Today in TMZ History

"NCIS" actor David Fisher won't go to jail after allegedly choking his neighbor -- because he just struck a plea deal with prosecutors ... in which the battery charge against him was totally dropped.

In exchange for dropping the choking charge, Fisher pled "no contest" to a much more minor disturbing the peace charge ... and was sentenced to pay a $50 fine, which the judge wrote off.

TMZ broke the story ... Fisher was arrested back in September after an argument with his neighbor turned violent -- with Fisher allegedly trying to cut off the guy's oxygen supply.

Fisher tells us, "I was set on by a bully who asked for trouble and lost his fight. He then goes running to the teacher and spins his lies. This is the case."

He adds, "I have not punched someone since I was at school. That was 27 years ago. This seems to be an instant karmic justice for a bully."

Lindsay Lohan's highly classified Playboy photo shoot leaked to the Internet this morning -- one week before the issues was set to hit newsstands -- and TMZ has learned Playboy honchos are "freaking out."

First off -- the pics aren't bad ... it's a Marilyn Monroe thing ... and it works.

Playboy sources tell us ... there are fears the leak could significantly damage sales of the magazine ... which is expected to be the best seller of the year.

The shoot was a massive investment for Playboy -- the mag shelled out nearly $1 million to Lohan for the spread and we're told the company has printed thousands of extra copies in anticipation of a sales boom.

Jerry Sandusky's wife helped the former Penn State coach post his $250,000 bail this morning -- one day after Jerry was arrested for allegedly raping two additional young boys ... this according to court records.

The records show Sandusky's wife forked over a $50k personal check ... in addition to Jerry using $200,000 in real estate holdings to post the bail.

The court ruled that Sandusky will be confined to his home ... and he is not allowed to have any contact with any witnesses or victims related to the child sex abuse case.

10:24 AM PST -- Sandusky has been released from custody.

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was just sentenced to 14 years in federal prison on corruption charges.

Blago was convicted back in June after a jury found him guilty of 17 separate felonies -- including bribery and extortion -- for trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

Blago apologized today during his sentencing hearing -- claiming, "I've had plenty of time to reflect on all that's happened ... I'm here convicted of crimes and I am accepting of it, acknowledge it."

Blago added, "I am of course unbelievably sorry."

He has 90 days to turn himself in.

Alec Baldwin claims an American Airlines flight attendant WENT BALLISTIC on him on a plane at LAX moments ago ... all because he was playing "Words with Friends" while the aircraft was still at the gate.

Baldwin just tweeted about the situation ... saying, "Flight attendant on American reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W FRIENDS while we sat at the gate, not moving. #nowonderamericaairisbankrupt."

It's unclear if Baldwin was removed from the plane or left voluntarily -- but he DID get off the plane and was moved to another flight.

FYI -- "Words with Friends" is basically Scrabble for your smart phone ... and it's SUPER addicting.

Alec just tweeted again, claiming he has just boarded a 3pm flight on American -- adding, "The flight attendants already look.....smarter."

Khloe Kardashian is being sued by a transgender woman who claims Khloe beat the crap out of her outside a Hollywood nightclub.

Chantal Spears -- also know as Ronald Spears -- claims on December 5, 2009, Khloe violently struck her "in and about her body," causing serious injuries.

TMZ broke the story ... the incident occurred outside Playhouse nightclub on Hollywood Blvd., after Chantal/Ronald allegedly walked up to Lamar and told him he was "too young to be married."

Chantal/Ronald told cops at the time, Khloe "pushed and hit me." No one was arrested or cited.

Chantal/Ronald says in her lawsuit she did not provoke anyone.

She's asking for unspecified damages.

No comment so far from Khloe.

Judge Michael Pastor threw the book at Dr. Conrad Murray, sentencing him to 4 YEARS IN PRISON. But Murray will not spend a single day in prison because of a new California law. He'll serve his time in L.A. County Jail. And in jail, at most Murray will only serve half the sentence.

The judge was angry, talking repeatedly about Dr. Murray's documentary in which he laid the blame at Michael Jackson's doorstep. The documentary clearly weighed in the judge's decision to give Murray the max.

As for restitution, Judge Pastor ordered Dr. Murray to pay "appropriate restitution" to the Estate and to MJ's kids at a later date ... but the judge seemed dubious about the $100 million request by the prosecution.

Judge Pastor ruled Murray must pay an $800 fine, a $30 court security fee, and a $40 criminal conviction assessment.

Judge Pastor said, "There are those who feel Dr. Murray is a saint. There are those who feel he's the devil. He is neither. He's a human being."

Cops were called to Samantha Ronson's house Monday night after someone broke into her garage.

We're told the 911 call came in just before 7 PM. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the burglars didn't make it inside Sam's house.

It's unclear what -- if anything -- was taken.

As you probably know, Sam lives right next to Lindsay in Venice, CA.

UPDATE: Law enforcement sources tell us ... one item was taken from Sam's garage, worth about $1,000.

"NCIS" actor David Fisher insists .. he isn't some ruthless neighbor-choking bully -- and has officially pled "not guilty" in his battery case.

TMZ broke the story ... Fisher was arrested back in September after an argument with his neighbor turned violent -- with Fisher allegedly attempting to asphyxiate the guy.

