paragraph
stringlengths 101
4.6k
| questions
list | answers
list | questions_answers
stringlengths 40
2.61k
|
|---|---|---|---|
London, England (CNN) -- They don't call it being "sent to Siberia" for nothing.
We learned this on the first day of our trip to Novokuznetsk, in the western part of this 5.1 million square-mile region of Russia, while filming a documentary about how and why the youth of this economically depressed city were in the death grip of a heroin epidemic.
It's a story squarely at odds with the rebranding of Russian youth as prosperous super humans living in a world of money, success and freedom. In reality, Russia now consumes 21 percent of the world's heroin. And with a southern border more than 4,000 miles long, an area greater than the distance from New York to London, it's little wonder that Moscow's attempts at interdiction have largely failed.
A sense of Soviet-era poverty pervades in Novokuznetsk: the moldering grey housing blocks, the wake-up call of barking wild dogs, the 6 a.m. hotel breakfasts of Spam and hard-fried eggs speckled with dill. But we weren't here for fun. No one has much fun here.
Before we set off on our trip, we heard whispers of a new drug called krokodil -- a synthetic opiate made by mixing petrol, codeine pills, and eye drops -- that earned its reptilian nickname by turning users' skin scaly, eating them from the inside, and rotting the brain and limbs, before precipitating a painful death.
When researching the krokodil story, we heard grim tales of zombified addicts building DIY coffins to bury their friends, disfigured and brain-damaged ex-users, and religious cults disguised as rehab clinics. During a weeklong trip to Novokuznetsk, we found all of this -- and more.
|
[
"What drugs are in Novokuznetsk?",
"What kind of effect does krokodil have on users?",
"what russian city is the death grip",
"What drug is gaining popularity in Novokuznetsk?",
"What country is Novokuznetsk in?"
] |
[
"heroin",
"skin scaly, eating them from the inside, and rotting the brain and limbs, before precipitating a painful death.",
"Novokuznetsk,",
"krokodil",
"Russia,"
] |
question: What drugs are in Novokuznetsk?, answer: heroin | question: What kind of effect does krokodil have on users?, answer: skin scaly, eating them from the inside, and rotting the brain and limbs, before precipitating a painful death. | question: what russian city is the death grip, answer: Novokuznetsk, | question: What drug is gaining popularity in Novokuznetsk?, answer: krokodil | question: What country is Novokuznetsk in?, answer: Russia,
|
London, England (CNN) -- Tiger Woods' marital "transgressions" may have cast doubt on the future of his corporate associations, but history shows that a dose of bad publicity does not always mean an end to the earning power of sport stars.
The world's No. 1 golfer has not been seen in advertisements on American television since November 29 according to media research company Nielsen, with the blackout starting just two days after he crashed his car outside his house -- reportedly following an argument with his wife.
But Nigel Currie, director of international sponsorship agency BrandRapport, believes that although Woods faces an uncertain corporate future, his marketability will remain if he thinks creatively.
"It all depends on how long the story will stay on the front page. A story like this makes sponsors very nervous because they don't know if there's more to come," he told CNN.
"Most companies will have a morality clause as part of the contract with a big name like Woods. This is usually enforced because of drugs [or criminal issues], but in a situation like this which is ongoing, there's a good chance these companies will exercise their rights and jump ship."
However, while Woods --, the first sportsman to earn $1 billion -- might possibly lose some sponsors, other revenue streams could be exploited, according to Currie. Will Tiger Woods return to golf the same?
"This chink in his armor won't impact his earning capacity, but companies and brands will think differently in the future. It will open up new offers and close a few doors too," he said.
While golf is traditionally a very conservative sport which attracts like minded backers, it is still possible to bring in sponsors even in cases as extreme as John Daly -- whose drinking, smoking and eating problems put his career at risk.
Daly's less than wholesome image paid dividends in 2005 when the American teamed up with restaurant chain Hooters, known for its scantily-clad waitresses, in what seemed a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Hooters vice-president Mike McNeil said in a statement on Daly's Web site: "John is unique, successful and a man of the people who doesn't really worry too much about what the establishment thinks. In fact he's a lot like Hooters."
But the appeal of Daly's carefree attitude also proved to be his downfall when, in November 2008, the golfer was found drunk and face down in a flower bed outside a Hooters restaurant. Earlier this year, Hooters quietly relinquished their contract with the colorful, larger-than-life character.
Another player who has successfully surfed the wave of marketing and endorsement despite a checkered personal life is European golfing legend Nick Faldo.
Despite two divorces and a number of well-documented affairs -- including a three-year liaison with 20-year-old Brenna Cepelak which ended famously with the American student battering Faldo's Porsche with a golf club -- sponsorship has never eluded the golfer.
Faldo also went on to cement his position among the game's elite when he captained the European Ryder Cup team in 2008.
Time will tell if Tiger Woods' self-confessed "personal failings" will impact on his career, but his world-beating marketability may have to undergo some change.
|
[
"who did major sponsors distance themselves from?",
"what will tiger's transgressions do?",
"Who had a recent scandal?",
"Who have distanced themselves from Woods?",
"Who have distanced themselves from Tiger Woods after his recent scandal?"
] |
[
"Tiger Woods'",
"cast doubt on the future of",
"Tiger Woods'",
"sponsors",
"sponsors"
] |
question: who did major sponsors distance themselves from?, answer: Tiger Woods' | question: what will tiger's transgressions do?, answer: cast doubt on the future of | question: Who had a recent scandal?, answer: Tiger Woods' | question: Who have distanced themselves from Woods?, answer: sponsors | question: Who have distanced themselves from Tiger Woods after his recent scandal?, answer: sponsors
|
London, England (CNN) -- UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown described himself as a "penitent sinner" on Wednesday after personally apologizing to a voter he described as a "bigoted woman."
Brown visited the home of Gillian Duffy in Rochdale, northwestern England, after he was caught on microphone describing in blunt terms his encounter with the 65-year-old widow whom he met on the election campaign trail.
The Labour party leader had had a discussion with Duffy about the size of Britain's national debt, tax and immigration.
Brown then got into his car and was driven away but he was still wearing a radio microphone, allowing broadcasters to pick up his conversation with an aide.
"That was a disaster," Brown said about the encounter seconds earlier. "Should never have put me with that woman -- whose idea was that?" He added: "She was just a sort of bigoted woman."
Why Brown's gaffe could get worse
The woman, Gillian Duffy, told reporters she wanted an apology from Brown over his "very upsetting" comments.
Brown later visited Duffy at her home, emerging to tell reporters: "I am mortified by what has happened. I have given her my sincere apologies. I misunderstood what she said. She has accepted that there was a misunderstanding and she has accepted my apology.
"If you like, I am a penitent sinner."
The encounter was immediately seized on by users of social networking sites, with opinions polarized between those who said it would damage Labour in the May 6 general election and those who believed it could help the party, currently trailing the opposition Conservatives in opinion polls.
One Twitter user, Thermalsocks, said: "Gordon Brown has created a total survailance society. Glad to see he got caught out, now he knows how we all feel."
Another user, urbantaoist85, said: "Anyone else up for making all politicians wear a microphone at all times?" Ririnyan added: "I wonder if that was the final nail in the coffin for Labour this time." Andy_Francis said: "I think GB has just kissed goodbye to any chances Labour had left."
However CupCate wrote: "I'd be more concerned if Brown had said, "What that brilliant woman said about all those damn immigrants, too right!"
After his public apology, Brown telephoned Duffy to apologize personally. The prime minister's spokesman said: "Gordon has apologized to Mrs. Duffy personally by phone. He does not think that she is bigoted.
"He was letting off steam in the car after a difficult conversation. But this is exactly the sort of conversation that is important in an election campaign and which he will continue to have with voters."
Asked about Brown's comments, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, who has surged in the opinion polls following his appearance in the televised election debates with the other two leaders, told the Press Association: "You should always try to answer the questions as best you can."
He added: "He has been recorded saying what he has said and will have to answer for that."
But one Twitter user, SusanCalman, spoke for many when she said: "I feel sorry for Gordon Brown. If people I've met knew half the things I'd said about them when I left I would be stabbed and left for dead."
|
[
"Who called himself a penitent sinner?",
"Who visited Gillian Duffy?",
"Who did the labour party leader have a discussion with?",
"What did he forget to remove?",
"Who is the UK PM?",
"Who is the labour party leader?",
"What did Brown call himself?",
"What did Brown describe women who spoke to him as?",
"Who described woman who spoke to him as bigoted?"
] |
[
"Prime Minister Gordon Brown",
"UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown",
"Gillian Duffy",
"radio microphone,",
"Gordon Brown",
"UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown",
"\"penitent sinner\"",
"bigoted",
"UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown"
] |
question: Who called himself a penitent sinner?, answer: Prime Minister Gordon Brown | question: Who visited Gillian Duffy?, answer: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown | question: Who did the labour party leader have a discussion with?, answer: Gillian Duffy | question: What did he forget to remove?, answer: radio microphone, | question: Who is the UK PM?, answer: Gordon Brown | question: Who is the labour party leader?, answer: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown | question: What did Brown call himself?, answer: "penitent sinner" | question: What did Brown describe women who spoke to him as?, answer: bigoted | question: Who described woman who spoke to him as bigoted?, answer: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown
|
London, England (CNN) -- UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has ordered a full review of security measures at UK airports following the attempted Detroit plane bombing on December 25.
In a statement published Friday on the prime minister's official Web site, Brown said the UK government will be working with the U.S. to "examine a range of new techniques to enhance airport security systems beyond traditional measures, such as pat-down searches and sniffer dogs."
These new measures might include using "explosive trace technology, full body scanners and advanced x-ray technology."
Writing on the first day of a new decade, Brown issued a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by international terrorism.
"The new decade," he said, "is starting as the last began -- with al Qaeda creating a climate of fear. These enemies of democracy and freedom... are concealing explosives in ways which are more difficult to detect."
The Detroit incident highlighted an "urgent" need to tighten airport security measures, Brown said.
"The UK," Brown said, "will continually explore the most sophisticated devices capable of identifying explosives, guns, knives and other such items anywhere on the body."
The alleged plane bomber, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab is believed to have concealed explosives in his underwear.
The 23-year-old Nigerian is thought to have linked up with an al Qaeda group based in Yemen after attending the UK's University College London.
Brown said the plot was a reminder of al Qaeda's increasing influence away from "better-known homes of international terror such as Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Yemen is becoming "a major new base for terrorism" which highlighted the need for "enhanced cooperation" between nations in the fight against international terrorism, he said.
Brown added that the UK government is already supporting the government of Yemen's efforts to tackle terrorism and pledged further support.
"By 2011 our already announced commitment to Yemen will exceed £100 million ($160 million), making the UK one of its leading donors," he said.
It was also announced Friday that Brown had invited "key international partners" to a meeting in London at the end of January to discuss how to counter radicalization in Yemen.
"We have already updated our counter-terrorism strategy to include further measures to disrupt al Qaeda's leadership and frustrate its attempts to recruit, train and direct a new generation of terrorists or to find a new haven for those leaders displaced by the efforts of our Afghan and Pakistani allies."
The key to tackling terrorism was "vigilance" Brown said, but the Detroit incident was "a wake-up call...not just for security against terror but for the hearts and minds of a generation."
|
[
"What might new measures include ?",
"Which new measures will be included?",
"Which PM ordered a full review of security?",
"What did the Prime Minister ordered ?",
"What will the UK explore?",
"What will the UK explore, according to Brown ?"
] |
[
"using \"explosive trace technology, full body scanners and advanced x-ray technology.\"",
"\"explosive trace technology, full body scanners and advanced x-ray technology.\"",
"Gordon Brown",
"a full review of security measures",
"the most sophisticated devices capable of identifying explosives, guns, knives and other such items anywhere on the body.\"",
"the most sophisticated devices capable of identifying explosives, guns, knives and other such items anywhere"
] |
question: What might new measures include ?, answer: using "explosive trace technology, full body scanners and advanced x-ray technology." | question: Which new measures will be included?, answer: "explosive trace technology, full body scanners and advanced x-ray technology." | question: Which PM ordered a full review of security?, answer: Gordon Brown | question: What did the Prime Minister ordered ?, answer: a full review of security measures | question: What will the UK explore?, answer: the most sophisticated devices capable of identifying explosives, guns, knives and other such items anywhere on the body." | question: What will the UK explore, according to Brown ?, answer: the most sophisticated devices capable of identifying explosives, guns, knives and other such items anywhere
|
London, England (CNN) -- Union members representing British Airways cabin crew announced Friday they will hold two separate strikes this month in a dispute over working conditions.
The first strike will last three days from March 20, and the next will last four days from March 27, said Len McCluskey, the assistant general secretary of the Unite union.
There will be no strikes over the Easter period, he said. Further strikes could be called if needed, he said.
Will a British Airways strike impact you?
"Regrettably, management turned down a remarkable offer," McCluskey said.
British Airways, which lost hundreds of million dollars last year, responded by saying it is "extremely disappointed" with the union's decision. "We are very sorry for the stress and disruption Unite's decision will cause," the airline said in a statement.
"We are currently considering our response to this strike threat and what action we will need to take to minimize disruption."
The industrial action is over planned changes to cabin crew conditions, which BA says will save the carrier more than 60 million pounds ($91 million) a year.
Unite has said the plans call for working hours to be extended and crew levels to be cut, changes that it has said will damage customer service and the BA brand.
The two sides have been holding talks to avoid strikes. BA management submitted a formal offer to the union Thursday, Unite said, but added that the offer fails to address union concerns about crew numbers and service delivery.
That prompted Unite officials to announce the strike dates. There is still a chance the strikes could be averted.
Unite said union members will be able to vote on BA's offer on the first day of the planned strikes, and if they vote to approve it, the strikes will be canceled.
British Airways declined to share details of its offer with CNN. "Unite's action has no shred of justification," the airline said.
"British Airways' crew are rightly renowned for their professionalism and skills. Our entire package for crew recognizes that and is reasonable and fair."
BA said all union proposals so far would save the airline "significantly" less money than BA's own planned changes.
"In addition, Unite's plans would cut crew pay and allowances," BA said. "The reductions required to generate sufficient savings would leave each crew member between 1,000 and 2,700 pounds ($1,516 and $4,095) a year worse off. These proposals lack credibility, and Unite did not inform crew of them when it asked them to vote for a strike."
In December, a judge blocked a planned 12-day strike by Unite over the same issues that would have started just before Christmas.
|
[
"What does Unite say about BA plans?",
"What holiday won't have strikes?",
"How long will the first strike last?"
] |
[
"call for working hours to be extended and crew levels to be cut,",
"Easter",
"three days"
] |
question: What does Unite say about BA plans?, answer: call for working hours to be extended and crew levels to be cut, | question: What holiday won't have strikes?, answer: Easter | question: How long will the first strike last?, answer: three days
|
London, England (CNN) -- Union officials were going to court Thursday in London to try to stop British Airways from imposing contractual changes on its 14,000-member cabin crew.
The Unite union said it wants the High Court to issue an injunction against the British carrier to stop "unfair and unworkable" changes to cabin crew contracts.
It was unclear when the court would rule in the case.
Among the changes BA wants to impose is a reduction in the number of crew members on flights, Unite said. BA plans to impose the changes starting November 16, according to Unite.
Thursday's court action is separate from union plans to ballot its members about whether to strike over the Christmas holiday period, a Unite spokeswoman said.
Unite still plans to hold the strike ballot, possibly as early as next week, regardless of how the High Court rules, she said.
The contractual changes are part of the strike ballot, but other issues include jobs and pay, she said.
|
[
"What date will the changes start?",
"What are they imposing starting November 16?",
"BA wants to impose a reduction of what?",
"on what date the BA wants to impose the changes?",
"Who is union unite taking to court?",
"Who is taking British Airways to court?",
"What does BA want to impose?"
] |
[
"November 16,",
"contractual changes",
"number of crew members on flights,",
"November 16,",
"British",
"Union officials",
"contractual changes on its 14,000-member cabin crew."
] |
question: What date will the changes start?, answer: November 16, | question: What are they imposing starting November 16?, answer: contractual changes | question: BA wants to impose a reduction of what?, answer: number of crew members on flights, | question: on what date the BA wants to impose the changes?, answer: November 16, | question: Who is union unite taking to court?, answer: British | question: Who is taking British Airways to court?, answer: Union officials | question: What does BA want to impose?, answer: contractual changes on its 14,000-member cabin crew.
|
London, England -- He's no Wyclef Jean or George Clooney, but that hasn't stopped seven-year-old Charlie Simpson from raising more than £150,000 ($240,000) for the Haiti earthquake.
Simpson from Fulham, west London had hoped to raise just £500 for UNICEF's earthquake appeal by cycling eight kilometers (five miles)around a local park.
"My name is Charlie Simpson. I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives," said Simpson on his JustGiving page, a fundraising site which launched his efforts.
"I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti," he said.
Donate to Charlie Simpson's Haiti fundraising page
And with that simple call, messages of support flooded the site.
"Such a big heart for a young boy, you're a little star!" wrote one supporter. "Well done Charlie. A real celebrity," said another.
More donations began pouring in after the story caught the attention of the British media -- with many cheering Simpson past the £100,000 mark.
Even British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is spreading the message. His "Downing Street" Twitter alias said: "Amazed by response to the great fundraising efforts of 7 yr old Charlie Simpson for the people of Haiti."
David Bull, UNICEF's UK executive director described Simpson's efforts as "very bold and innovative."
"It shows he connects with and not only understands what children his own age must be going through in Haiti," Bull said in a press statement.
"The little seed -- his idea -- that he has planted has grown rapidly and his is a place well deserved in the humanitarian world.
"On behalf of the many children in Haiti, I thank Charlie for his effort."
Money raised by Simpson will go towards UNICEF's Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal which will provide water, sanitation, education, nutrition as well as support child protection.
|
[
"What amount of money has been raised?",
"How much has Charlie Simpson raised?",
"Whats the person called who raised the money?",
"What was the money raised for?",
"What will the funds provide?",
"Which organisation is Charlie raising money for?",
"How much did Charlie Simpson raise?",
"Which charity is the money going to?"
] |
[
"more than £150,000 ($240,000)",
"£150,000 ($240,000)",
"Charlie",
"Haiti earthquake.",
"water, sanitation, education, nutrition as well as support child protection.",
"UNICEF's earthquake appeal",
"£150,000",
"UNICEF's Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal"
] |
question: What amount of money has been raised?, answer: more than £150,000 ($240,000) | question: How much has Charlie Simpson raised?, answer: £150,000 ($240,000) | question: Whats the person called who raised the money?, answer: Charlie | question: What was the money raised for?, answer: Haiti earthquake. | question: What will the funds provide?, answer: water, sanitation, education, nutrition as well as support child protection. | question: Which organisation is Charlie raising money for?, answer: UNICEF's earthquake appeal | question: How much did Charlie Simpson raise?, answer: £150,000 | question: Which charity is the money going to?, answer: UNICEF's Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal
|
London, England -- Petra Nemcova is a former Victoria's Secret supermodel-turned-philanthropist.
