protective order put in place by his wife … TMZ Sports has learned the former NBA hooper was arrested for failure to appear at his court date.

According to court documents we obtained, Isaiah was not present at the hearing earlier this week to determine whether the order should remain in effect. The docs say his wife, Vanessa, did attend the hearing ... and the judge signed off on keeping the order in place.

Law enforcement in Arizona says the no-show landed the former NBA star in cuffs, telling us, "An individual named Isaiah Rider was arrested earlier today on a warrant for failing to appear at a court hearing on December 15."

"He was booked and processed at the Gilbert-Chandler Unified Holding Facility."

Isaiah's attorney, Benjamin Taylor, told us his client is not going to comment further on the matter ... but the former Laker previously told us he believes his ex is only going through with the protective order because he is moving forward with their divorce.

Walter Cronkite, who was once regarded as "the most trusted man in America" when he was anchoring the evening news on CBS, is pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in new photos released by the feds.

The photos show the legendary newsman -- who anchored such historical events as the JFK assassination and moon landing -- sitting in a room with Epstein and an unidentified man. Walter is leaning forward in an armchair, talking with Epstein and the other guy, who is seated on a couch.

In between the men is a tray of food and drink and a bunch of magazines spread out across some ottomans.

There is nothing risqué or questionable going on ... and no one else is in the photos.

Ryan Lochte's fans have been gaining more than a few insights into his personal life lately ... and the former Olympian gave them plenty more when he shared a lengthy message on his Instagram account on Thursday.

FYI ... Ryan shared a post earlier this month and opened up about his rocky relationship with his estranged wife Kayla, and he said he ended up being kicked out of their home. She subsequently responded by sharing a video from their wedding day in 2018, which showed him reciting his vows, on her Instagram account.

It's worth mentioning Ryan and Kayla welcomed a son, Caiden, and a pair of daughters named Liv and Georgia over the course of their relationship. Kayla filed for divorce this past March.

Bombshells will likely be cropping up for days after a massive dump of Epstein Files began to be released Friday ... and now we have some high-profile names never-before associated with the disgraced financier.

In a new pic released by the U.S. Department of Justice ... Michael Jackson and Diana Ross are pictured on a plane with Bill Clinton and another person whose face is redacted.

It's not known whose plane they were on or where they were going.

While Diana and Bill flash smiles, Michael stares blankly with Bill's hand draped over the King Of Pop's shoulder.

Jeffrey Epstein framed nude photos of Ghislaine Maxwell and other women and displayed them inside his Palm Beach home ... and you see his overly-sexual interior decorating on full display, and new video from inside his pedophile lair.

The video is part of the Epstein Files release, and the grainy, old school footage is a tour through his Florida home ... it's like "MTV Cribs" but with a convicted pedophile.

Epstein's got a framed photo of Ghislaine on a beach, plus other nudes of some females who look like models. There's even a miniature replica of his plane, the Lolita Express.

Strangely, there appears to be a dental chair and equipment in one of the rooms ... similar to what we saw on his private island.

Never-before-seen photos show late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in his element ... snuggling up to a very young-looking female on a sofa.

The images are from the Epstein Files being released by the U.S. Department of Justice ... and there are several photos showing Epstein cozying up to an unidentified female on a couch ... it's unclear if she's underage.

Epstein has his arms around her, and they are horizontal, side by side on a couch ... wearing clothes. Her face has been redacted to protect her identity, indicating the government considers her a victim.