Month: June 2022

Kim Kardashian Petitions For The Release Of Jailed Father Of Uvalde School Shooting Victim

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Her romance with Pete Davidson and divorce from Kanye West has been the focus of Kim Kardashian news lately, but the reality star mogul-turned hopeful attorney has continued to work on her criminal justice efforts. Kardashian and her team have been instrumental in aiding in the release of several people serving out sentences that she and others deemed to be unfair or unjust.

In the wake of the Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas—and the controversy that has unraveled—Kardashian has shifted her attention to campaigning on behalf of a jailed father whose child was killed in the tragedy.

On Twitter, Kardashian shared a photo and wrote: “This is Eliahana ‘Ellie’ Cruz Torres, 10 years old, and one of the 19 victims of the shooting in Uvalde, TX. Her family are desperately hoping that her father, who is incarcerated for a non violent drug offense, be granted temporary release so that he can attend her funeral.”

The girl’s father was reportedly sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking.

“So far their requests have been denied. I ask the @officialFBOP to grant Eli Torres temporary release so that he can say his last goodbye to his baby girl. Every parent deserves that right.” This topic has been debated, but you can weigh in after checking out a few responses from Kardashian’s comment section below.

Uvalde School Shooting
Michael M. Santiago / Staff / Getty Images

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Young Thug Denied Bond in RICO Case

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Young Thug has been denied bond again in his RICO case.

The Atlanta rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was in court for a bond hearing on Thursday (June 2) where a judge decided not to release him from jail following his arrest last month in a 56-count indictment. Thug, who is accused of being the leader of the alleged YSL gang, was charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity.

Fulton County Superior Court judge Ural D. Glanville said his decision was based on statements from prosecutors claiming Thug is a danger to the community and could intimidate other witnesses, citing a group chat from 2015 that threatened retaliation if anybody “tells the God honest truth” in court.

“There have been significant proffers about Mr. Williams being a danger to the community,” said the judge. “In particular, the state’s proffer that they have taken proffers from other gang members and people who are in this particular indictment and that are not in this indictment, that he is the leader of the gang, he is dangerous, and if he crosses them, he will kill them or their families.”

“The two things that the court has significant concerns about is him being a danger to the community and flight,” he continued. “For those reasons in the aggregate, I’m going to deny bond at this time.”

Thug appeared in court via video feed and spoke once during the hearing, asking if he could use the restroom. “I’ve been holding it for a long time,” he told the judge, who agreed to take a five-minute recess.

During Thursday’s hearing, Kevin Liles also took the stand to speak in support of his longtime friend and business partner. The veteran music executive and Thug started Young Stoner Life Records together.

“I’ve been a fan for 12 years,” Liles said when asked how long he has known Thug. “I’ve gotten to know him personally over the last 10 years.”

He grew emotional while vouching for Thug’s character and reputation. “I’m kind of emotional because of how good this guy is,” said Liles. “I’ve been in this music thing called hip-hop for 38 years and for the life of me, I don’t understand why I have to testify of the good that hip-hop has done around the world.”

Machine Gun Kelly was among those who also shared messages in support of Thug at the bond hearing. Thug will remain in jail until his trial begins in January 2023.

Last month, a judge denied bond for Gunna. The YSL rappers are among 28 alleged gang members named in the Fulton County district attorney’s indictment, which includes charges ranging from drug and gun possession to murder.

Kyle Is Offering Music Royalty Shares From His First MFT Album ‘It’s Not So Bad’

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Kyle Drive In 2020
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Kyle found a unique way to revitalize his January album It’s Not So Bad this week, turning the album to an MFT (Music Fungible Token) in collaboration with Opulous. According to WeFunder, this marks one of the first times future master recordings for an entire album are tokenized into MFTs. Because It’s Not So Bad is nearly five months old, those who purchase MFTs will immediately begin earning a portion of the album’s royalty revenue.

Opulous has previously worked with artists such as Lil Pump, Soulja Boy, and Ardz Ardz. Kyle had this to say about the venture: “I wanted to release a whole MFT album with Opulous so that my fans and I can get closer to a model of becoming successful as a unit, redefining success together. Sharing this experience with fans and maybe even friends and family is a valuable thing. I don’t think anything will be able to match the feeling as we cross the finish line together.”

The 12-track album It’s Not So Bad featured Craig David, Ivory Scott, Dougie F, and Beam. Kyle and Opulous are offering multiple tiers including different perks such as meeting Kyle in person or at one of his concerts. Purchase your MFTs for It’s Not So Bad here.