Despite her riches, Nemcova, who grew up with few luxuries in communist Czechoslovakia, told CNN that her most important work is her charity, the Happy Hearts Fund.
The model set up the foundation after her near-death experience in the 2004 Asian tsunami. While Nemcova survived by clinging to a palm tree for eight hours, her long-term partner did not.
Here, Nemcova shows CNN around Prague and tells of her love for the "Golden City," what she learnt from growing up in a communist country and how she keeps smiling -- despite life's setbacks.
CNN: Tell us about the first time you came to Prague.
Petra Nemcova: The first time was to visit my aunt and even if Prague is in the same country as my town, it felt like a real journey. For us it was like going somewhere very special, far away, because under the Communist regime you didn't travel that much and Prague was "wow."
I was overwhelmed and amazed by the beauty of Prague and every time I arrive in Prague, even now, I'm still amazed. The lighting at night; the incredible architecture; the details; the history; there was a lot to learn about and a lot to discover. It was a very special experience.
The following time I went to Prague was during my early career in the fashion industry and I was traveling once, twice a week from my town to Prague. I would wake up at 5.45 in the morning, take the bus for one hour, then a tram to school. After school I would take a five-hour train to Prague. So it was quite intense at that time, but it was a great experience and it taught me a lot about being independent.
CNN: How would you describe Prague, in five words?
Petra Nemcova: Prague is a city of romance, of incredible architecture and history. Some people call it the "golden city," some people say it's the heart of Europe -- although maybe the French don't like that very much! Paris is bigger obviously and a bit more hectic and Prague is smaller and has more of a village-y feeling compared to Paris. Prague has more of a calming vibe. It's not rush-rush-rush.
I think when people come here they are surprised by the beauty of Prague and also the vivid colors. I think they may imagine Prague more in gray colors because of the communist association. But since then a lot of reconstruction has been done. Before Prague was shades of grey and black, which was quite mysterious, but now it's more happy and pretty.
In five words it's historical, inspirational, creative, romantic and beautiful.
CNN: What was your childhood like?
Petra Nemcova: Growing up in the Czech Republic -- at the time Czechoslovakia -- was a beautiful childhood because I didn't understand the whole concept of communism. I was only 11 when communism fell down and when the Velvet Revolution happened. I had a really beautiful childhood ... I didn't have the great luxury things, we had very little and we counted every penny. But our parents gave us something more valuable than money -- they gave us so much love and that's priceless.
We didn't get the opportunity to travel all over the world and were able to travel only within the communist countries. So we went around our country to see different castles, little towns and I loved it. So that made us richer. It also made us appreciate nature because we spent every weekend in nature. And the values you learn there are priceless too. You don't step on flowers, kick on mushrooms, you really respect nature.
And the value of appreciation came from not having anything and then having a little bit. Having a clementine for Christmas -- it was an incredible joy and every time I smell a clementine, it brings me back to my childhood.
But it was harder for my parents.
|
[
"Who shows CNN around her \"Golden City,\" Prague?",
"What did the supermodel show CNN around?",
"Who survived the 2004 tsunami?",
"What did Nemcova say?",
"What does Nemcova say about Prague?",
"What is Prague like?"
] |
[
"Petra Nemcova",
"Prague and tells of her love for the \"Golden City,\"",
"Petra Nemcova",
"her most important work is her charity, the Happy Hearts Fund.",
"is a city of romance, of incredible architecture and history.",
"city of romance, of incredible architecture and history."
] |
question: Who shows CNN around her "Golden City," Prague?, answer: Petra Nemcova | question: What did the supermodel show CNN around?, answer: Prague and tells of her love for the "Golden City," | question: Who survived the 2004 tsunami?, answer: Petra Nemcova | question: What did Nemcova say?, answer: her most important work is her charity, the Happy Hearts Fund. | question: What does Nemcova say about Prague?, answer: is a city of romance, of incredible architecture and history. | question: What is Prague like?, answer: city of romance, of incredible architecture and history.
|
Long Beach, California (CNN) -- Moments after marine explorer Sylvia Earle finished her passionate plea to preserve vast stretches of the world's oceans at last year's TED conference, a foundation executive walked up to her and pledged a million dollars for the cause.
It was one of nearly 400 offers of support Earle received after revealing the wish she wanted to be granted as a winner of the TED Prize, given by the nonprofit organization whose motto is "Ideas worth spreading." It grants the winners $100,000 and organizational support but the impact of the prize is typically magnified by the backing of the influential audience attending the conferences.
On Wednesday, British celebrity chef and nutrition advocate Jamie Oliver will reveal his wish as the winner of the 2010 prize. "Every year we're looking around for someone who can inspire the world to do something big and interesting," says Chris Anderson, who runs TED with the title of curator.
"The issue of obesity, both in the US and worldwide, is a big deal, a shocking problem in a world where you've got a lot of people starving and a lot of people killing themselves by overeating... or eating the wrong things. We were interested in finding an inspirational figure who could address that."
Past TED prizes have gone to former President Bill Clinton, rock star and philanthropist Bono and biologist E.O. Wilson. Since 2005, TED has granted wishes to three people a year and continues to work with past winners on achieving their wishes.
But this year, the only winner will be Oliver, who has built an empire of cooking shows, cookbooks and restaurants. Oliver, the 34-year-old son of the owners of a pub/restaurant in Essex, England, came to public attention when he starred in a BBC television series, "The Naked Chef." He has followed that up with many other series, including one on nutrition in America due to launch this spring on ABC.
The chef branched out into advocacy with a "Feed Me Better" campaign for improved school lunches in the U.K. He presented a petition with more than 270,000 signatures to the prime minister's residence at 10 Downing Street in 2005, and officials promised to spend an added 280 million pounds ($437 million) to improve school food quality.
TED Prize winners typically keep their wishes secret until the conference. Anderson told CNN last week that he did not know what Oliver's wish is.
"The whole idea is that the winner can actually wish for anything. We're taking a bit of a gamble here, for all we know he could wish for a hot tub full of models." The suspense is "part of the magical nature of the prize ... that moment of unveiling is special and it excites people."
Oliver's not tipping his hand about his wish, saying -- through a spokesman -- "I humbly but passionately hope that my wish and my speech will inspire everyone in the room -- and watching on the Internet -- to take action on an issue that affects the whole world."
TED began in the 1980s as a conference in California focusing on technology, entertainment and design but has since expanded to include virtually any subject and conferences in other locations. Speakers, dressed informally, prowl a big stage -- there's no lectern -- and present their views as a clock ticks away the 18 minutes each is allotted.
This year's conference in Long Beach, California, with 1,500 people attending in person and 500 watching a simulcast at the TEDActive conference in Palm Springs, features Bill Gates, Sheryl Crow, Sarah Silverman, James Cameron, David Byrne and Eve Ensler, among a roster of speakers in fields such as technology, science, philosophy, art, music and design.
Anderson, who built and eventually sold a magazine publishing empire in the 1980s and 1990s, first attended a TED conference in 1998 and was intrigued that many people said it was the highlight of their year. He acquired TED in 2001 and hosted his first conference in 2003.
Three years later, TED began posting videos of its talks on the Web. They
|
[
"Who is Oliver?",
"What is TED's motto?",
"what its TED ?",
"Who has the motto \" Ideas worth spreading?\"",
"Who has the TED Prize gone to?"
] |
[
"British celebrity chef and nutrition advocate",
"\"Ideas worth spreading.\"",
"nonprofit organization whose motto is \"Ideas worth spreading.\"",
"TED",
"Jamie Oliver"
] |
question: Who is Oliver?, answer: British celebrity chef and nutrition advocate | question: What is TED's motto?, answer: "Ideas worth spreading." | question: what its TED ?, answer: nonprofit organization whose motto is "Ideas worth spreading." | question: Who has the motto " Ideas worth spreading?", answer: TED | question: Who has the TED Prize gone to?, answer: Jamie Oliver
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Keep debating whether video games are art if you wish. At E3, the world's biggest gaming expo, it's a closed question. Here, video games are definitely art -- and a gallery-style exhibit aims to prove it to as many people as care to look.
"Into the Pixel," a juried art show now in its eighth year, opened on Tuesday, showcasing work that supporters say is finally receiving its just due in the sometimes-cloistered art world.
"There actually is no line at all between the video-game artist and the fine-art world," said Nora Dolan, an independent curator who has worked at galleries including the Ansel Adams Museum in San Francisco and the Whitney Museum in New York and was one of the jurors for the show.
"There's no difference to me. This is as high-quality an exhibit as could be."
Seventeen images were selected for the show out of hundreds of submissions. After showing at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the exhibit will spend the next year traveling to festivals and conventions around the world.
As may be expected, there were dragons and spaceships, creepy monsters and brave heroes depicted in the show. But other pieces might not be pegged as video-game images at all if not for the setting.
"Oktonok Cay Cannery," by David Guertin from the game "Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One," is a rendering of a highly abstracted shipyard that wouldn't look out of place next to work by Salvador Dali.
"The Pelican," by Andrew Kim from "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception," is a detailed look at the interior of an empty and vaguely ominous East End London pub.
The prints on display at the opening in the Los Angeles Convention Center were created for video games that range from massive hits from major companies to small, independent games. Some were touched up slightly for their gallery debut, but many are directly lifted from gameplay.
Tyler Breon's entry, "Cronos Battle," from last year's "God of War III," depicts an enormous monster hulking over the game's main character, peering down at him with a look hovering somewhere between perplexed and annoyed.
Breon, a senior character artist for Sony, had his first gallery showing at "Into the Pixel." Video-game art, like other emerging art forms, needed time to earn wider acceptance, he said.
"You look at all kinds of media that were new -- anything that's new, people aren't really comfortable with initially," he said, citing the way comic-book art is now taken seriously, but only after decades of scorn. "I think the longer they're exposed to it, they come to be more comfortable with it."
The past year may have been a turning point in the art world's comfort with video games. The Smithsonian Institution announced that, in 2012, it will be opening "The Art of Video Games," an exhibition spanning four decades of gaming images.
And, last month, the National Endowment for the Arts announced video games would join film, radio and other media that are eligible for government support.
"There are signs that this is really happening," said Martin Rae, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences which, along with the Entertainment Software Association, sponsors "Into the Pixel."
"We now have a realization within the government that what we do is art," Rae said.
Rae compares video-game art to photography. In its infancy, art communities dismissed photo-taking as a simple act of point-and-shoot, merely copying an image that already existed.
"I think we had the same thing here," he said. "But the public is catching up."
By showcasing the work in "Into the Pixel," Rae and others hope to speed that process.
"Every time traditional fine arts people look at what we have in our industry,
|
[
"What did the curator say about video game art?",
"What did the curator say?",
"How many years has \"Into the Pixel\" been in existence?",
"What is 'Into the Pixel'?",
"What is \"Into the Pixel?\"",
"Who says that video game art is finally receiving its just due?",
"What do supporters say about video game art?",
"What did the curator say about video game artist and the fine art world?"
] |
[
"\"There actually is no line at all between the video-game artist and the fine-art world,\"",
"\"There actually is no line at all between the video-game artist and the fine-art world,\"",
"eighth",
"a juried art show",
"juried art show",
"supporters",
"finally receiving its just due",
"the fine-art world,\""
] |
question: What did the curator say about video game art?, answer: "There actually is no line at all between the video-game artist and the fine-art world," | question: What did the curator say?, answer: "There actually is no line at all between the video-game artist and the fine-art world," | question: How many years has "Into the Pixel" been in existence?, answer: eighth | question: What is 'Into the Pixel'?, answer: a juried art show | question: What is "Into the Pixel?", answer: juried art show | question: Who says that video game art is finally receiving its just due?, answer: supporters | question: What do supporters say about video game art?, answer: finally receiving its just due | question: What did the curator say about video game artist and the fine art world?, answer: the fine-art world,"
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- "Easy Rider" actor Peter Fonda found a body while driving down Sunset Boulevard in the Pacific Palisades community of west Los Angeles on Wednesday, police said.
Fonda, 70, noticed that a car had been parked on side street off Sunset Boulevard for two days, so he stopped to check it out, according to Los Angeles Police Homicide Detective Allen Shubert.
"He looked in the vehicle and saw a body in there and called the fire department," Shubert said.
A man who had committed suicide several days before was slumped over the wheel of the sedan, he said.
The man's identity has not been made public, but he was not a celebrity, he said.
|
[
"What was in the car?",
"What did Fonda notice?",
"Did he kill himself?",
"What do police say?",
"What was parked for days?",
"What was inside the car?",
"Where was the car parked?",
"What was found in the car?"
] |
[
"a body",
"that a car had been parked on side street off Sunset Boulevard for two days,",
"committed suicide",
"Peter Fonda found a body",
"car",
"a body",
"on side street off Sunset Boulevard",
"a body"
] |
question: What was in the car?, answer: a body | question: What did Fonda notice?, answer: that a car had been parked on side street off Sunset Boulevard for two days, | question: Did he kill himself?, answer: committed suicide | question: What do police say?, answer: Peter Fonda found a body | question: What was parked for days?, answer: car | question: What was inside the car?, answer: a body | question: Where was the car parked?, answer: on side street off Sunset Boulevard | question: What was found in the car?, answer: a body
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A 24-year-old Connecticut man affiliated with the Anonymous hacking group was arrested and charged Tuesday with electronically attacking the website belonging to Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS, authorities said.
Kevin George Poe, of Manchester, Connecticut, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Hartford on Tuesday, and a judge ordered him released in lieu of a $10,000 bond, federal prosecutors said.
Poe is charged with two counts: conspiracy and unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, prosecutors said.
He was ordered to appear in federal court in Los Angeles at an undetermined date, prosecutors said. The servers to GeneSimmons.com, the website belonging to the KISS band member, are based in Los Angeles, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles.
Poe's federal public defender didn't respond to messages late Tuesday.
Using the screen name of spydr101, Poe joined other persons linked to Anonymous and allegedly conducted a "distributed denial of service" attack against Simmons' website during a five-day period in October 2010.
That attack allegedly involved sending tens of thousands of electronic requests designed to overload the website and shut it down, a prosecutor's statement said.
Poe allegedly used the computer program Low Orbit Ion Cannon -- "a favorite software tool of the Anonymous collective" -- to send a high volume of "packets" or requests in an effort to overwhelm the server, prosecutors said.
If convicted of both charges, Poe could face up to 15 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.
|
[
"What is Kevin George Poe accused of?",
"When did he attack?",
"Who is Kevin George?",
"Who did he allegedly attack?",
"Where is he from?"
] |
[
"conspiracy and unauthorized impairment of a protected computer,",
"five-day period in October 2010.",
"man affiliated with the Anonymous hacking group",
"website belonging to Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS,",
"Connecticut"
] |
question: What is Kevin George Poe accused of?, answer: conspiracy and unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, | question: When did he attack?, answer: five-day period in October 2010. | question: Who is Kevin George?, answer: man affiliated with the Anonymous hacking group | question: Who did he allegedly attack?, answer: website belonging to Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS, | question: Where is he from?, answer: Connecticut
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A 28-year-old California man pleaded no contest Thursday to stalking actress Halle Berry, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.
Richard Anthony Franco of Commerce was sentenced to 386 days in county jail, but received credit Thursday for 193 days already served and won't do any more time, prosecutors said.
Franco was also sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to undergo a year of psychological counseling, the prosecutor's office said.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dennis Landin also imposed a 10-year criminal protective order, prosecutors said.
As part of a plea deal, one count of first-degree residential burglary was dismissed at sentencing, prosecutors said. Franco pleaded no contest to one count of stalking.
In July, Franco allegedly showed up several times at Berry's Hollywood Hills home. He was arrested after she reported a possible burglar, according to police.
At the time, off-duty officers hired by Berry called police and said they were holding a burglary suspect at her home.
A resident there identified him as the same man who had climbed over a locked security gate into the property several times over a few days, police said.
Both times, he had claimed he was "there to see somebody," but left after a Berry employee ordered him out, police said.
|
[
"What must he undergo?",
"How many years of psychological counseling ?",
"Who is sentenced to time already served?",
"What fid Franco do?",
"Who was sentenced?",
"What is dismissed in a plea deal?"
] |
[
"a year of psychological counseling,",
"a",
"Richard Anthony Franco",
"allegedly showed up several times at Berry's Hollywood Hills home.",
"Richard Anthony Franco",
"one count of first-degree residential burglary"
] |
question: What must he undergo?, answer: a year of psychological counseling, | question: How many years of psychological counseling ?, answer: a | question: Who is sentenced to time already served?, answer: Richard Anthony Franco | question: What fid Franco do?, answer: allegedly showed up several times at Berry's Hollywood Hills home. | question: Who was sentenced?, answer: Richard Anthony Franco | question: What is dismissed in a plea deal?, answer: one count of first-degree residential burglary
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A 35-year-old Florida man accused of being a "hackerazzi" pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court to charges of hacking into celebrities' e-mail accounts.
Christopher Chaney of Jacksonville, Florida, is accused of hacking into e-mail accounts and devices belong to more than 50 people, including entertainers Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera, Mila Kunis, Simone Harouche and Renee Olstead, prosecutors said.
During Tuesday's arraignment in Los Angeles, the federal judge increased Chaney's bail to $110,000 from $10,000 in the wake of three new accusations of cyberstalking -- including one celebrity victim who wasn't identified and was allegedly cyberstalked after authorities seized Chaney's computer earlier this year. Two other victims, including a 13-year-old, have told authorities that they were cyberstalked before the computer seizure, prosecutors said.
Chaney was expected to post bail after his mother indicated she would put up the family home as collateral. If he posts bail, Chaney will be subject to electronic monitoring and can't possess any computers, the judge said.
The judge set a December 27 trial date.
Chaney allegedly accessed nude photos of some of the celebrities during the hacking, and a recently circulated nude photo of Johansson is part of the federal investigation, prosecutors said.
Chaney also allegedly used public sources to mine data about his victims, which included both males and females, all associated with the entertainment industry, authorities said.
Authorities allege that once Chaney hacked into a celebrity's e-mail account, he would use the contact lists to find other celebrities' e-mail accounts. This allowed him to add new victims, authorities charge.
Johansson told Vanity Fair magazine she is not ashamed of the photo.
"I know my best angles," she said in an article published Tuesday. "They were sent to my husband. ... There's nothing wrong with that."