Fisher claims he only got physical in self-defense, after his neighbor insulted the actor's dead mother -- but law enforcement didn't buy it ... charging Fisher with simple battery weeks after the incident.

Fisher pled "not guilty" to the misdemeanor charge soon after, and is due back in court next month. Calls to Fisher have not been returned.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death early Monday morning in the Netherlands ... and cops say his own brother has been arrested as a suspect.

Cops were called to an apartment in the city of Rotterdam early this morning where they discovered 24-year-old Halman bleeding from a stab wound. Officers were unable to revive him.

Cops later arrested Halman's 22-year-old brother in connection with the murder.

Halman has played sparingly for the Mariners, appearing in 44 games over the past two seasons.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Greg and his brother had been living together at the apartment -- and a woman was staying with Greg at the time of the murder.

Cops say the woman was the person who called authorities and identified Greg's brother as the murderer.

9:54 AM: The Mariners just released a statement -- claiming, “The Mariners family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Greg Halman ... Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s family.”

The sexiest DUI arrestee of all time just pled "no contest" in her drunk driving case -- and the judge took no pity ... sentencing her to a grand total of 10 extremely boring AA classes.

Suelyn Medeiros was also sentenced to a 3-month alcohol program and put on 3 years summary probation.

Medeiros also has to pay $1,918 in court fines and fees -- which feels unfair ... considering she has already given the world so, so much.

Katt Williams has lost custody of one of his children ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... Crystal McGhee just won custody of their 8-year-old adopted daughter, Leanne. It's unclear if Katt and Crystal ever married.

What is clear ... the judge awarded sole legal and physical custody to Crystal. The judge gave Katt visitation rights -- alternate weekends.

The judge also awarded Crystal visitation with 2 of Leanne's siblings. It's unclear if Katt has custody of Leanne's siblings but we do know he has 7 adopted kids.

No comment from Katt.

5:12 PM: An associate of Heavy D's just told us the rapper had pneumonia.

4:28 PM: Law enforcement tell TMZ ... Heavy D had just returned from shopping and walked up some stairs when he began having trouble breathing. Adam Mills, a designer who was in the building and knew Heavy D, found him leaning against a railing and clearly in distress. Adam tells us he cradled Heavy D in his lap as others called 911. Adam says Heavy D was conscious and said to him, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe." When paramedics took Heavy D to the hospital he had a pulse. People in the building are saying he died of a heart attack, but we have not been able to confirm that. Law enforcement sources tell us ... no foul play was involved and so far they only know the cause of death was "medical."

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Rap legend Heavy D -- one of the most influential rappers of the '90s -- died earlier today ... TMZ has learned.

Heavy D -- real name Dwight Arrington Myers -- was rushed to an L.A. hospital around noon today ... and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1 PM. He was 44 years old.

We've learned a 911 call was placed from Heavy's Beverly Hills home around 11:25 AM to report an unconscious male on the walkway .

When help arrived, we're told Heavy D was conscious and speaking -- and was transported to a nearby hospital.

He died a short time later.

Cops are investigating the death -- and so far, there are no obvious signs of foul play. Police are currently at the home.

Heavy D had several massive hits -- including "Now That We Found Love." He also wrote and performed the theme song for "In Living Color" ... and appeared as an actor in the movie "Life."

Heavy just performed at the Michael Jackson Tribute Concert in Wales on October 8. He sang "Jam" with La Toya Jackson -- and rocked it (video below).

Eddie F -- one of the founding members of Heavy D & the Boyz -- issued a heartfelt statement about his longtime friend ... saying, "We were only young kids out of high school when we got into the game just wanting to make fun music filled with love and excitement."

"We always had so much fun as a group. I cherish all the happy times we had together while unknowingly helping to build the movement and legacy we call Uptown Records" ... adding, "I love you Hev and we all will miss you so much."

Dr. Conrad Murray has been found GUILTY of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

After the verdict was read, you can hear La Toya Jackson and Kathy Hilton cry.

Jurors came back with the verdict moments ago after a grueling 6-week trial, finding prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt ... Dr. Murray is responsible for MJ's death.

Murray faces up to 4 years behind bars, but the reality is ... he will not go to state prison because of a new law, and will likely serve his time in L.A. County Jail.

Murray is scheduled for sentencing on November 29th.

Cory Smoot -- a founding member of the legendary speed metal band GWAR -- was found dead today while the band was traveling on its current tour.

Cory played guitar and was best known by his stage name, Flattus Maximus. He was found dead as the band was traveling from Minneapolis to Edmonton, Canada for an upcoming show according to a rep for the band.

GWAR lead singer David Brockie says in a statement, "There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred."

Among GWAR's biggest fans back in the 90's ... Beavis and Butt-head.

News outlets across the world are reporting ... THIS photo shows a bloody, dying Moammar Gadhafi ... moments after he was captured in Libya early this morning.

Libyan officials have confirmed ... Gadhafi was shot to death when rebels pulled him out of a storm drain near his home town early this morning.

7:30 AM PST: Rebel fighters shot video of Gadhafi's dead body -- moments after he was killed
** WARNING it's very graphic **