Young Thug Was Denied Bond After A Judge Expressed A ‘Concern’ About Him Being A Danger To The Community

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young thug ukraine
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Next week will mark one month since Young Thug, Gunna, and 26 other members of the Young Stoner Life (YSL) record label were hit with numerous charges as a part of a 56-count Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) case. The charges against the YSL members include conspiring to violate the RICO Act, murder, armed robbery, and participation in criminal street gang activity. Gunna, who is only charged with conspiring to violate RICO, was recently denied bond in the case and his next court date was set for January 9, 2023.

According to Billboard‘s Jewel Wicker, Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, was also denied bond during a hearing on Thursday and it comes just a week after Gunna had his own denied. “I realize that Mr. Williams is presumed innocent,” Judge Ural Glanville said during the hearing at Fulton County Superior Court. “However, in this particular circumstance there have been significant [claims] about Mr. Williams being a danger to the community.” Thug’s attorney Brain Steel offered the option of an “incredibly expensive” house arrest to reduce those fears, but prosecutor Don Geary said the rapper should not be able to “buy” his way out of jail.

Ultimately, Judge Glanville sided with the prosecution and denied bond for Thug. His next court date will be on January 9, 2023.

You can listen to Judge Glanville’s ruling in the video above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Young Thug Denied Bond, Prosecutors Call Him “One Of The Most Dangerous Men Here”: Report

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Despite an emotional plea made by Kevin Liles on the witness stand, Young Thug will remain behind bars. Just hours ago, we reported on 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles defending Thugger’s character during the rapper’s court hearing. Thug and 27 others, including Gunna, were named in a RICO indictment that alleges YSL is a criminal street gang that has participated in theft, murder, and other illegal activities. Prosecutors also accused Thug of being behind YFN Lucci’s jail stabbing and alleged that he is connected to the shooting of Lil Wayne’s tour bus.

“This whole thing that people are talking about, that’s not him. The Jeffrey I know? The Jeffrey I know would give me the clothes off of his back. The Jeffrey I know? I can give him my kids, he could give me his kids. That’s the Jeffrey I know,” said Liles. He also condemned the use of lyrics as evidence. 

Young Thug
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Staff / Getty Images

Despite those “Free Gunna” and “Free Young Thug” campaigns, it has been reported that Thugger has been denied bond. Judge Ural Glanville reportedly believed that Thug poses a threat and should remain incarcerated. He has been accused of being a ringleader of sorts with prosecutors stating that he is “King Slime” and one of “the most dangerous men here.”

Rappers have been keenly paying attention to this case for good measure, especially considering lyrics are set to be a key component. The Game interjected his thoughts in The Shade Room‘s comment section, calling the prosecutors’ remarks “some sucka sh*t.”

Check it out below.

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Tulsa Hospital Shooting Suspect Michael Louis Left Behind Suicide Note: Report

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There was yet another mass shooting in the United States this week and reports are offering new insight into the suspect’s motive. As America has been covering the tragedies that took place in both Buffalo, New York at Tops Market and Uvalde, Texas at Robb Elementary School, reports of a shooter at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma surfaced. Initial reports stated that there were three victims during that incident but it was later increased to four. The suspect, now revealed to be a man named Michael Louis, also died during the attack by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The victims’ names have been shared: Dr. Preston Philips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, Amanda Glenn, and William Love.

St. Francis Hospital Shooting
J Pat Carter / Stringer / Getty Images

Two victims were doctors, one victim was a receptionist, and the last was a patient in the hospital. The shooting took place at the Natalie Building within the medical clinic, and a motive has also been shared with the public. According to the authorities, Louis recently had back surgery and was in pain, and he blamed Dr. Phillips, who performed the operation, for his condition. Louis was released from the hospital on May 24 and in the following days, he was said to have repeatedly called the hospital asking for more treatment.

The AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting had reportedly been legally purchased hours prior to the attack, and Louis, who was also armed with several other firearms, reportedly penned a letter detailing his mindset. During a press conference, Police Chief Wendell Franklin reportedly stated that Louis “made it clear that he came in with the intent to kill Dr. Phillips and anyone who got in his way.”

There were others injured during the fray, but the authorities have not given an exact number.

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DENIED: YSL’s Young Thug Bond Request Is Rejected In Spite of Stellar Character Witnesses And Deft Legal Defense

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Judge Glanville, Young Thug Judge

Early this afternoon, Young Thug had his bond hearing before a judge at the Fulton County court. The question of his bond was discussed at length with testimony from a stellar lineup of witnesses including music executive Kevin Liles, a 15-year-old motivational speaker, and community activists who all vouched for the embattled rapper’s release. In spite […]

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