Johansson is now divorced from her husband at the time, Ryan Reynolds.
Chaney has been indicted on nine counts of computer hacking for gain, eight counts of aggravated identify theft and nine counts of illegal wiretapping, prosecutors said.
If convicted of the 26 counts, Chaney would face a maximum of 121 years in federal prison, prosecutors said. The aggravated identity theft charge alone carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, prosecutors added.
Last month, Chaney said he became "addicted" to the intrusion and "didn't know how to stop."
"I deeply apologize. I know what I did was probably one of the worst invasions of privacy someone could experience," Chaney told CNN affiliate WAWS/WTEV in Jacksonville, Florida, last month.
"And these people don't have privacy to begin with. And I was in that little sliver of privacy they do have," he said.
In the interview, Chaney said the hacking "started as curiosity and it turned into just being, you know, addicted to seeing the behind-the-scenes of what's going on with these people you see on the big screen every day."
"It just happened and snowballed," he said, adding that he wishes it had never begun.
Chaney said he felt "almost relieved months ago" when authorities seized his computer because "I didn't know how to stop doing it myself. I wasn't attempting to break into e-mails and get stuff to sell or purposely put it on the Internet. It just -- I don't know."
Authorities allege that Chaney distributed photos of the celebrities that he obtained illegally and offered them to various celebrity blog sites, but he didn't seek money in exchange.
Some of the illegally obtained files, including private photographs, were ultimately posted online "as a result of Chaney's alleged activities," authorities said in a statement.
"I've had like six months to think about it," Chaney said, "It eats at me... When you're doing it you're not thinking about what's going on with who you're doing it to."
CNN's Carey Bodenheimer
|
[
"Who does not embarrasses Johansson?",
"What is Christopher Chaney's age?",
"What Chaney said?",
"Which celebrity's email got hacked by Chaney?",
"Johansson says she is not ashamed of what?",
"What age is Christopher Chaney?",
"What he is accused Chaney?",
"What is Chaney accused of doing?"
] |
[
"Christopher Chaney",
"35-year-old",
"he became \"addicted\" to the intrusion and \"didn't know how to stop.\"",
"Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera, Mila Kunis, Simone Harouche and Renee Olstead,",
"of the photo.",
"35-year-old",
"hacking into e-mail accounts and devices",
"\"hackerazzi\""
] |
question: Who does not embarrasses Johansson?, answer: Christopher Chaney | question: What is Christopher Chaney's age?, answer: 35-year-old | question: What Chaney said?, answer: he became "addicted" to the intrusion and "didn't know how to stop." | question: Which celebrity's email got hacked by Chaney?, answer: Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera, Mila Kunis, Simone Harouche and Renee Olstead, | question: Johansson says she is not ashamed of what?, answer: of the photo. | question: What age is Christopher Chaney?, answer: 35-year-old | question: What he is accused Chaney?, answer: hacking into e-mail accounts and devices | question: What is Chaney accused of doing?, answer: "hackerazzi"
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A brawl between motorcycle club members at a western Nevada casino devolved into a gunfight that left one person dead and two wounded, police said Saturday.
Around 11:25 p.m. Friday, a fight broke out among members of the Hell's Angels and Vagos clubs in front of the Trader Dick's bar inside John Ascuaga's Nugget, a family-owned casino in Sparks, that city's deputy police chief Brian Allen told reporters.
Police in Sparks, which is just east of Reno, responded with assistance from overhead helicopters after hearing several people involved in the brawl had guns and that shots were fired. Authorities earlier reported that as many as 30 people total took part in the altercation.
They came upon what Sparks police Lt. Pete Krall described earlier Saturday as a "very chaotic scene." That included "multiple gunshot victims" who were transported to area hospitals, according to Allen.
One Hell's Angels member died from his wounds, while two associated with Vagos suffered what the deputy chief described as "non-life-threatening" injuries. No bystanders or casino employees were wounded in the incident, he added.
The incident, as well a "subsequent drive-by shooting" elsewhere in the city, prompted the declaration of a "state of emergency" in Sparks, the city announced late Saturday afternoon on its website.
"Whenever you have people who enter our city with bad intentions, bad things are going to happen," Sparks Mayor Geno Martini said during a press conference Saturday. "That's what happened here last night."
Sparks police have arrested "one Hell's Angels member for his involvement in the fight and subsequent shooting," Allen said. "Other law enforcement agencies made additional arrests on the outskirts of the incident, and we are coordinating to determine their ... involvement in the case."
Renown Medical Center, located in Reno, announced on its website at 1:45 p.m. Saturday that it had "applied extra security measures and locked all exterior access to the hospital, except for (one) emergency room entrance" because of the shooting.
By 3 p.m., the hospital said it would be "easing precautionary security measures for various entrances/exits," though there would be "limited access" for certain areas.
The incident erupted in the midst of the Street Vibrations Fall Rally, an event that began Wednesday and is set to continue into Sunday in Reno.
Allen said that since the 18th annual event recently expanded into Sparks, there have been no incidents such as the one Friday night. He did state that, after the shooting, Reno, Sparks and Washoe County authorities are "increasing personnel at the event."
The event's activities in Sparks were canceled through the weekend because of the shooting, the city announced Saturday afternoon. Still, hours earlier, its mayor said the incident -- while worrisome -- shouldn't cast a negative light on all motorcycle club members.
"I hope the people out there won't judge the motorcycle community by the incident that happened last night," said Martini. "I don't think it's a true picture."
CNN's Michael Martinez, Maggie Schneider and Divina Mims contributed to this report.
|
[
"how many Hell's Angels member has died?",
"How many were arrested?",
"Which club members fought?",
"how many person was arrested in sparks?",
"Where is the hospital?"
] |
[
"One",
"\"one Hell's Angels member",
"Hell's Angels and Vagos",
"\"one",
"Reno,"
] |
question: how many Hell's Angels member has died?, answer: One | question: How many were arrested?, answer: "one Hell's Angels member | question: Which club members fought?, answer: Hell's Angels and Vagos | question: how many person was arrested in sparks?, answer: "one | question: Where is the hospital?, answer: Reno,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A man who allegedly shot his ex-wife and seven other people to death in the deadliest shooting in Orange County, California, history pleaded not guilty Tuesday, prosecutors said.
An Orange County Superior Court judge scheduled an April 24, 2012, preliminary hearing for Scott Evans Dekraai, 41. Dekraai is charged with eight counts of first-degree murder and a felony count of attempted murder in the October 12 shooting at the Salon Meritage hair salon in the small coastal community of Seal Beach, a district attorney's spokeswoman said.
The first-degree murder charges carry the special circumstance of multiple murder. The attempted murder count is for a ninth victim who was wounded.
Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty. Dekraai is being held without bond.
Dekraai and his ex-wife, Michelle Fournier, 48, were battling over custody of their 8-year-old son, and the dispute was the motive in the shooting, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said in October. The prosecutor called Dekraai "a methodical and merciless killer."
On the morning of the shooting, Dekraai and Fournier got into an argument about child custody, authorities said.
"We're sort of guessing. We believe that the custody battle wasn't going well for him. We don't know the contents of their conversation or anything," Rackauckas said.
Hours later, the gunfire rampage at the salon, just blocks from the ocean, unfolded, authorities said.
"He also considered the people who were friends and who worked with his ex-wife were enablers, and he didn't have much use for them either," Rackauckas said.
The gunman was armed with three weapons -- a 9 mm Springfield, a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum, and a Heckler & Koch .45 -- and was wearing body armor during the shooting rampage, Rackauckas said. He used at least two of those guns, the prosecutor said.
Rackauckas summarized the mass shooting, saying Dekraai "walked through the salon shooting anyone close enough to hit. He stopped to reload during this spree, and he continued gunning people down. He was not satisfied with murdering his intended target, his ex-wife. For almost two minutes, Dekraai shot victim after victim, executing people by shooting them in the head and chest.
"He shot eight people inside the salon. But he was not done. He then walked out of the salon and shot a ninth victim, a male who was sitting nearby in a parked Range Rover. The reason for this rampage: revenge," he said.
"We believe that the defendant committed this unimaginable act of violence because he wanted to kill his ex-wife over a custody dispute concerning their 8-year-old son. He was willing to end any life in his path, and he did. Clearly this two-minute murder spree could not have been about loving his son," the prosecutor said.
While Dekraai allegedly carried out the mass murder, his son was sitting alone in the principal's office at school, waiting for his mother or father to pick him up, authorities said.
"That little boy is also a victim. He is now left to mourn the murder of his mother and grow up with the knowledge that his father (allegedly) committed a mass murder," Rackauckas said. "What sick, twisted fatherly love is this?"
In addition to Fournier, of Los Alamitos, the people killed were salon employee Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54, of Laguna Beach; David Caouette, 64, of Seal Beach, who was in the vehicle outside the salon; salon employee Laura Lee Elody, 46, of Huntington Beach; salon owner Randy Lee Fannin, 62, of Murrieta; salon client Michele Daschbach Fast, 47, of Seal Beach; salon client Lucia Bernice Kondas, 65, of Huntington Beach; and salon employee Christy Lynn Wilson, 47, of Lakewood, authorities said.
Dekraai allegedly shot Caouette, who was in the parked vehicle, in the head through a closed front passenger side window, authorities said.
The
|
[
"Who is seeking the death penalty?",
"What was Dekraai's ruling?",
"Who's murder Dekraai was charged with?",
"What age is Dekraai?",
"Who wants to seek the death penalty?",
"How many people did Dekraai kill?",
"Who is charged with killing his ex-wife and 7 others?",
"On how many counts of first-degree murder Dekraai is charged?"
] |
[
"Prosecutors",
"eight counts of first-degree murder",
"his ex-wife and seven other people",
"41.",
"Prosecutors",
"his ex-wife and seven other",
"Scott Evans Dekraai,",
"eight"
] |
question: Who is seeking the death penalty?, answer: Prosecutors | question: What was Dekraai's ruling?, answer: eight counts of first-degree murder | question: Who's murder Dekraai was charged with?, answer: his ex-wife and seven other people | question: What age is Dekraai?, answer: 41. | question: Who wants to seek the death penalty?, answer: Prosecutors | question: How many people did Dekraai kill?, answer: his ex-wife and seven other | question: Who is charged with killing his ex-wife and 7 others?, answer: Scott Evans Dekraai, | question: On how many counts of first-degree murder Dekraai is charged?, answer: eight
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A man wounded Friday when a gunman opened fire at passing vehicles along a downtown street in Hollywood has died, a spokeswoman at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles said Monday.
John Atterberry died shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, according to Simi Singer, the hospital spokeswoman.
The music-industry executive was shot in the jaw at Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street.
The gunman, 26-year-old Tyler Brehm, went on the rampage that ended with his being fatally shot by police, Los Angeles police spokeswoman Sgt. Mitzi Fierro has said.
An amateur video captured the scene of Brehm walking down Sunset Boulevard wielding a handgun and firing at vehicles, seemingly at random. Brehm fired a "significant number" of rounds, police said.
He then returned to an intersection, where he was confronted by a plainclothes police detective and an off-duty police officer working on a nearby movie set, officials said.
"At that point the police ordered him to drop his weapon and he pointed his gun at the police and an officer-involved shooting occurred," Fierro said.
Brehm died later at a nearby hospital, according to a police statement.
Christopher Johns recorded much of the incident from his apartment window and can be heard shouting at Brehm throughout.
"Why don't you come up here?" he yelled, later telling CNN that he intended to distract the gunman.
At one point, Brehm spoke with Johns, asking him for ammunition and to call an ambulance.
Fierro said it appeared Johns could interact with the suspect without jeopardizing his safety.
"It appears from the video that he was able to distract the suspect and keep him from shooting at additional people before the police arrived," she said.
Police have not indicated that they know Brehm's motive.
Two others suffered minor injuries.
Witnesses were stunned by the shooting spree. Amy Torgeson told CNN affiliate KABC that vehicles began "swerving and braking," and she sought cover at a nearby bank.
"A car drove by and he just shot right into the car," Torgeson said. "He was just shooting everywhere."
CNN's Regina Graham contributed to this report.
|
[
"Where was Atterberry shot?",
"Who died around 5pm on Monday?",
"Where did the shooting spree happen?",
"what is the spokeswoman name?",
"Who did the shooting on Sunset Boulevard?",
"who died around 5 p.m. Monday?",
"What happened to Brehm?",
"When did Atterberry die?",
"what is the age of Tyler Brehm?"
] |
[
"Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street.",
"John Atterberry",
"in Hollywood",
"Simi Singer,",
"Tyler Brehm,",
"John Atterberry",
"fatally shot by police,",
"Monday,",
"26-year-old"
] |
question: Where was Atterberry shot?, answer: Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street. | question: Who died around 5pm on Monday?, answer: John Atterberry | question: Where did the shooting spree happen?, answer: in Hollywood | question: what is the spokeswoman name?, answer: Simi Singer, | question: Who did the shooting on Sunset Boulevard?, answer: Tyler Brehm, | question: who died around 5 p.m. Monday?, answer: John Atterberry | question: What happened to Brehm?, answer: fatally shot by police, | question: When did Atterberry die?, answer: Monday, | question: what is the age of Tyler Brehm?, answer: 26-year-old
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A medical marijuana advocacy group sued the Obama administration Thursday, saying its policy "to subvert local and state medical marijuana laws in California" is unconstitutional.
Americans for Safe Access accused the U.S. Justice Department of deploying aggressive SWAT-style raids, prosecuting medical marijuana patients and providers, and threatening local officials for implement state medical pot laws.
The group, a nonprofit based in Oakland, California, that says it's the country's largest medical marijuana advocacy organization, cited U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag of the northern district of California in its federal lawsuit filed in San Francisco.
"Under the Tenth Amendment, the government may not commandeer the law-making function of the state or its subdivisions or indirectly through the selective enforcement of its drug laws," the lawsuit said. "It is this misuse of the government's commerce clause powers, designed to deprive the state of its sovereign ability to chart a separate course, that forms the basis of the plaintiff's claim."
Earlier this month, federal prosecutors in California announced a series of actions targeting what they characterized as the "large, for-profit marijuana industry" that has developed since the state legalized medical marijuana for select patients 15 years ago.
Four U.S. attorneys -- Benjamin Wagner, Andre Birotte Jr., Laura Duffy and Melinda Haag -- detailed in a joint press release and later a press conference in Sacramento some steps that have been taken in conjunction with federal law enforcement and local officials in California.
They include letters of warning to landlords and lien holders of places in which marijuana is being sold illegally, "civil forfeiture lawsuits against properties involved in drug trafficking activity" and numerous criminal cases. The latter refers to arrests in recent weeks related to cases filed in federal courts in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and Fresno, all part of an effort that Wagner claimed has resulted in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of marijuana, tens of thousands of plants and hundreds of thousands in cash.
Thursday's lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and was filed on behalf of its 20,000 members in California, the medical marijuana advocacy group said.
"This case is aimed at restoring California's sovereign and constitutional right to establish its own public health laws based on this country's federalist principles," the association's chief counsel, Joe Elford, said in a statement.
In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215 to exempt doctors and seriously ill patients from marijuana laws and allow them to grow and use it in treatment. The bill didn't legalize marijuana for all, but it did lead to the emergence of hundreds of dispensaries where people -- legally only those with medical conditions and a doctor's authorization -- could get the drug.
In explaining the federal crackdown earlier this month, Wagner, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, said authorities "are not focused on backyard grows with small amounts of marijuana by seriously ill people. We are targeting commercial operations, which profit from growing and distributing ... and often use the trappings of state law for cover, but in fact are abusing state law."
Haag, U.S. attorney for California's northern district, claimed that "profiteers ... motivated not by compassion, but by money" had "hijacked" the intent of voters to help those suffering from debilitating conditions. And Birotte, from California's central district, said a chief problem lies in operations that make money not by selling marijuana to the sick, but to relatively healthy people.
CNN's Rich Porter and Erica Henry contributed to this story.
|
[
"who did say the growers sell medical pot to healthy people?",
"what is violating the Tenth Amendment?",
"what did he say",
"What do prosecutors say the growers do?",
"Who is suing the feds for their California crackdown on medical pot?"
] |
[
"Birotte,",
"U.S. Justice Department",
"\"This case is aimed at restoring California's sovereign and constitutional right to establish its own public health laws based on this country's federalist principles,\"",
"profit from growing and distributing",
"Safe Access"
] |
question: who did say the growers sell medical pot to healthy people?, answer: Birotte, | question: what is violating the Tenth Amendment?, answer: U.S. Justice Department | question: what did he say, answer: "This case is aimed at restoring California's sovereign and constitutional right to establish its own public health laws based on this country's federalist principles," | question: What do prosecutors say the growers do?, answer: profit from growing and distributing | question: Who is suing the feds for their California crackdown on medical pot?, answer: Safe Access
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A third day of testimony gets underway in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday as a judge decides whether Dr. Conrad Murray will face trial for involuntary manslaughter in the death of singer Michael Jackson.
On Wednesday, a paramedic and a security guard testified that Jackson appeared to be dead when an ambulance arrived at his home at 12:26 p.m. June 25, 2009.
"When I picked him up, his legs were quite cool," Los Angeles County Paramedic Richard Senneff said. "His eyes were quite dry."
No pulse was detected, and the paramedics' heart monitor showed Jackson was "flatlined" as he lay on his bedroom floor, Senneff testified.
Prosecutors contend that Murray's should be held criminally responsible for giving the pop star a surgical anesthetic, propofol, at home without monitoring equipment.
The coroner concluded Jackson died from "acute propofol intoxication," in combination "the contributory affects of the benzodiazepines," Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said.
Murray allegedly delayed calling for help when he found Jackson was not breathing, misled paramedics and doctors about the series of sedatives and the anesthetic he'd given him and that he tried to hide evidence when he should have been trying to revive Jackson.
Murray told paramedics he had only given Jackson a dose of lorazepam to help him sleep and that he was treating him for dehydration, Senneff testified.
When he asked "how long the patient was down," the doctor responded "'It just happened,'" Senneff testified.
The paramedic said that account"it didn't add up."
Testimony Wednesday also included emotional accounts of crying and praying in the home as Jackson's children and employees realized something was very wrong upstairs.
Jackson chef Kia Chase said the first indication of a crisis was when Murray ran downstairs in a panic and asked her to send Jackson's oldest son, Prince, and the security guard upstairs.
"His eyes were enlarged," Chase testified. "He was screaming."
After the housekeepers started crying, the rest of the staff joined them, she said.
"We started praying," Chase said. "We held hands, and we were crying."
Jackson's two oldest children, Prince and Paris, watched from a bedroom doorway as Murray tried to revive their father before the ambulance arrived, according to Alberto Alvarez, who worked on Jackson's security team.
"Paris screamed 'Daddy!' and she started crying," Alvarez testified.
Michael Jackson's three sisters, parents and brother Randy listened from the second row of the courtroom as Alvarez appeared to be near tears as he described the scene.
"Dr. Murray then said 'Get them out, get them out. Don't let them see their father like this,' " Alvarez said. "I turned to the children and I told them 'Don't worry, children, we'll take care of it. Go outside please.' "
Alvarez testified that Murray asked for his help in collecting medicines from around the bedroom.
"He then grabbed a handful of bottles or vials," Alvarez said. "He instructed me to put them in a bag."
It was only then, about 21 minutes after prosecutors say Murray realized Jackson was not breathing, that he asked Alvarez to call for an ambulance. It arrived four minutes later.
Jackson's former security chief testified that Murray seemed not to know how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation as he waited for paramedics to arrive at the singer's house.
Faheem Muhammed said he and Alvarez saw Murray crouched next to Jackson's bed "in a panicked state asking, 'Does anyone know CPR?' "
"I looked at Alberto because we knew Dr. Murray was a heart surgeon, so we were shocked," Muhammed said.
When defense lawyer Ed Chernoff asked if perhaps Murray was only asking for help because he was tired, Muhammed said, "The way that he asked it is as if he didn't know CPR."
Alvarez testified that Murray told him and Muhammed that he was
|
[
"What was Murray treating jackson for?",
"How much time was the delayed 911 call?",
"Who appeared dead?",
"who is Dr. Conrad Murray ?",
"What did Paris Jackson cry?",
"who is Michael Jackson?",
"Who delayed calling 911?"
] |
[
"dehydration,",
"about 21 minutes",
"Michael Jackson.",
"Dr. Murray was a heart surgeon,",
"'Daddy!'",
"singer",
"Murray"
] |
question: What was Murray treating jackson for?, answer: dehydration, | question: How much time was the delayed 911 call?, answer: about 21 minutes | question: Who appeared dead?, answer: Michael Jackson. | question: who is Dr. Conrad Murray ?, answer: Dr. Murray was a heart surgeon, | question: What did Paris Jackson cry?, answer: 'Daddy!' | question: who is Michael Jackson?, answer: singer | question: Who delayed calling 911?, answer: Murray
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Actress Lindsay Lohan missed her first day of community service at the Los Angeles County morgue Thursday, one day after a judge rebuked her for similar failures, revoked her probation and forced her to post $100,000 bail.
"Lindsay arrived at the morgue approximately 20 minutes late and will be returning for orientation tomorrow," said her publicist Steven Honig.
"Her lateness was due to a combination of not knowing what entrance to go through and confusion caused by the media waiting for her arrival," Honig said in a statement. "Lindsay spoke with the supervisors at the morgue. They showed her how to get in, and everything is all cleared up."
Chief Coroner Craig Harvey said Lohan failed to show up on time -- 7 a.m. PT Thursday -- to the coroner's office.
Though she arrived late, Lohan was turned away because there wasn't enough time to complete her hours for the day, officials said.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner ruled Wednesday that after Lohan posted $100,000 bail for her probation revocation, she had to perform two working shifts -- or eight hours a day -- twice a week until her probation revocation hearing November 2.
Lohan's tardiness Thursday doesn't mean she is turned away from the program, Harvey said. If Lohan shows up Friday on time, she will be allowed to work and perform her community service, Harvey said.
The coroner's office will dismiss Lohan from her morgue duties only if she does something "terribly" wrong or shows misconduct, Harvey said.
Sautner revoked probation for Lohan because of her failure to comply with community service at a downtown Los Angeles women's center.
Under Sautner's ruling, once Lohan made bail the same day, the actress now must perform 16 hours of community service a week -- over a minimum of two days a week -- at the county morgue before her probation violation hearing next month.
Lohan, 25, was on probation after pleading guilty in May to stealing a necklace from a Venice, California, jewelry store. She served five weeks of home confinement ending in June for that misdemeanor theft and violation of another probation.
Lohan's legal woes began in 2007 with two drunken driving arrests and have been compounded by her failure to attend counseling classes and her failures of alcohol and drug tests. Her current probation calls for her to perform 360 hours at the Los Angeles Downtown Women's Center and 120 hours at the county morgue within a year.
But the judge expressed anger Wednesday at Lohan's repeated probation failures. She said Lohan posted nine absences at the women's center since her last court hearing July 21 -- and performed, at most, only two hours of service.
Lohan's attempt to perform community service at a nearby Red Cross facility -- instead of the women's center -- was voided Wednesday because the judge said she didn't authorize that change.
After the hearing, Lohan publicist Honig released a statement: "Lindsay is hoping this matter will be resolved on November 2 and the court will reinstate probation and allow her to continue fulfilling her community service."
Lohan's estranged father, Michael Lohan, told HLN's "Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell" that his daughter needs "a very, very intensive" program of rehabilitation for substance abuse.
"What the judge did, she had to do," he said Wednesday. But he said jail time would not be the proper remedy.
"She's not going to be working the morgue. She's going to wind up in a morgue if someone doesn't do something to get her help," he said.
At one point during this week's hearing, Los Angeles city attorneys Lisa Houle and Melanie Chavira asked the court to revoke Lohan's probation and impose jail time because of her failure to do community service. One of the city attorneys said Lohan "is in violation for getting herself kicked out of the women's center, which she was ordered to do."
But Lohan's attorney told the court that the actress received "a glowing" probation report, which said
|
[
"What did the judge revoke?",
"How many minutes was she late?",
"What did Coroner say?",
"Where was she doing community service?",
"When will she return?",
"What time was she supposed to be there?",
"Where is Lindsay Lohan doing her community service?"
] |
[
"probation for Lohan",
"20",
"Lohan failed to show up on time",
"County morgue",
"tomorrow,\"",
"7 a.m. PT Thursday",
"Los Angeles"
] |
question: What did the judge revoke?, answer: probation for Lohan | question: How many minutes was she late?, answer: 20 | question: What did Coroner say?, answer: Lohan failed to show up on time | question: Where was she doing community service?, answer: County morgue | question: When will she return?, answer: tomorrow," | question: What time was she supposed to be there?, answer: 7 a.m. PT Thursday | question: Where is Lindsay Lohan doing her community service?, answer: Los Angeles
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Acts signed for October's tribute concert for Michael Jackson include Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Cee Lo Green and JLS, the promoters told CNN Thursday.
Members of the Jackson family taking the stage October 8 in Cardiff, Wales, include several of Michael Jackson's brothers, "the next generation of Jacksons," and 3T, which consists of Tito Jackson's three sons.
Alternative rock band Alien Ant Farm and British R&B singer Craig David are also on the bill, while other artists will be added in the next few days, according to promoter Global Live Events.
"This announcement is just the beginning, we have many more to announce," Global Live Events executive Paul Ring said. "This concert will unite various generations and musical genres, reminding everyone of just how amazing a talent Michael was."
With the "Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert" lineup now known, fans can start "registering their interest for tickets" online at http://www.michaelforevertribute.com/ beginning Thursday, the promoter said. A lottery will determine which fans will be invited to purchase tickets, it said.
The concert in the Wales Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which seats 75,000 people, would be at least four hours long, Global Live Events CEO Chris Hunt said.
Jackson matriarch Katherine Jackson and the promoter are scheduled to discuss the show's plans in a live broadcast on CNN Monday.
The delay produced grumbling and doubts expressed on Jackson fan websites, but promoters hope the revelation of the lineup will satisfy them. "Fans of Michael's music will get the concert they've been waiting for," Hunt said in a message posted on the promoter's website last week.
Two of the five surviving Jackson brothers, Jermaine and Randy, objected to the timing of the show, issuing a sharply worded statement last month that reflected a deep division within the Jackson family.
"We want to make clear that this does not reflect the position of the entire family," the two brothers said in a joint statement after their mother and four siblings endorsed the show.
"While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael's death," Jermaine and Randy Jackson said.
The involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, begins in September and is expected to continue into October.
While Katherine Jackson has previously said she would attend every day of Murray's trial -- as she did when her son was tried on a sex charge -- the promoter said the Jackson mother will travel to Wales for the concert.
"In light of this, we feel it is inappropriate to be involved with such an ill-timed event and its promoter, Global Live," Randy and Jermaine Jackson said.
Their statement said the idea of the October concert was presented to the entire family in April "as an idea already in its advanced stages." The decision to go ahead with it "disrespects opinions and wishes expressed in the strongest terms" by some members of the Jackson family, they said.
The Michael Jackson Fan Club agreed with the two brothers, issuing a similar statement.
"We share their concerns that this concert is taking place at a most inappropriate time when everyone's care and attention should be focused on the matter of justice. We believe that, as stated by Jermaine and Randy, the most important tribute we can give to Michael Jackson at this time is to seek justice in his name."
Jackson fans posted messages on the concert's Facebook page questioning ticket prices and the process for buying them.
Fans must register for a chance to buy a ticket. While the website initially said the higher a pledge to a charity they make while registering, the better their chances of getting a good seat. It was later revised to say that donations are not mandatory and all applications will have an equal chance.
A portion of the concert proceeds, particularly fan pledges, will go to charities, The Aids Project
|
[
"What were the fans registering for?",
"When is the concert starting?",
"What is the title of the concert?",
"When is the concert scheduled for?",
"who endorse the show",
"When can fans start registering for tickets?",
"Where is the concert?"
] |
[
"the better their chances of getting a good seat.",
"October 8",
"\"Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert\"",
"October 8",
"Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Cee Lo Green",
"Thursday,",
"Cardiff, Wales,"
] |
question: What were the fans registering for?, answer: the better their chances of getting a good seat. | question: When is the concert starting?, answer: October 8 | question: What is the title of the concert?, answer: "Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert" | question: When is the concert scheduled for?, answer: October 8 | question: who endorse the show, answer: Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Cee Lo Green | question: When can fans start registering for tickets?, answer: Thursday, | question: Where is the concert?, answer: Cardiff, Wales,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- After approximately a week of poring over 145 jury questionnaires, lawyers in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor are due in court Wednesday to discuss removing jurors whose answers they believe should disqualify them from hearing the case.
But legal experts say prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Conrad Murray trial will be doing more than simply screening jurors based on their answers to the more than 100 questions filled out on September 8 and 9. They'll also be scrutinizing what prospective jurors may have said outside the courthouse and online about events surrounding the June 2009 death of pop star Michael Jackson.
"This is the world of social media, and it directly impacts criminal trials," said Thomas Mesereau, the attorney who successfully defended Jackson during his 2005 molestation trial. "I have no doubt that both sides will hire competent people to explore every aspect of social media to try and find out whatever they can about these jurors, and also to see if these potential jurors have communicated themselves with anyone else about this case."
The questionnaire asks whether potential jurors "ever posted any blogs or posted comments on any internet sites" and goes on to specifically ask whether the individual "accessed or posted" any comments about Murray, who is accused of administering a lethal dose of drugs to Jackson.
"I think it is safe to say that contemporary trial practice dictates that you make an effort to find out whatever information you can about jurors," Los Angeles defense attorney Shepard Kopp said. "If somebody has a Facebook page where the settings are public, and you can see what their interests are, you can very well learn valuable information there."
A simple Internet search can link attorneys to prospective jurors' blogs, tweets and postings on social networking sites to see if they have commented on a specific case. It also may offer insight into jurors' psyches.
"Any information you can get on a prospective juror is helpful, because you have such a short period of time in which to evaluate who the person is that is ultimately going to be making a very important decision in the case," said Richard Gabriel, a jury consultant with Decision Analysis.
Gabriel has been advising attorneys for 25 years on such high-profile murder cases as O.J. Simpson's and Casey Anthony's. He says screening jurors today is easier because of the amount of information people share on the Internet.
"If they have a Twitter account, it can give you a little bit more about how they interact with the rest of the world, not just in a courtroom setting," he said.
But Gabriel added that it is rare for a legal team to have time to do such vetting of prospective jurors, because jury selection is completed within hours in a vast majority of trials, not over several weeks as in the Anthony case (and most likely Murray's as well).
"The last thing you want to be doing in jury selection is research on your laptop computer in court," Kopp, the attorney, said about finding time to vet jurors. "That can send the message to the jurors that you are engaged in some other kind of work and you are not interested enough in the case you are trying."
And who knows what the reaction might be if jurors knew they were the ones being judged online -- to determine if they were fit to sit in judgment.
Opening statements for the trial, which will be televised, are scheduled for September 27. The trial is expected to last about a month.
If convicted of the involuntary manslaughter charge, Murray could face up to four years in prison.
|
[
"What is the name of the person on trial?",
"What will they base their screening on?",
"When are attorneys due in court?",
"What will the attorneys be discussing?",
"When will the attorneys appear in court?",
"What will lawyers be screened based on?",
"What will attorneys discuss on Wednesday?",
"What will the lawyers be screening?"
] |
[
"Conrad Murray",
"answers to the more than 100 questions filled out",
"Wednesday",
"prospective jurors may have said outside the courthouse and online about events surrounding the June 2009 death of pop star Michael Jackson.",
"Wednesday",
"their answers to the more than 100 questions filled out",
"removing jurors whose answers they believe should disqualify them from hearing the case.",
"jurors based on their answers to the more than 100 questions filled out on September 8 and 9."
] |
question: What is the name of the person on trial?, answer: Conrad Murray | question: What will they base their screening on?, answer: answers to the more than 100 questions filled out | question: When are attorneys due in court?, answer: Wednesday | question: What will the attorneys be discussing?, answer: prospective jurors may have said outside the courthouse and online about events surrounding the June 2009 death of pop star Michael Jackson. | question: When will the attorneys appear in court?, answer: Wednesday | question: What will lawyers be screened based on?, answer: their answers to the more than 100 questions filled out | question: What will attorneys discuss on Wednesday?, answer: removing jurors whose answers they believe should disqualify them from hearing the case. | question: What will the lawyers be screening?, answer: jurors based on their answers to the more than 100 questions filled out on September 8 and 9.
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- After missing her first day of community service at the Los Angeles County morgue, actress Lindsay Lohan gets a second chance to appear on time Friday.
"Lindsay arrived at the morgue approximately 20 minutes late and will be returning for orientation tomorrow," said her publicist Steven Honig Thursday.
Just a day earlier, a judge rebuked Lohan for similar failures, revoked her probation and forced her to post $100,000 bail.
"Her lateness was due to a combination of not knowing what entrance to go through and confusion caused by the media waiting for her arrival," Honig said in a statement. "Lindsay spoke with the supervisors at the morgue. They showed her how to get in, and everything is all cleared up."
Chief Coroner Craig Harvey said Lohan failed to show up on time -- 10 a.m. ET Thursday -- to the coroner's office.
Though she arrived late, Lohan was turned away because there wasn't enough time to complete her hours for the day, officials said.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner ruled Wednesday that after Lohan posted $100,000 bail for her probation revocation, she had to perform two working shifts -- or eight hours a day -- twice a week until her probation revocation hearing November 2.
Lohan's tardiness Thursday doesn't mean she is turned away from the program, Harvey said. If Lohan shows up Friday on time, she will be allowed to work and perform her community service, Harvey said.
The coroner's office will dismiss Lohan from her morgue duties only if she does something "terribly" wrong or shows misconduct, Harvey said.
Sautner revoked probation for Lohan because of her failure to comply with community service at a downtown Los Angeles women's center.
Under Sautner's ruling, once Lohan made bail the same day, the actress now must perform 16 hours of community service a week -- over a minimum of two days a week -- at the county morgue before her probation violation hearing next month.
Lohan, 25, was on probation after pleading guilty in May to stealing a necklace from a Venice, California, jewelry store. She served five weeks of home confinement ending in June for that misdemeanor theft and violation of another probation.
Lohan's legal woes began in 2007 with two drunken driving arrests and have been compounded by her failure to attend counseling classes and her failures of alcohol and drug tests. Her current probation calls for her to perform 360 hours at the Los Angeles Downtown Women's Center and 120 hours at the county morgue within a year.
But the judge expressed anger Wednesday at Lohan's repeated probation failures. She said Lohan posted nine absences at the women's center since her last court hearing July 21 -- and performed, at most, only two hours of service.
Lohan's attempt to perform community service at a nearby Red Cross facility -- instead of the women's center -- was voided Wednesday because the judge said she didn't authorize that change.
After the hearing, Lohan publicist Honig released a statement: "Lindsay is hoping this matter will be resolved on November 2 and the court will reinstate probation and allow her to continue fulfilling her community service."
Lohan's estranged father, Michael Lohan, told HLN's "Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell" that his daughter needs "a very, very intensive" program of rehabilitation for substance abuse.
"What the judge did, she had to do," he said Wednesday. But he said jail time would not be the proper remedy.
"She's not going to be working the morgue. She's going to wind up in a morgue if someone doesn't do something to get her help," he said.
At one point during this week's hearing, Los Angeles city attorneys Lisa Houle and Melanie Chavira asked the court to revoke Lohan's probation and impose jail time because of her failure to do community service. One of the city attorneys said Lohan "is in violation for getting herself kicked out of the women's center, which she was ordered to do."
But Lohan's attorney told the
|
[
"Who revoked Lohan's probation?",
"How many minutes was she late?",
"Where was Lohan send to do community service?",
"Who said she missed her 10 am start time?",
"Who said she arrives 20 minutes late?",
"What was lohan's start time"
] |
[
"Judge Stephanie Sautner",
"20",
"Los Angeles County morgue,",
"Chief Coroner Craig Harvey",
"Lindsay Lohan",
"10 a.m. ET Thursday"
] |
question: Who revoked Lohan's probation?, answer: Judge Stephanie Sautner | question: How many minutes was she late?, answer: 20 | question: Where was Lohan send to do community service?, answer: Los Angeles County morgue, | question: Who said she missed her 10 am start time?, answer: Chief Coroner Craig Harvey | question: Who said she arrives 20 minutes late?, answer: Lindsay Lohan | question: What was lohan's start time, answer: 10 a.m. ET Thursday
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- After weeks of headlines about the outage of its hacker-compromised online gaming system, Sony on Monday looked to change the conversation with Playstation Vita, a machine they say will "revolutionize" handheld game play.
The gaming system, which will be available by this year's holiday season, marries advances in portable gaming with the Playstation's longstanding gaming pedigree, said Sony president of consumer products Kazuo Hirai.
"Playstation Vita will revolutionize the portable entertainment experience," he said. "It is an experience you really need to see and feel to believe."
The Vita was unveiled as part of Sony's presentation on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, which officially begins Tuesday.
The device will have a 5-inch touch screen and feature front and back-mounted cameras and touch pads in addition to a pair of mounted joysticks. The system will let players use any, or all, of those controls during a game.
With more than 80 titles already in development, according to Sony, the Vita will offer cross-platform play, letting players continue some games between the Vita and the Playstation or, in some cases, even play multiplayer games against others using either a Vita or Playstation.
The Wi-Fi only version will sell for $249 and a 3G model, with exclusive AT&T service, will be $299.
The Vita, which Sony had been calling the NGP (next-generation portable) before its official unveiling, marks the company's biggest advance in the handheld gaming space since it introduced the Sony PSP in 2006.
It doesn't feature 3D gaming, like rival Nintendo's 3DS, which was rolled out at last year's E3. But Hirai teased that the dual cameras will be used in another emerging video-game space -- augmented reality.
"With Playstation Vita, the whole world really is in play," he said.
John Davidson, of gaming website GameSpot, liked what he saw of the Vita after an early look, calling its visual fidelity "remarkable."
"Definitely closer to handheld 'HD' experience than previous handhelds," he said in an email to CNN.
Jack Tretton, president of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, didn't waste time Monday addressing the hacker-caused outage that had the Playstation Network down for the better part of a month for most players.
He called it the "elephant in the room" and thanked gamers for staying loyal during the down time.
"You are the lifeblood of this company. Without you there is no Playstation," Tretton said. "I want to apologize, both personally and on behalf of the company, for any anxiety we caused you.
"I know we took you away from what you enjoy most ... and it is you that causes us both to be humble and amazed at the amount of dedication and support you continue to give to the Playstation brand."
Noting the weeks of negative headlines, he jokingly said "you're welcome" to members of the media. He said that more than 90 percent of users have returned to the online network, which saw its online store returned last week.
Sony also kept up the push for 3-D gaming Monday by taking on what's been considered one of the key stumbling blocks to its success: Price.
Acknowledging that the cost of 3-D television remains prohibitive for many gamers, Tretton announced that Sony will be making a Playstation-branded 3-D console that will sell, along with a set of 3-D glasses and the upcoming 3-D game "Resistance 3," for $499.
The 24-inch console, which can also be used to watch 3-D movies and television, offers a split-screen mode for multi-player gaming.
"We know that gaming is going to drive 3-D adoption," Tretton said.
Among the upcoming games Sony featured, the two that got the most attention were "Uncharted: Drake's Deception" and "Bioshock: Infinite."
Both will be available for the Playstation and Vita.
|
[
"What size screen will the device have?",
"When was the PSP launched?",
"Who called the recent outage of the Playstation Network an \"elephant in the room\"?",
"What did he say about the outage?",
"What does the Launch mark?",
"What did Sony's U.S. president call recent outage?",
"The launch marks Sony's biggest advance in handheld gaming since when?",
"What will the device have?"
] |
[
"5-inch",
"2006.",
"Jack Tretton,",
"\"elephant in the room\"",
"the company's biggest advance in the handheld gaming space since it introduced the Sony PSP in 2006.",
"the \"elephant in the room\"",
"PSP in 2006.",
"a 5-inch touch screen and feature front and back-mounted cameras and touch pads in addition to a pair of mounted joysticks."
] |
question: What size screen will the device have?, answer: 5-inch | question: When was the PSP launched?, answer: 2006. | question: Who called the recent outage of the Playstation Network an "elephant in the room"?, answer: Jack Tretton, | question: What did he say about the outage?, answer: "elephant in the room" | question: What does the Launch mark?, answer: the company's biggest advance in the handheld gaming space since it introduced the Sony PSP in 2006. | question: What did Sony's U.S. president call recent outage?, answer: the "elephant in the room" | question: The launch marks Sony's biggest advance in handheld gaming since when?, answer: PSP in 2006. | question: What will the device have?, answer: a 5-inch touch screen and feature front and back-mounted cameras and touch pads in addition to a pair of mounted joysticks.
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Authorities on Saturday identified a gunman killed by police after he opened fire at passing vehicles along a downtown street in Hollywood.
But they said they don't know why Tyler Brehm, 26, went on a surreal shooting rampage captured on amateur video Friday.
The video shows Brehm walking down Sunset Boulevard, wielding a handgun and firing at vehicles, seemingly at random. Brehm fired a "significant number" of rounds, wounding three, police said.
He then returned to an intersection, where he was confronted by a plainclothes police detective and an off-duty police officer working on a nearby movie set, officials said.
"At that point the police ordered him to drop his weapon and he pointed his gun at the police and an officer-involved shooting occurred," police spokeswoman Sgt. Mitzi Fierro said on CNN.
Brehm died at a nearby hospital, a police statement said.
Christopher Johns filmed much of the five-minute scene from his apartment window and can be heard shouting at Brehm throughout.
"Why don't you come up here?" he yelled, later describing that he intended to distract the gunman.
"If people down there at point-blank range to the shooter were going to get shot, they were helpless to avoid being killed," Johns told CNN. "Me, I'm four stories up. If I can take any of his attention and divert it towards me ... I would have an opportunity to get out of the way."
"I'm screaming anything I can" in an effort to disrupt the shooting, Johns said.
At one point, Brehm spoke with Johns, asking him for ammunition and to call an ambulance.
Fierro said it appeared Johns could interact with the suspect without jeopardizing his safety.
"It appears from the video that he was able to distract the suspect and keep him from shooting at additional people before the police arrived," she said.
Police have contacted Brehm's family back east and are talking to acquaintances.
"So far we haven't been able to piece together really why he did it," Fierro told CNN Saturday evening.
Three people were injured during Friday's incident, including one man in silver Mercedes-Benz sedan who was shot multiple times in the face and upper torso, Fierro said. Two others suffered minor injuries.
The current status of the man in the car was unknown Saturday.
"We're very fortunate that more people weren't injured during this incident," Fierro said.
Witnesses were stunned by the shooting rampage.
"A car drove by and he just shot right into the car," Amy Torgeson told CNN affiliate KABC. "He was just shooting everywhere."
Torgeson said vehicles began "swerving and braking," and she sought cover at a nearby bank.
|
[
"what did the yelling prevent",
"what was the gunmans name",
"What is the age of the gunman?",
"What age was the gunman",
"Where did John film the scene from?",
"What did the man who filmed do",
"Where did the man fire from",
"Who was the gunman?",
"Where did Christopher Johns film from"
] |
[
"keep him from shooting at additional people",
"Tyler Brehm,",
"26,",
"26,",
"his apartment window",
"went on a surreal shooting rampage",
"Sunset Boulevard,",
"Tyler Brehm,",
"his apartment window"
] |
question: what did the yelling prevent, answer: keep him from shooting at additional people | question: what was the gunmans name, answer: Tyler Brehm, | question: What is the age of the gunman?, answer: 26, | question: What age was the gunman, answer: 26, | question: Where did John film the scene from?, answer: his apartment window | question: What did the man who filmed do, answer: went on a surreal shooting rampage | question: Where did the man fire from, answer: Sunset Boulevard, | question: Who was the gunman?, answer: Tyler Brehm, | question: Where did Christopher Johns film from, answer: his apartment window
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Brooke Mueller has reconsidered her decision to undergo at-home drug rehab. Instead, Charlie Sheen's ex-wife has checked into an in-patient treatment center, her spokesman said Tuesday.
Mueller was arrested in Aspen, Colorado, on December 3 and charged with assault and cocaine possession, police said.
Mueller's publicist told CNN Monday that she would "take a different approach to deal with her addiction" with a daytime rehab program and around-the-clock supervision at home.
"After further reflection and consideration, Brooke has decided to remove herself from the media spotlight and has entered a long-term in-patient treatment center where she can focus on her recovery without distraction," spokesman Steve Honig said Tuesday.
Mueller, 34, checked into the rehab facility before the announcement was made, he said.
"Brooke's goal is to maintain her sobriety and she believes this is the best option to reach that goal," Honig said.
The 2-year-old twin sons she shares with Sheen "will remain in their home and familiar surroundings and be under the care of their longtime nanny," he said.
"Charlie and Brooke's parents fully support her decision and everyone recognizes the importance of maintaining the children's normal routine," he said.
The incidents in Aspen began when a woman at the Belly Up -- a bar and performance venue there -- complained that Mueller had been "the aggressor" in an assault, Aspen police said.
Mueller was found and arrested after midnight at another bar, Escobar, police said. She was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, which is a felony, and third-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor.
She was released after posting an $11,000 bond, Aspen police said. A court date is scheduled for Monday.
Mueller has appeared as an actress in several movies, including 2004's "A Love Song for Bobby Long," according to IMDb. But she is more widely known as the ex-wife of Sheen.
The twin sons and Mueller were part of Sheen's volatile public fall-out with CBS earlier this year as he left his starring role on the network's "Two and Half Men."
She claimed in March that he'd threatened to kill her, saying, "I will cut your head off, put it in a box and send it to your mom," according to a declaration made in a restraining order against Sheen. The revelations led to a court order removing the 2-year-old boys from Sheen's home.
The actor called the allegation "colorful" and described the quote attributed to him as fabricated in an interview with NBC's "Today Show."
Mueller has sought help for substance abuse and stress-related issues in the past.
Last December, her attorney, Yale Galanter, said that she entered a sober living facility. Earlier, in April 2010, Mueller had checked into a treatment facility for help with stress management to prevent a "return to old problems," her representative said.
She was in substance abuse rehab earlier in 2010 "to get her health in order," Galanter said at the time.
The couple was involved in an alleged domestic dispute in Aspen on Christmas Day 2009 that resulted in felony charges against Sheen.
CNN's Jack Hannah contributed to this report.
|
[
"Where did Mueller face drug charges?",
"What does the ex-wife decide?",
"Where will Mueller's twin sons stay?",
"what is charlie's involvment?",
"What did mueller say?",
"where will she go to rehab?"
] |
[
"Aspen, Colorado,",
"checked into an in-patient treatment center,",
"\"will remain in their home and familiar surroundings and be under the care of their longtime nanny,\"",
"he'd threatened to kill her,",
"\"take a different approach to deal with her addiction\"",
"in-patient treatment center,"
] |
question: Where did Mueller face drug charges?, answer: Aspen, Colorado, | question: What does the ex-wife decide?, answer: checked into an in-patient treatment center, | question: Where will Mueller's twin sons stay?, answer: "will remain in their home and familiar surroundings and be under the care of their longtime nanny," | question: what is charlie's involvment?, answer: he'd threatened to kill her, | question: What did mueller say?, answer: "take a different approach to deal with her addiction" | question: where will she go to rehab?, answer: in-patient treatment center,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Face-to-face questioning of potential jurors to hear the case against Michael Jackson's doctor began in a packed Los Angeles courtroom Friday morning, four days ahead of the opening statements and testimony.
The pool of 84 potential jurors in court appeared diverse, although only six were African-American.
Each side will be allowed 10 "peremptory challenges," allowing them to get rid of jurors without stating a reason.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers mutually agreed in closed-door sessions Wednesday and Thursday on which potential jurors in a pool of 145 were too biased to put their prejudices aside to decide if Dr. Conrad Murray is criminally responsible for the pop icon's death, according to Murray defense lawyer Michael Flanagan.
"Both sides just want to get a fair jury that hasn't made up their mind and is willing to make a decision based upon the facts," Flanagan said after Thursday's jury selection session.
Lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff said there were no surprising reasons for striking jurors "for cause," and the pool was filled with people who could be open-minded. "Time ameliorates things," Chernoff said.
Flanagan predicted Thursday afternoon that Friday's jury selection would "go very fast."
While most judges allow defense lawyers an hour to question potential jurors, Pastor is allowing just 20 minutes for each side, Flanagan said.
"Twenty minutes is a pretty short period of time," Flanagan said. "You can't say 'hi' to everybody in 20 minutes."
It is expected 12 jurors and six alternates will be chosen by the end of court Friday.
Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death, would face up to four years in prison if the jury finds him guilty.
The "for cause" strikes were based mostly on written answers potential jurors gave to 113 questions earlier this month.
Lawyers had a week to study the questionnaire responses, a process they went through once before in April before the trial was delayed for several months.
"One of the things that we learned in the case the last go-around in the jury selection, it's absolutely shocking how many jurors think already they know everything about this case," Chernoff said in an interview last week with Jean Casarez, a reporter with CNN sister network In Session.
Opening statements for the trial, which will be televised, are scheduled for September 27. The judge told members of the jury pool he expects their service will be over on or about October 28.
The Los Angeles coroner has ruled that Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, was caused by an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol combined with other drugs.
Prosecutors have accused Murray, who served as Jackson's personal and full-time physician at the time, of having a role in the overdose.
They contend Murray used a makeshift intravenous drip to administer propofol intended to help Jackson sleep, a practice they argue violated the standard of care and led to the pop music icon's death.
|
[
"What did michael flanagan say?",
"What is the name of the defense lawyer?",
"When will jury selection be wrapped up?",
"what is expected to be wrapped up Friday?",
"what is 84 potential jurors?",
"How many remain in the jury pool?",
"What day are opening statements set for?",
"what is going to go very fast?",
"How many potential jurors remain?"
] |
[
"\"Both sides just want to get a fair jury that hasn't made up their mind and is willing to make a decision based upon the facts,\"",
"Michael Flanagan.",
"by the end of court Friday.",
"the case against Michael Jackson's",
"diverse,",
"84",
"September 27.",
"Friday's jury selection",
"84"
] |
question: What did michael flanagan say?, answer: "Both sides just want to get a fair jury that hasn't made up their mind and is willing to make a decision based upon the facts," | question: What is the name of the defense lawyer?, answer: Michael Flanagan. | question: When will jury selection be wrapped up?, answer: by the end of court Friday. | question: what is expected to be wrapped up Friday?, answer: the case against Michael Jackson's | question: what is 84 potential jurors?, answer: diverse, | question: How many remain in the jury pool?, answer: 84 | question: What day are opening statements set for?, answer: September 27. | question: what is going to go very fast?, answer: Friday's jury selection | question: How many potential jurors remain?, answer: 84
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- For the first time in U.S. history, the largest single group of poor children in any racial or ethnic category is Hispanic, according to a new survey.
Calling it "a negative milestone" in Hispanics' explosive growth in the United States, the Pew Hispanic Center study said in 2010, 37.3% of poor children in the U.S. were Hispanic, compared with 30.5% white and 26.6% black.
The Pew analysis of new census data put the number of Hispanic children in poverty at 6.1 million in 2010.
This negative trend has emerged as the 2010 census confirmed for the first time that Hispanics are the nation's No. 2 group, surpassing African-Americans.
Hispanics now make up 16.3% of the total American population -- but in the youth demographic, Hispanic kids comprise an even bigger share -- 23.1% of U.S. children are Latino, the study said.
See how Hispanics drove the growth of the white population
The study found there are 6.1 million Latino children living in poverty, and more than two-thirds of them -- 4.1 million -- are children of immigrant parents. Of those 4.1 million, 86% were born in America, the study said.
The remaining 2 million poor Latino children have U.S.-born parents, the study said.
Prior to the recession, more white children lived in poverty than Latino kids, but since the recession began in 2007, those positions reversed, and the number of poor Hispanic children grew by 36.3% between 2007 and 2010, or 1.6 million, the study said.
The number of white and black children in poverty also grew, but not as big, the study found.
See how the white population changed in relation to minorities
The recession hit Latino families hard: the unemployment rate among Hispanic workers is 11.1%, compared with a national rate of 9.1%, and the household wealth for Latinos fell more sharply than for white or black families between 2005 and 2009, the study said.
Food insecurity also grew among Latinos, with one-third of households facing the problem in 2008, up from 23.8% the prior year, the study said.
Leaders of programs serving the poor said Thursday their experiences match the study's findings, which was released Wednesday.
In his twice-a-month acts of charity, Reverend Carlos Paiva has noticed the increasing number of Latino youngsters who arrive with their families at his Angelica Lutheran Church near downtown Los Angeles.
The church gives free rice, beans, potatoes, onions and fruits to needy families, he said.
"The numbers are growing," Paiva said about Latino kids who show up at the church with their families. "The average age of the people who come here for food is 10 years old."
Michael Flood, CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, said his group's recent summer lunch program for poor children saw "a lot more kids from the Latino community."
"It worries us," Flood said. "Given the fact that the economy hasn't turned around, it's a more desperate deal."
Victor Martinez, director of programming at Bienestar, a nonprofit that runs nine health community centers in southern California for Latinos, said he was "sad and disappointed to see that my community is facing these problems."
"Especially for the more recent immigrants, they have more limited resources to work. We have more requests to go to the food bank and housing," Martinez said.
|
[
"Who is in poverty?",
"What is the number of Latinos children who live in poverty in 2010?",
"Who were living in poverty?",
"Who lived in poverty?",
"What does the report reflect?",
"Who confirmed the report?",
"Who lives in more poverty?"
] |
[
"Hispanic children",
"6.1 million",
"Hispanic children",
"Hispanic children",
"Prior to the recession, more white children lived in poverty than Latino kids, but since the recession began in 2007, those positions reversed, and the number of poor Hispanic children grew by 36.3% between 2007 and 2010, or 1.6 million, the study said.",
"2010 census",
"6.1 million Latino children"
] |
question: Who is in poverty?, answer: Hispanic children | question: What is the number of Latinos children who live in poverty in 2010?, answer: 6.1 million | question: Who were living in poverty?, answer: Hispanic children | question: Who lived in poverty?, answer: Hispanic children | question: What does the report reflect?, answer: Prior to the recession, more white children lived in poverty than Latino kids, but since the recession began in 2007, those positions reversed, and the number of poor Hispanic children grew by 36.3% between 2007 and 2010, or 1.6 million, the study said. | question: Who confirmed the report?, answer: 2010 census | question: Who lives in more poverty?, answer: 6.1 million Latino children
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Four southern California teenagers have been charged following the apparent drug overdose death of an 18-year-old high school quarterback whose father is a retired NFL player, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Saturday.
Three of the teens have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Griffen Kramer, son of former pro quarterback Erik Kramer, who played for several NFL teams including the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, officials said.
Griffen Kramer played quarterback at Thousand Oaks High School, which lists him as a 6-foot 210-pound senior.
Kramer was found dead October 30 in a friend's bedroom in Agoura Hills, the sheriff's office said in a statement.
That friend, David Nemberg, 19, of Agoura Hills, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance, authorities said.
After investigating several of Kramer's acquaintances who were involved in narcotics-related activities, police also charged Corey Baumann, 19, also of Agoura Hills, with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance for sales, the sheriff's office said.
Baumann and Nemberg were each released in lieu of a $125,000 bail, authorities said.
The two other accused teenagers are minors, whose names weren't released, the sheriff's office said.
A 17-year-old boy from Oak Park, California, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance, the sheriff's office said. He is being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall without bail, authorities said.
Investigators found "deplorable" living conditions during the search of the boy's home and took five children from the residence into protective custody, said authorities.
The fourth teen, also a 17-year-old boy, of Agoura Hills, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, the sheriff's office said. He was released to his parents' custody, according to police.
Police allege Griffen, Nemberg and a juvenile met at Sumac Park in Agoura Hills on October 29 and drove to a nearby cul-de-sac, where Griffen injected narcotics, causing him to instantly become ill and unconscious, authorities said.
Nemberg allegedly dragged the unconscious Griffen into his car and then drove him around the area, police said.
Nemberg called acquaintances and asked them if he could drive to their residences, but they told him no because their parents were home, police said.
Nemberg allegedly took a still unconscious Griffen to Nemberg's home, authorities said.
He didn't seek medical attention for Griffen until the next morning, when Nemberg woke up and saw Griffen was still unconscious, authorities alleged.
"He woke up the following morning and called 911 because Griffen was unresponsive," Sheriff's Sgt. Barry Hall said in a statement.
Griffen was believed to have been dead for several hours before Nemberg made the call, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
Investigators believe Griffen had likely died from an overdose, but "we're still waiting for a toxicology results to determine the ultimate cause of death," Hall said.
CNN's Michael Martinez contributed to this report.
|
[
"What did police say?",
"For how long was Kramer dead?",
"whats One allegedly keeps an unconscious Kramer overnight before calling police?",
"What is Griffen Kramer's age?"
] |
[
"Nemberg allegedly dragged the unconscious Griffen into his car and then drove him around the area,",
"several hours",
"David Nemberg,",
"18-year-old"
] |
question: What did police say?, answer: Nemberg allegedly dragged the unconscious Griffen into his car and then drove him around the area, | question: For how long was Kramer dead?, answer: several hours | question: whats One allegedly keeps an unconscious Kramer overnight before calling police?, answer: David Nemberg, | question: What is Griffen Kramer's age?, answer: 18-year-old
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was murdered as she was driving through Beverly Hills, California, in a random "robbery gone bad," by a man who killed himself last week, according to preliminary findings in the Beverly Hills police investigation.
Speculation that Chasen was targeted by a professional hit was shot down Wednesday by investigators who said much of what has been reported by the media since her killing three weeks was untrue.
Harold Martin Smith, 43, was apparently riding his bicycle when he shot Chasen several times as she was on her way home from a Hollywood movie premiere party, police said.
Smith later committed suicide with the same gun that was used in the Chasen killing, Beverly Hills Police Chief David Snowden said Wednesday. Smith shot himself in the head last week as police approached him for questioning as "a person of interest" while he was at his Hollywood apartment building.
A preliminary ballistics test showed that Smith's gun was used in the slaying of Chasen, 64, said Beverly Hills Detective Sgt. Mike Publicker.
"With Mr. Smith's background, we believe most likely it was a robbery gone bad," Publicker said. "We believe it was a random act."
Publicker said it appeared no connection existed between Chasen and Smith prior to slaying.
"The detectives were able to do numerous interviews and through the information obtained in the interviews, it appears that he did act alone," Publicker said. "We believe his mode of transportation was by bicycle."
Authorities said the investigation, which is 60% to 70% complete, remains ongoing.
"There are additional interviews to be conducted, but this is our belief at this time," Publicker said.
"Carjackings are not unusual in Los Angeles, but "in our city it's more than exceedingly rare," said Chief Snowden of Beverly Hills. "It's non-existent."
"We don't believe it was a professional hit, and this is an open and ongoing investigation," Snowden said.
Smith, an ex-convict, pulled a handgun and shot himself as Beverly Hills detectives approached him at Hollywood's Harvey Apartments last Wednesday.
The television show "America's Most Wanted" put police in touch with a tipster who will likely received a $125,000 reward, Publicker said.
|
[
"who is harold martin smith",
"What do preliminary tests show?",
"Where was Chasen driving her car?",
"Who did Smith try to rob?",
"Who was the suicide victim?",
"What did preliminary tests show?",
"where is beverly hills"
] |
[
"an ex-convict,",
"Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was murdered as she was driving through Beverly",
"Hills, California,",
"Ronni Chasen",
"Harold Martin Smith,",
"\"robbery gone bad,\"",
"California,"
] |
question: who is harold martin smith, answer: an ex-convict, | question: What do preliminary tests show?, answer: Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was murdered as she was driving through Beverly | question: Where was Chasen driving her car?, answer: Hills, California, | question: Who did Smith try to rob?, answer: Ronni Chasen | question: Who was the suicide victim?, answer: Harold Martin Smith, | question: What did preliminary tests show?, answer: "robbery gone bad," | question: where is beverly hills, answer: California,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- It's the end of the R.E.M. as we know them and they feel fine, according to a statement from the group posted online Wednesday.
"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band," the message said. "We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening."
Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry started playing alternative rock together in Athens, Georgia, in 1980, but their first hit single came with "The One I Love" in 1987.
"It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" followed from the same "Document" album, securing their mainstream radio appeal.
Front man Michael Stipe declined to be interviewed by CNN Wednesday about the decision to disband, which comes six months after the release of "Collapse into Now," their final album.
Stipe, in a CNN interview in June, said the members "surprised ourselves with this record. We're all really thrilled with it."
He and his fellow band members did offer comments on their website.
"During our last tour, and while making 'Collapse Into Now' and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'what next'?" Stipe said. "Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together."
Michael Mills said it was not an easy decision.
"A wise man once said 'The skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave,' Mills said. "We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it."
Peter Buck said the band members "walk away as great friends"
"I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years," Buck said. "Even if it's only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of the club: watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world."
|
[
"Who says \"We built something extraordinary together\"",
"Band membes walk away as great what?",
"What kind of journey was it?",
"what did mike mills say",
"who says that three decades of work was a hell of a journey",
"what do band members do",
"What does Buck say"
] |
[
"Michael Mills",
"friends\"",
"a hell of a",
"\"A wise man once said 'The skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave,'",
"Michael Stipe",
"\"surprised ourselves with this record.",
"the band members \"walk away as great friends\""
] |
question: Who says "We built something extraordinary together", answer: Michael Mills | question: Band membes walk away as great what?, answer: friends" | question: What kind of journey was it?, answer: a hell of a | question: what did mike mills say, answer: "A wise man once said 'The skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave,' | question: who says that three decades of work was a hell of a journey, answer: Michael Stipe | question: what do band members do, answer: "surprised ourselves with this record. | question: What does Buck say, answer: the band members "walk away as great friends"
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Lindsay Lohan must start serving a 30-day jail term next week after admitting that she violated her probation on a necklace theft conviction, a Los Angeles County judge ordered Wednesday.
"It's possible she could be booked in and booked out" the same day, Los Angeles County Sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore said Wednesday afternoon.
"It depends on the fluctuations of the day, what's going on in the jail," Whitmore said.
After that, the actress must work at least 12 days a month at the county morgue until she completes the 53 remaining days on her court-ordered community service and she must attend 18 psychotherapy sessions, Judge Stephanie Sautner told her.
If Lohan misses any of those goals, she will be returned to jail for another 270 days, the judge ruled.
"This is what we really call putting the keys to the jail in the defendant's hands," Sautner told Lohan.
The actress, who admitted violating her probation during a hearing Wednesday, must report to the Los Angeles County jail by November 9, the judge said.
"You are not to get house arrest or early release, except for that required by the law," Sautner said.
Whitmore said that the early release program is part of the law, meaning Lohan would likely get out quickly due to overcrowding.
When Sautner sentenced Lohan to 120 days in jail last May, she ended up serving 35 days of home confinement instead, due to jail overcrowding and state rules that give prisoners credit for good behavior.
It was not immediately clear how many days Lohan will actually serve this month, if she ends up getting credit for good behavior.
Prosecutors said Lohan missed 12 of 20 scheduled workdays at a downtown Los Angeles women's center, part of the court-ordered community service imposed in May when she pleaded guilty to stealing a necklace from a Venice, California, jewelry store.
Lohan, 25, was already on probation for two drunken driving convictions from 2007.
She also canceled 14 of 19 scheduled appointments for court-ordered psychotherapy, they said.
"From what I see of you, you need a structure," Sautner told Lohan Wednesday, instructing her to return to court each month, starting December 14, to show she is complying with the schedule.
If the actress stays on track, her probation would be eased on March 29, 2012, Sautner said. If she doesn't keep up with the requirements, she will serve the additional 270 days behind bars, the judge said.
The full sentence imposed Wednesday was 150 days for the necklace theft probation violation and 150 days for violating probation on the 2007 drunk driving conviction in Beverly Hills.
While the original sentence included 360 hours of community service at a downtown Los Angeles women's center, the judge said she did not want to put the Skid Row charity through the pain of Lohan again.
When the judge called The Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women, the charity refused to take Lohan on as a worker "saying you were a bad example," Sautner said.
But Lohan seemed to find a good fit with her work at the Los Angeles County morgue, where Deputy Chief Coroner Ed Winter said she worked four days in the past two weeks cleaning up.
Lohan reports for morgue duty
"So, the morgue is willing to keep you," the judge said.
All of her community service work has been transferred there, she said.
Two weeks ago, the actress' father, Michael Lohan, told HLN's "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell" program that his daughter shouldn't be in jail, but in rehab.
Last week, Michael Lohan was arrested twice in two days for violating a court order to stay away from his former girlfriend. CNN learned Wednesday that he is now in an "administrative confinement" cell in the infirmary section of Orient Road jail in Tampa, Florida, where he's awaiting trial.
Michael Lohan arrested
Lindsay Lohan's legal woes, which began four years ago with two drunk driving arrests,
|
[
"Who could be booked in and out the same day?",
"When will she be booked?",
"What timeframe will she be booked?",
"What did the judge tell her?",
"Who would keep her?",
"Who said she cannot be released on home confinement?",
"How long will she serve if she voilates again?",
"What might she serve?"
] |
[
"Lindsay Lohan",
"the same day,",
"the same day,",
"the actress must work at least 12 days a month at the county morgue until she completes the 53 remaining days on",
"the morgue",
"Whitmore",
"270 days,",
"30-day jail term"
] |
question: Who could be booked in and out the same day?, answer: Lindsay Lohan | question: When will she be booked?, answer: the same day, | question: What timeframe will she be booked?, answer: the same day, | question: What did the judge tell her?, answer: the actress must work at least 12 days a month at the county morgue until she completes the 53 remaining days on | question: Who would keep her?, answer: the morgue | question: Who said she cannot be released on home confinement?, answer: Whitmore | question: How long will she serve if she voilates again?, answer: 270 days, | question: What might she serve?, answer: 30-day jail term
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Lindsay Lohan's judge apparently is so pleased with how well the actress is complying with her probation requirements in the past six weeks that she's giving her more freedom to travel.
"Ms. Lohan, you've actually done well and done it not only on time but early," Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner said during a five-minute-long hearing Wednesday.
Lohan worked 12 days at the county morgue and took part in five psychotherapy sessions over the past month as ordered, Sautner said.
"The morgue seems to be pleased, as pleased as a morgue can be," Sautner said.
The judge offered an incentive for Lohan to finish her monthly community service work early: She can travel freely around the United States after she completes her required 12 morgue shifts between court dates.
If Lohan keeps up her compliance and completes 41 more days at the morgue -- 12 shifts each month -- and four sessions with a psychologist per month, the actress will have her supervised probation eased at the end of March.
If she fails, she will serve an additional 270 days behind bars, the judge warned her last month.
"This is what we really call putting the keys to the jail in the defendant's hands," Sautner told Lohan.
Lohan was found in violation of her probation last month when she admitted that she failed to comply with Sautner's earlier order that she work at a women's shelter. Her punishment -- a 30-day jail sentence -- translated into just a few hours behind bars because of measures to reduce overcrowding in Los Angeles County jails.
The atmosphere at Wednesday's status hearing was much lighter than in any previous appearances before Sautner.
When Lohan's attorney, Shawn Holley, asked the judge if Lohan was required to be in court January 17 for the next status hearing, Sautner said, "If I say no, she won't complete everything. I'm just saying."
The judge's next comment made Lohan lower her face into her hands, laughing.
"I think she likes to come here and see me," Sautner said. "I think that's a motivation for her."
The judge said Lohan's trip to Hawaii over the past week was approved by her probation officer because of "some confusion" about her travel restrictions.
She is permitted to travel outside California only for holidays and work, she said.
"She thought your sister's birthday was a holiday and said she could go to Hawaii," Sautner said. "I don't have a problem with it."
Lohan missed her flight back home from her Hawaiian vacation Monday, causing her to miss Tuesday's taping of an appearance on "Ellen." The chat with talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres was the only planned interview to promote Lohan's nude photo spread published this week in Playboy magazine.
The court-ordered community service is part of Lohan's sentence imposed in May when she pleaded guilty to stealing a necklace from a Venice, California, jewelry store.
Lohan was already on probation for two drunken driving convictions from 2007.
"From what I see of you, you need a structure," Sautner told Lohan last month, instructing her to return to court each month to show she is complying with the schedule.
Lohan's legal woes, which began four years ago with two drunken driving arrests, have been compounded by her failure to attend counseling classes and alcohol and drug test failures.
Her probation is scheduled to end within a year unless Lohan breaks any laws before then. It has been extended several times because of violations, including the failed alcohol and drug tests.
CNN's Jack Hannah contributed to this report.
|
[
"who is Lindsay Lohan?",
"Who has done well on probation?",
"What is pleased with Lohan?",
"What does Lohan do 12 shifts at?",
"What did the judge do?",
"When will Lohan be eased?"
] |
[
"actress",
"Lindsay Lohan's",
"judge",
"county morgue",
"offered an incentive for Lohan",
"end of March."
] |
question: who is Lindsay Lohan?, answer: actress | question: Who has done well on probation?, answer: Lindsay Lohan's | question: What is pleased with Lohan?, answer: judge | question: What does Lohan do 12 shifts at?, answer: county morgue | question: What did the judge do?, answer: offered an incentive for Lohan | question: When will Lohan be eased?, answer: end of March.
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Lindsay Lohan's need for a better toothpaste should not outshine more important issues "such as homelessness, lack of funding for public education and relations between America and its allies," the actress's rep said Friday.
Steve Honig was responding to online buzz about a close up photo of Lohan's teeth that appear to show stains that bloggers blame on her love of red wine and cigarettes.
"Lindsay is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful women on the planet, and is regularly sought-after by some of the top photographers in the world to appear on covers of magazines around the globe," Honig said in a statement to CNN.
Not to mention the many paparazzi that hound Lohan through the streets of Los Angeles.
"There are so many more important issues the media should be focusing on, such as homelessness, lack of funding for public education and relations between America and its allies," Honig said.
Stained teeth, however, is not Lohan's biggest concern now. She is due back in court Wednesday morning for a status hearing before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Saunter.
Judge Saunter will check on her progress in meeting the community service and psychological counseling requirements she imposed last summer when she sentenced Lohan to probation for stealing a necklace from a Venice, California, jewelry store.
As with Lohan's smile, there are online reports that her record of probation compliance is stained and that Lohan again faces jail time.
But Frank Mateljan, spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney, said that while he has seen the reports the matter "not risen to the level of having our office involved yet."
The probation office and the court have not contacted the prosecutor on the case about it, Mateljan said.
Lohan lawyer Shawn Holley would not comment on the reports.
|
[
"What did the tabloid photo show?",
"What did Lohan's rep say?",
"What did the rep say?",
"what did lohan's rep say about her",
"When does she return to court?",
"What did the photo show?",
"when will she return to court"
] |
[
"Lohan's teeth",
"\"There are so many more important issues the media should be focusing on, such as homelessness, lack of funding for public education and relations between America and its allies,\"",
"Lindsay Lohan's need for a better toothpaste should not outshine more important",
"Lindsay",
"Wednesday morning",
"Lohan's teeth",
"Wednesday morning"
] |
question: What did the tabloid photo show?, answer: Lohan's teeth | question: What did Lohan's rep say?, answer: "There are so many more important issues the media should be focusing on, such as homelessness, lack of funding for public education and relations between America and its allies," | question: What did the rep say?, answer: Lindsay Lohan's need for a better toothpaste should not outshine more important | question: what did lohan's rep say about her, answer: Lindsay | question: When does she return to court?, answer: Wednesday morning | question: What did the photo show?, answer: Lohan's teeth | question: when will she return to court, answer: Wednesday morning
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Lindsay Lohan's nude photo spread for Playboy is helping the men's magazine break sales records, according to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.
CNN calls to a dozen newsstands in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Atlanta Sunday found just one that is sold out of the issue, and that store expected more to arrive Monday.
Lohan, 25, was reportedly paid close to $1 million to pose for the photos taken in a style reminiscent of the nude photograph of Marilyn Monroe that graced the debut issue of Playboy in 1953.
Unlike Lohan, Monroe was reportedly paid just $50 for the 1949 photo shoot that produced the image that was bought by Hefner after she became a star.
"The Lindsay Lohan January-February Double Issue is breaking sales records," Hefner said in a message posted on his Twitter account Sunday.
A Playboy spokesman would not give sales numbers, but the official did say it was selling "very well."
The Playboy gig was a rare moneymaking opportunity for Lohan, whose acting career has been hampered in the past two years by frequent trips to court, probation restrictions, extended drug rehab stints and several visits to jail.
Her legal woes stem from two drunken-driving convictions in 2007, a necklace theft conviction in 2011 and several probation violations.
CNN's JD Cargill and David Daniel contributed to this report.
|
[
"how much does lohan earn?",
"How many newsstands?",
"How much did she earn?",
"what keeps the actress off the big screen?",
"What keeps her off the big screen?",
"What did the Playboy official say?"
] |
[
"$1 million",
"dozen",
"close to $1 million",
"frequent trips to court, probation restrictions, extended drug rehab stints and several visits to jail.",
"frequent trips to court, probation restrictions, extended drug rehab stints and several visits to jail.",
"it was selling \"very well.\""
] |
question: how much does lohan earn?, answer: $1 million | question: How many newsstands?, answer: dozen | question: How much did she earn?, answer: close to $1 million | question: what keeps the actress off the big screen?, answer: frequent trips to court, probation restrictions, extended drug rehab stints and several visits to jail. | question: What keeps her off the big screen?, answer: frequent trips to court, probation restrictions, extended drug rehab stints and several visits to jail. | question: What did the Playboy official say?, answer: it was selling "very well."
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's fear that promoters would "pull the plug" on his comeback concerts if he missed more rehearsals was unfounded, the head of the promotion company testified Tuesday in Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial.
"No one on our end was ever contemplating pulling the plug," said Randy Phillips, the head of AEG Live.
Murray's defense lawyers contend Jackson self-administered the overdose of drugs that killed him in a "desperate desire to get to sleep," because he feared without rest he would miss his next rehearsal and trigger the cancellation of his "This Is It" tour.
Jackson's mother, Katherine, sisters Janet and La Toya, and brother Randy Jackson were in court to watch Tuesday's testimony.
Earlier Tuesday, a nurse who tried to treat Jackson's insomnia with natural remedies testified that Jackson told her that doctors assured him using the surgical anesthetic propofol at home to induce sleep was safe as long as he was monitored.
Jackson died two months after that conversation with nurse Cherilyn Lee, from what the coroner ruled was an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol, combined with sedatives.
Prosecutors contend Dr. Murray's use of propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia in his home was reckless, in part because he did not have proper equipment to monitor his patient and he abandoned him to make phone calls.
Phillips was the eighth witness called by the defense since the prosecution rested its case against Murray Monday morning.
If the tour was canceled, Jackson would have to pay for all of the production and rehearsal costs, Phillips said, although the judge would not let him tell jurors how much that might have been.
Defense lawyer Ed Chernoff estimated the cost to be about $40 million, leaving him "a very, very poor man," but it was not while the jury was present.
Concert director Kenny Ortega sent Phillips an e-mail five days before Jackson's death referring to Jackson's fear the company would "pull the plug" on the tour. The e-mail triggered a meeting with Jackson and Dr. Murray to address Ortega's concerns about Jackson's "lack of focus" and missed rehearsals, with the debut of his London shows just three weeks away.
He and Ortega were satisfied when Jackson told them "You build the house and I will put on the door and paint it," suggesting he would be ready, Phillips testified.
Also at the meeting, Phillips told Dr. Murray that he wanted to make sure he knew about Jackson's visits to another doctor, dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein. "Because he's his principal physician, I thought he should know," he said.
Phillips said he was concerned because Jackson "seemed a little distracted and not focused" in a meeting after a visit to Klein's Beverly Hills clinic.
The defense contends Jackson became addicted to the painkiller Demerol in his frequent visits to Klein in the three months before his death. His withdrawal from the Demerol, which Murray was unaware of, would explain why Jackson could not sleep the day he died, the defense contends.
Testimony from nurse Cherilyn Lee's was interrupted for 25 minutes Tuesday as she was overcome with emotion. "I'm feeling really, really dizzy," Lee said. "This is just very sensitive to me."
Lee and a Los Angeles doctor, both called as defense witnesses, testified that Jackson asked them for drugs to help him sleep in April 2009. This was after Dr. Murray had already agreed to work as his personal physician and placed his first orders for propofol.
Lee, who used IV drips loaded with vitamins, "sophisticated" vitamin smoothies and bedtime teas, to treat Jackson's insomnia, said Jackson became frustrated with her natural remedies.
"He said 'I'm telling you the only thing that's going to help me sleep right away is the Diprivan and can you find someone to help me to sleep?'" Lee said. Diprivan is a brand name for propofol.
After some quick research, the nurse warned Jackson that it was dangerous to use
|
[
"What are the names of Jackson's sisters?",
"Which item did the doctors say was safe in the home?",
"what did jackson tell the nurse",
"Who attended court?",
"what would jackson have had to pay",
"What costs would Jackson have incurred if the tour was cancelled?",
"who attended court on tuesday",
"Who assured Jackson that propofol was safe?"
] |
[
"Janet and La Toya,",
"the surgical anesthetic propofol",
"doctors assured him using the surgical anesthetic propofol at home to induce sleep was safe as long as he was monitored.",
"Jackson's mother, Katherine, sisters Janet and La Toya, and brother Randy Jackson",
"all of the production and rehearsal costs,",
"production and rehearsal",
"Jackson's mother, Katherine, sisters Janet",
"doctors"
] |
question: What are the names of Jackson's sisters?, answer: Janet and La Toya, | question: Which item did the doctors say was safe in the home?, answer: the surgical anesthetic propofol | question: what did jackson tell the nurse, answer: doctors assured him using the surgical anesthetic propofol at home to induce sleep was safe as long as he was monitored. | question: Who attended court?, answer: Jackson's mother, Katherine, sisters Janet and La Toya, and brother Randy Jackson | question: what would jackson have had to pay, answer: all of the production and rehearsal costs, | question: What costs would Jackson have incurred if the tour was cancelled?, answer: production and rehearsal | question: who attended court on tuesday, answer: Jackson's mother, Katherine, sisters Janet | question: Who assured Jackson that propofol was safe?, answer: doctors
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's mother says she's hoping Dr. Conrad Murray will get the harshest sentence possible, four years in a state prison, in the death of her son.
"I don't believe that he intended for Michael to die," Katherine Jackson told CNN Monday. "He was just taking a chance."
A jury found Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter three weeks ago, and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor set Tuesday for his sentencing.
Pastor, who sent Murray directly to jail after he was convicted this month, has a choice ranging between probation and up to four years in a state prison. But measures to relieve California prison and jail crowding could significantly shorten his time locked up.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Murray's reckless use of the surgical anesthetic propofol to help Jackson sleep, without proper monitoring equipment, led to the pop icon's death.
Testimony during his trial revealed that Murray gave propofol nearly every night in the two months before the singer's death on June 25, 2009, as Jackson prepared for his comeback concerts set for London the next month.
Katherine Jackson and several of her children will be in court for the sentencing Tuesday, but her grandchildren Prince, Paris and Blanket will not. They'll be at school, she said.
She was uncertain whether anyone from the family would speak in court, but she was interviewed by a probation officer who will include her thoughts in the report to the judge, Jackson said.
Murray's elderly mother, Milta Rush, wrote a letter to the judge asking for mercy, saying "his compassion and his soft heartedness for others led to this dilemma."
Prosecutors are asking for the maximum four years behind bars, and they want Murray to pay Jackson's children more than $100 million in restitution. Defense lawyers want probation, not prison time.
Each side will have a chance to present oral arguments Tuesday, but their positions were detailed in sentencing memos filed with the judge last week.
Murray has "displayed a complete lack of remorse" about Jackson's death, and is, "even worse, failing to accept even the slightest level of responsibility," deputy district attorneys David Walgren and Deborah Brazil wrote.
The prosecutors cited Murray's decision not to testify in his own defense, even while he was giving interviews for a documentary that aired days after the verdict.
"In each of these interviews, the defendant has very clearly stated that he bears no responsibility for Michael Jackson's death," the prosecutors said. "Moreover, the defendant has continued to express concern only for his individual plight and portrays himself, not the decedent, as the victim."
"I don't feel guilty because I did not do anything wrong," Murray said in the documentary quoted by the prosecution.
"Finally, the defendant consistently blames the victim for his own death, even going so far as to characterize himself as being 'entrapped' by the victim and as someone who suffered a 'betrayal' at the hands of the victim," the prosecutors said.
Jackson's death came as he was preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London, which the defense argued pressured the singer to seek sleep or risk having the concerts canceled.
The prosecutors contend in their sentencing memo that Murray should be ordered to pay Jackson's three children restitution for the subsequent "wage and profits lost," as provided under California's "victim's bill of rights" law.
The singer's "estate estimates Michael Jackson's projected earnings for the 50-show O2 concert series to be $100,000,000," the prosecutors said.
With nearly $2 million in funeral expenses and 10% interest added each year, the prosecution is asking Pastor to order Murray to pay Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson more than $120 million in restitution.
While it is doubtful that Murray, who is unlikely to ever practice medicine again, could pay much of that sum, it could prevent him from reaping financial benefits from any books, interviews or film projects in the future.
Defense lawyers,
|
[
"What is in a report prepared for the judge?",
"What sentence could Murray get?",
"What term in prison could he get?",
"What did Murray's mother say?"
] |
[
"her thoughts",
"possible, four years in a state prison,",
"up to four years",
"\"his compassion and his soft heartedness for others led to this dilemma.\""
] |
question: What is in a report prepared for the judge?, answer: her thoughts | question: What sentence could Murray get?, answer: possible, four years in a state prison, | question: What term in prison could he get?, answer: up to four years | question: What did Murray's mother say?, answer: "his compassion and his soft heartedness for others led to this dilemma."
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's three children will use their father's shoes and sequined glove to make handprint and footprint impressions in the concrete in front of Hollywood's renowned Grauman's Chinese Theatre this month, Jackson's estate announced Thursday.
The January 26 ceremony is part of the promotion for the Los Angeles debut of Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour."
Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson have been more public in recent months, a contrast to their lives before their father's 2009 death when they were shielded from public view.
The children attended the premiere of the traveling Cirque du Soleil show with their grandmother, Katherine Jackson, in October.
The "Immortal" show is touring the United States and Canada through this year before taking up residency in Las Vegas.
Show biz legends who left their handprints and footprints in Grauman's concrete courtyard on Hollywood Boulevard include Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Sidney Poitier, Clark Gable and Mary Pickford. The tradition started in 1928, just a year after the historic theater opened.
Michael Jackson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star is on the sidewalk in front of the theater.
|
[
"What was the January 26 ceremony?",
"Where is Michael Jackson's Walk of Fame star?",
"Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland also immortalized where?",
"Where is Michael Jackson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star?",
"Whose is THE IMMORTAL World Tour?",
"Who was immortalized at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre?",
"Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson to take part in the ceremony on what date?"
] |
[
"part of the promotion for the Los Angeles debut of Cirque du Soleil's \"Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour.\"",
"on the sidewalk in front of the theater.",
"Grauman's concrete courtyard on Hollywood Boulevard",
"in front of",
"Cirque du Soleil's",
"Michael Jackson's",
"January 26"
] |
question: What was the January 26 ceremony?, answer: part of the promotion for the Los Angeles debut of Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour." | question: Where is Michael Jackson's Walk of Fame star?, answer: on the sidewalk in front of the theater. | question: Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland also immortalized where?, answer: Grauman's concrete courtyard on Hollywood Boulevard | question: Where is Michael Jackson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star?, answer: in front of | question: Whose is THE IMMORTAL World Tour?, answer: Cirque du Soleil's | question: Who was immortalized at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre?, answer: Michael Jackson's | question: Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson to take part in the ceremony on what date?, answer: January 26
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Nick Cannon checked out of a Los Angeles hospital over the weekend after being treated for "mild kidney failure" suffered in Aspen, Colorado, over the holidays, his rep said.
"He is resting and recovering at home and would like to thank everyone who has expressed concern, well wishes and prayers," Tracy Nguyen said Monday.
Cannon will be back on the air with his New York morning radio show next week, Nguyen said.
The 31-year-old actor and "America's Got Talent" host tweeted last Wednesday that he was leaving an Aspen hospital for one in Los Angeles.
"Thank you all for all your love, prayers and concern. You know me ... I will be a'ight," Cannon said in his tweet.
Cannon and Mariah Carey were vacationing in Aspen with their twins, Monroe and Moroccan, when he fell ill last month.
CNN's Anisa Husain contributed to this report.
|
[
"What did the rep say",
"What was interrupted",
"who would be returning to his New York radio show next week",
"where will he return next week",
"When does he return",
"what interrupted Cannon's Colorado holiday",
"who is resting at home"
] |
[
"\"He is resting and recovering at home and would like to thank everyone who has expressed concern, well wishes and prayers,\"",
"vacationing in Aspen",
"Nick Cannon",
"back on the air with his New York morning radio show",
"next week,",
"\"mild kidney failure\"",
"Nick Cannon"
] |
question: What did the rep say, answer: "He is resting and recovering at home and would like to thank everyone who has expressed concern, well wishes and prayers," | question: What was interrupted, answer: vacationing in Aspen | question: who would be returning to his New York radio show next week, answer: Nick Cannon | question: where will he return next week, answer: back on the air with his New York morning radio show | question: When does he return, answer: next week, | question: what interrupted Cannon's Colorado holiday, answer: "mild kidney failure" | question: who is resting at home, answer: Nick Cannon
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a 41-year-old Southern California man charged Friday with murder in this week's mass shooting at a hair salon, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said.
Scott Evans Dekraai of Huntington Beach, California, allegedly shot his ex-wife and seven other people to death at the Salon Meritage in the small coastal community of Seal Beach, Rackauckas said Friday. A ninth person was wounded.
Prosecutors formally filed eight counts of first-degree murder and a felony count of attempted murder against Dekraai on Friday. The first-degree murder charges carry the special circumstance of multiple murder, the prosecutor said.
Dekraai and his ex-wife, Michelle Fournier, 48, were in a custody battle over their 8-year-old son, and the dispute was the motive in the shooting, Rackauckas said. The prosecutor called Dekraai "a methodical and merciless killer."
On Friday afternoon, Dekraai appeared before Orange County Judge Erick L. Larsh, who, at the request of attorneys, rescheduled Dekraai's arraignment to November 29.
Dekraai is not taking his antipsychotic medication, and his attorney asked the court to make the drugs available to Dekraai while he is being held in jail without bail.
The judge said he would order a medical team to evaluate Dekraai and, in a response to another defense request, would see if Dekraai's current wife could deliver his spinal cord implant stimulator, which is needed because of a 2007 accident Dekraai experienced.
Balding and with a salt-and-pepper goatee, Dekraai appeared calm inside the courtroom's detainee cage. One person in the gallery shouted "You coward!" Then, as he exited the courtroom, a sobbing woman uttered "I hate you! I hate you!"
Dekraai's attorney, Robert Curtis of Long Beach, told the court that he's considering a change of venue.
Earlier Friday, authorities held a press conference and recounted how Dekraai's ex-wife, a hair stylist at the salon, was working near the entrance and was among the first two people shot.
On the morning of the shooting, which occurred Wednesday, Dekraai and Fournier got into an argument about child custody, authorities said.
"We're sort of guessing. We believe that the custody battle wasn't going well for him. We don't know the contents of their conversation or anything," Rackauckas said.
Hours later, the gunfire rampage at the salon, just blocks from the ocean, unfolded around 1:20 p.m., authorities said.
"He also considered the people who were friends and who worked with his ex-wife were enablers, and he didn't have much use for them either," Rackauckas said.
He was armed with three guns -- a 9 mm Springfield, a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum, and a Heckler & Koch .45 -- and was wearing body armor during the shooting rampage, Rackauckas said. He used at least two of those guns, the prosecutor said.
Rackauckas summarized the mass shooting, saying Dekraai "walked through the salon shooting anyone close enough to hit. He stopped to reload during this spree, and he continued gunning people down. He was not satisfied with murdering his intended target, his ex-wife. For almost two minutes, Dekraai shot victim after victim, executing people by shooting them in the head and chest.
"He shot eight people inside the salon. But he was not done. He then walked out of the salon and shot a ninth victim, a male, who was sitting nearby in a parked Range Rover. The reason for this rampage: revenge," he said.
"We believe that the defendant committed this unimaginable act of violence because he wanted to kill his ex-wife over a custody dispute concerning their 8-year-old son. He was willing to end any life in his path, and he did. Clearly this two-minute murder spree could not have been about loving his son," the prosecutor said.
While Dekraai allegedly carried out the mass murder, his son was sitting alone in the principal's
|
[
"What does Dekraai's attorney consider?",
"Who was killed?",
"How many first-degree murder charges were filed?",
"How many first-degree murders were filed?",
"What does Scott Dekraai's attorney say he is considering?",
"What charges did prosecutors file?",
"What is Scott Dekraai's attorney considering?"
] |
[
"a change of venue.",
"ex-wife and seven other people",
"eight",
"eight",
"a change of venue.",
"eight counts of first-degree murder and a felony count of attempted murder",
"change of venue."
] |
question: What does Dekraai's attorney consider?, answer: a change of venue. | question: Who was killed?, answer: ex-wife and seven other people | question: How many first-degree murder charges were filed?, answer: eight | question: How many first-degree murders were filed?, answer: eight | question: What does Scott Dekraai's attorney say he is considering?, answer: a change of venue. | question: What charges did prosecutors file?, answer: eight counts of first-degree murder and a felony count of attempted murder | question: What is Scott Dekraai's attorney considering?, answer: change of venue.
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Rapper Heavy D collapsed in his Beverly Hills home Tuesday morning and died a short time later at a Los Angeles hospital, according to police and the coroner. He was 44.
Heavy D, whose real name is Dwight Arrington Myers, was found conscious with difficulty breathing at his home after police were called there at 11:25 a.m., the Beverly Hills police said in a news release.
He was pronounced dead in the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon, according to Los Angeles County coroner's operations chief Craig Harvey. The cause of death has not been determined, Harvey said.
His hip-hop recording career began in 1987 with his group Heavy D & the Boyz and on his first album he released the hit single "The Overweight Lover's in the House." Another one of his breakthrough hits came in 1991 with a remake of the O'Jays' "Now That We Found Love."
Heavy D's rapping was featured on Janet Jackson's 1990 hit "Alright."
He rapped on Michael Jackson's 1991 hit "Jam," which he performed at last month's Michael Jackson tribute show in Cardiff, Wales.
He also composed and performed the theme songs several television shows, including "In Living Color," "MADtv" and "The Tracy Morgan Show."
His last CD, "Love Opus," was released this year.
Heavy D also pursued an acting career, which included mostly roles on TV shows and movies.
He played a courthouse guard in the Eddie Murphy film "Tower Heist," released last weekend.
iReporter: "Rest in peace to Heavy D"
He used his Twitter account Monday night to express sadness about the death of boxer Joe Frazier:
"SMOKIN JOE FRAZIER..RIP.. truly one of the best heavyweight champs that ever lived.. GODS SPEED,MR FRAZIER!"
Heavy D's last Twitter message, posted late Monday, was: "BE INSPIRED!"
CNN's Jack Hannah contributed to this report.
|
[
"When were police called to his home?",
"When did Heavy D die?",
"What was the rapper's real name?",
"Who found him?",
"What was his real name?",
"What did he die from?",
"What age was he?",
"Where did Heavy D die?",
"Who died in the ER at Cedars-Sinai?"
] |
[
"Tuesday morning",
"Tuesday afternoon,",
"Dwight Arrington Myers,",
"police",
"Dwight Arrington Myers,",
"The cause of death has not been determined,",
"44.",
"Los Angeles hospital,",
"Rapper Heavy D"
] |
question: When were police called to his home?, answer: Tuesday morning | question: When did Heavy D die?, answer: Tuesday afternoon, | question: What was the rapper's real name?, answer: Dwight Arrington Myers, | question: Who found him?, answer: police | question: What was his real name?, answer: Dwight Arrington Myers, | question: What did he die from?, answer: The cause of death has not been determined, | question: What age was he?, answer: 44. | question: Where did Heavy D die?, answer: Los Angeles hospital, | question: Who died in the ER at Cedars-Sinai?, answer: Rapper Heavy D
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Tears flowed from Dr. Conrad Murray's eyes Wednesday as he listened to an elderly patient tell jurors that Murray had opened a clinic in the Acres Homes community of Houston in honor of his father, who had practiced there.
After 17 days of hearing about how pop star Michael Jackson died under Murray's care, jurors began hearing Wednesday from people who say the doctor saved lives.
Ruby Mosley was one of five character witnesses called by Murray's defense lawyers Wednesday morning as his involuntary manslaughter trial nears an end.
"If this man had been greedy, he never would have come to an area, a community of Acres Homes, 75% of them poor, on welfare and Social Security," Mosley said.
Murray continued to dab tears from his eyes even after Mosley left the stand.
"He's the best doctor I've ever been to," said Gerry Causey, a 68-year-old former patient of the man accused of causing Jackson's death."And I just don't think he did what he's being accused of," Causey added, under cross-examination by the prosecution.
Much of the prosecution's case has been spent trying to demonstrate that Murray gave reckless and incompetent medical treatment as Jackson's personal doctor in the last months of his life.
Causey met Murray 11 years ago when he was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital with a heart attack, but they became friends since then, he testified.
"It's because of Dr. Murray, the way he cares for you, the way he makes you feel," Causey said.
Prosecutors contend that Murray abandoned his patients in Las Vegas and Houston for the $150,000 a month Jackson had promised him.
"There's no way, he's not greedy," Causey said. "He doesn't charge me my deductable, never has."
Las Vegas heart patient Andrew Guest, who followed Causey on the witness stand Wednesday, said Murray "makes sure you're ok during the procedure."
"That man sitting there is the best doctor I've ever seen," Guest testified.
Murray treated Dennis Hix by putting 14 stints into arteries around his heart 11 years ago, Hix testified.
"I'm 66, I've gone to a lot of doctors, a lot of doctors and I've never had one that gave me the care that he did," Hix said.
Murray never charged Hix beyond what his insurance would pay, he said. "I had a type of insurance that don't hardly pay for nothing," he said. "So he did it for me free."
Two medical experts for the defense, including anesthesiologist Dr. Paul White, are expected to follow Thursday and possibly Friday. This would set the stage for closing arguments and jury deliberations early next week, although it's possible that could come Friday.
Jackson's sisters Janet and La Toya, as well as his brother Randy, were in court for Wednesday's testimony.
The promoter of Jackson's ill-fated "This Is It" tour testified Tuesday that Jackson's fear that producers would "pull the plug" on the shows if the singer missed more rehearsals was unfounded.
"No one on our end was ever contemplating pulling the plug," said Randy Phillips, the head of AEG Live.
Murray's lawyers contend Jackson self-administered the overdose of drugs that killed him in a "desperate desire to get to sleep," because he feared without rest he would miss his next rehearsal and trigger the cancellation of his comeback concerts.
If the tour was canceled, Jackson would have to pay for all of the production and rehearsal costs, Phillips said, although the judge would not let him tell jurors how much that might have been. Defense lawyer Ed Chernoff estimated the cost to be about $40 million, leaving him "a very, very poor man," but it was not while the jury was present.
Concert director Kenny Ortega sent Phillips an e-mail five days before Jackson's death, referring to Jackson's fear the
|
[
"What kind of doctor is Dr. Murray?",
"Who testified for the defense?",
"What do people think about Dr. Murray?",
"Who testified?",
"How many experts will the defense call?",
"Who is the best doctor?",
"When will defense rest?"
] |
[
"personal",
"Ruby Mosley",
"the doctor saved lives.",
"Causey",
"Two",
"Dr. Conrad Murray's",
"early next week,"
] |
question: What kind of doctor is Dr. Murray?, answer: personal | question: Who testified for the defense?, answer: Ruby Mosley | question: What do people think about Dr. Murray?, answer: the doctor saved lives. | question: Who testified?, answer: Causey | question: How many experts will the defense call?, answer: Two | question: Who is the best doctor?, answer: Dr. Conrad Murray's | question: When will defense rest?, answer: early next week,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Terminally ill singer Etta James was released Thursday from a Southern California hospital, her manager said.
"She is home with her husband and family by her side," said Lupe De Leon. "Her condition remains stable."
James, 73, was hospitalized two weeks, battling the final stages of terminal leukemia and suffering from dementia.
The "At Last" singer spent New Year's Eve watching the ball drop with her sons, Donto and Sametto James, in her hospital room, said Donto James, who played drums in his mother's Roots band for 15 years.
Paul Wright, a lawyer who represents the sons in their dispute with Etta James' husband over who makes decisions for her, said Sunday that the singer is "nearing the end of her time, but she's a tough lady."
The judge overseeing James' conservatorship approved an agreement last month in which husband Artis Mills is the conservator, but he must equally share "end of life" decisions with the sons, Wright said.
Mills is also limited in how much of her estate he can spend and he cannot "encumber her music catalog," Wright said.
CNN's Carolyn Sung contributed to this report.
|
[
"She is \"nearing the end of her time",
"The \"At Last\" singer is battling"
] |
[
"Etta James",
"final stages of terminal leukemia"
] |
question: She is "nearing the end of her time, answer: Etta James | question: The "At Last" singer is battling, answer: final stages of terminal leukemia
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- The defense anesthesiology expert in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor was found in contempt of court Wednesday for referring to his private talks with Dr. Conrad Murray during his testimony.
Dr. Murray did not testify in his own defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial and the judge refused to allow Dr. Paul White to base any of his testimony on anything other than what Murray told police.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor gave Dr. White 30 days to pay a $250 fine, but he also dropped a second contempt citation for derogatory comments he allegedly made about a rival witness.
Wednesday's contempt hearing was part of the aftermath of Dr. Murray's involuntary manslaughter that ended with a guilty verdict last week.
Another contempt hearing is set for November 29, the day Murray is set to be sentenced, for one of the defense lawyers who allegedly violated the judge's gag order by speaking to NBC's "Today Show" during the trial.
Murray defense lawyer Michael Flanagan, who was in court to defend Dr. White Wednesday, said after the hearing that he believed Murray should be eligible for early release if he is given prison time.
A California law that took effect last month provides for non-violent state inmates to be assigned to county jails to relieve state prison overcrowding. The Los Angeles County jail has a court-ordered early release program to relieve overcrowding, which allows non-violent offenders to serve much of their sentences at home with electronic monitoring.
Flanagan said Murray is not a safety threat to the public and should be included in the early release program.
Dr. White told reporters after the hearing that he still believed Jackson gave himself the overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol and a sedative the coroner ruled killed the pop icon.
"I was aware that Michael Jackson had self-administered drugs in the past, propofol specifically, and so what's to say that he wouldn't do it again," White said. "He was desperate. Murray was withholding from him the drug that he desperately desired."
White, while under cross-examination by Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, referred several times to his private discussions with Dr. Murray about what happened the day Jackson died. Judge Pastor repeatedly warned him not to do so.
Finally, the judge cited White for contempt and set Wednesday's hearing to decide if he would be fined.
"There wasn't any intentional deception here or violation of the court order," defense lawyer Michael Flanagan told Pastor Wednesday. "He was explaining to Mr. Walgren 'Hey, I can't answer that.'"
Prosecutor Walgren, who has grown a beard since the televised trial ended, told the judge that this was one of "multiple instances" where Dr. White was "trying to sabotage the trial."
"It was intentional and deliberate," Walgren said. "It was an attempt to deny the people a fair trial."
White told the judge he "did my best as I was admonished by you to answer question truthfully and as completely as I could."
"I apologize profusely if I disrespected you," White said. "I learned a lot from this experience."
Pastor ruled that White was guilty of violating his order by giving "a non-responsive answer" that dealt with "no-go territory."
While he could have fined him $1,000, he only imposed a $250 fine. Judge Pastor also dropped the other contempt charge which stemmed from an online report that quoted White allegedly calling prosecution anesthesiology expert Dr. Steven Shafer "a scumbag."
|
[
"what did the lawyer say",
"Whay charge was dropped?",
"what did the prosecutor argue",
"what is the number of days he has",
"What did the prosecutor argue that the expert tried to do?",
"Who should get an early release?",
"How much was the contempt fine?",
"How many days does paul white have to pay the fine?"
] |
[
"he believed Murray should be eligible for early release if he is given prison time.",
"a second contempt citation for derogatory comments he allegedly made about a rival witness.",
"not a safety threat to the public",
"30",
"\"trying to sabotage the trial.\"",
"Dr. Conrad Murray",
"$250",
"30"
] |
question: what did the lawyer say, answer: he believed Murray should be eligible for early release if he is given prison time. | question: Whay charge was dropped?, answer: a second contempt citation for derogatory comments he allegedly made about a rival witness. | question: what did the prosecutor argue, answer: not a safety threat to the public | question: what is the number of days he has, answer: 30 | question: What did the prosecutor argue that the expert tried to do?, answer: "trying to sabotage the trial." | question: Who should get an early release?, answer: Dr. Conrad Murray | question: How much was the contempt fine?, answer: $250 | question: How many days does paul white have to pay the fine?, answer: 30
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- The father of actress Lindsay Lohan was arrested in connection with a domestic dispute, authorities said Tuesday.
Michael Lohan, 50, was arrested late Monday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's West Hollywood Station said in a statement.
Deputies arrested him on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant, false imprisonment and preventing the report of victimization, the statement said. All are felony charges.
Bail was set at $200,000, the statement said, but authorities said Tuesday afternoon Lohan had not been booked. He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after he complained of "a medical condition not related to the incident" following his arrest.
He will remain at the hospital on observation for at least 24 hours before he is booked at the West Hollywood Station, police said.
The sheriff's department did not identify the alleged victim. But Kate Major, Lohan's former fiancee, told CNN she was the victim. "I can confirm but barely type," Major wrote in an e-mail. "No other comment."
The alleged victim suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment, the sheriff's department said.
Lohan was arrested near West Hollywood Station following the incident when deputies saw him walking on Santa Monica Boulevard, the statement said.
The relationship between Michael Lohan and his 24-year-old daughter has been publicly strained for years, although the two did undergo family counseling together during her recent treatment at the Betty Ford Center.
Lindsay Lohan must decide by Wednesday if she will accept a plea deal that would send her to jail or move closer to a trial on a felony grand theft charge. She is accused of walking out without paying for a $2,500 necklace from Kamofie and Co., a jewelry store in Venice, California, on January 22.
If Lindsay Lohan decides to go to trial, a preliminary hearing will be held April 22. The judge at that time would also consider the matter of her probation violation; she faces possible jail time for violating her probation for a drunk-driving arrest because of the theft charge.
CNN's Brittany Kaplan, Carey Bodenheimer and Alan Duke contributed to this report.
|
[
"When was he arrested",
"What is the number of days Lohan will remain in the hospital",
"who will remain in the hospital for at least 24 hours?",
"who is michael lohan",
"where lohan was aressted",
"who was arrested in West Hollywood?"
] |
[
"late Monday,",
"at least 24 hours",
"Michael Lohan,",
"The father of actress Lindsay",
"near West Hollywood Station",
"Michael Lohan,"
] |
question: When was he arrested, answer: late Monday, | question: What is the number of days Lohan will remain in the hospital, answer: at least 24 hours | question: who will remain in the hospital for at least 24 hours?, answer: Michael Lohan, | question: who is michael lohan, answer: The father of actress Lindsay | question: where lohan was aressted, answer: near West Hollywood Station | question: who was arrested in West Hollywood?, answer: Michael Lohan,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- The man accused of shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier at a homecoming party in the soldier's honor faces one count of attempted murder, the spokesman for the San Bernardino, California, district attorney said Tuesday.
District Attorney Michael Ramos filed the charge Tuesday against 19-year-old Ruben Jurado, spokesman Christopher Lee said. He also filed "four special allegations involving premeditation and the use and discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury," the DA's office said in a statement.
Jurado was being held at the West Valley Detention Center and was expected to be arraigned Wednesday or Thursday.
Jurado is accused of shooting Army Spc. Christopher Sullivan on Friday night at a homecoming party in Sullivan's native San Bernardino. Sullivan was there celebrating his recent return to California from Kentucky, where he was stationed while recovering from wounds sustained in a suicide bombing a year ago in Afghanistan.
Sullivan narrowly survived the attack, which killed five members of his unit and left him with a cracked collar bone and brain damage, according to the San Bernardino County Sun. Sullivan was awarded the Purple Heart after the incident.
He was shot at the party after an "argument and physical confrontation" with Jurado, San Bernardino Police Department Sgt. Pete Higgins told CNN.
Accompanied by an attorney, Jurado turned himself in to authorities in Chino Hills early Monday afternoon, said Lt. Gwendolyn Waters.
The fight at the party broke out after Jurado and Sullivan's younger brother began arguing about football, the brothers' mother, Suzanne Sullivan, told CNN.
Jurado "pulled out a gun and shot him twice," she said.
Higgins said Jurado fled the scene after the shooting.
Sullivan was rushed to a hospital, where he was being treated, officials said.
"Right now, my son is hanging in physically," Suzanne Sullivan told CNN. "He's on 100% life support. He can move his head and he responds through nodding and blinking to us. His eyes aren't always open, but we try to encourage him to do so as often as possible."
She said her son tried to ask what happened to him at the hospital and when they told him he wanted to know, "Why?"
"We told him what it was about and he just closed his eyes," Suzanne Sullivan told CNN.
She said she was told that the suspect and her son might have gone to school and played football together. She also said she couldn't believe what had happened to her son, who she said joined the Army to try and help her out.
"He's a wonderful son. ... the best person you could meet on this Earth," she said. "He's a giver, not a taker, and just wants to be there for and help people. He was so happy when he joined the Army, because he really wanted to defend his country."
The mother and her family have been at her son's hospital bedside. A fellow soldier from Christopher Sullivan's 101st Airborne Division brought the infantry's flag to the hospital, Suzanne Sullivan told CNN.
"He loved his platoon. He loved his fellow soldiers," she said as she began to sob. "He was so proud to serve our country."
Tears rolled down Christopher Sullivan's face when he saw the flag of the Screaming Eagles, the nickname for the division, his mother said.
"I asked Chris if he wanted to me to hang it on the wall or cover him in it," Suzanne Sullivan said. "He nodded that he wanted me to cover him with it. Once I did that he started to cry, which made me start to cry. It's been really hard on all of us."
She said she was distraught over the news that her son, who was already recovering from injuries sustained during his tour abroad, had returned to the United States only to be paralyzed during a party.
"He once told me that if defending this country takes his life, so
|
[
"What is he accused of doing?",
"What did the DA file?",
"What is Ruben accused of doing?",
"When is Ruben Jurado expected to be arraigned?",
"What age is Ruben Jurado?",
"who will be arraigned?",
"What are they accused of?",
"The DA also filed special allegations including what?",
"Who filed special allegations?"
] |
[
"shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier",
"the charge Tuesday against 19-year-old Ruben Jurado,",
"of shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier",
"Wednesday or Thursday.",
"19-year-old",
"Ruben Jurado,",
"shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier",
"involving premeditation and the use and discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury,\"",
"Michael Ramos"
] |
question: What is he accused of doing?, answer: shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier | question: What did the DA file?, answer: the charge Tuesday against 19-year-old Ruben Jurado, | question: What is Ruben accused of doing?, answer: of shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier | question: When is Ruben Jurado expected to be arraigned?, answer: Wednesday or Thursday. | question: What age is Ruben Jurado?, answer: 19-year-old | question: who will be arraigned?, answer: Ruben Jurado, | question: What are they accused of?, answer: shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier | question: The DA also filed special allegations including what?, answer: involving premeditation and the use and discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury," | question: Who filed special allegations?, answer: Michael Ramos
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- The mother of a German national suspected of one of the worst arson sprees in Los Angeles history appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge Tuesday in the German government's effort to extradite her on fraud charges.
Harry Burkhart, 24, may have been motivated to set the fires by his mother's arrest, according to officials and CNN affiliates.
His mother, 53-year-old Dorothee Burkhart, was arrested by Los Angeles police during a traffic stop on December 28, a day before the first of 52 fires, mostly in parked cars, that investigators suspect were part of a series of arsons.
The son, who was arrested Monday, was charged with one count of arson of an inhabited dwelling. He is likely to face additional charges as the investigation moves forward, said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Harry Burkhart remains jailed without bail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
"What did you do to my son," Dorothee Burkhart, yelled at the judge during her hearing Tuesday. "My son is disappeared since yesterday. Perhaps the German Nazis know of our address."
It did not appear that she knew her son had been arrested a day earlier on the arson charge.
She turned down an offer of a court-appointed lawyer and was given until her next hearing Friday to hire a defense attorney.
A federal extradition complaint said she is wanted in Germany on 19 counts of fraud, including an allegation that she defrauded the doctor who performed breast augmentation surgery on her in 2004. The other fraud charges center on rent and security deposits for apartments in Frankfurt, Germany, the complaint said.
A website advertising "sensual tantra massage" and offering "full body hot oil body to body sliding massage" is registered to Dorothee Burkhart using a Hollywood address, according to a domain registry database. She lived with her son in a Hollywood apartment, according to the complaint.
Investigators seized press clippings of arson attacks in Germany from the apartment, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Dorothee Burkhart last entered the United States lawfully in January 2007 and left the country four months later, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She currently has no lawful immigration status and ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against her, it said.
A court document released earlier on Tuesday incorrectly stated that Dorothee Burkhart had most recently entered the United States in October, according to ICE.
Harry Burkhart was in the United States lawfully at the time of his arrest on a non-immigrant visa, which expires on January 18, ICE said. The agency has similarly lodged an immigration detainer against him.
Arson investigators counted 52 fires, most starting in parked cars, since Friday morning, but none since the suspect was detained at 3 a.m. Monday, according to officials.
No one was hurt in the fires, but property damage is likely to reach $3 million, said Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Tuesday that after Los Angeles police released a surveillance video of a man seen near the scene of one fire, agents in the department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security field office recognized Burkhart.
Multiple CNN affiliates reported the alleged arson spree could have stemmed from a deportation battle between the suspect and immigration officials involving Burkhart's mother.
After his arrest, Burkhart told investigators, "I hate America," according to CNN affiliate KABC.
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said officials believe -- and hope -- the fires were set by one person. But they will proceed as though others may be involved until they know for sure, Beck said.
"I feel very good that we've got the right guy. (The suspect) had the right stuff in his van, and we are confident in the arrest," Beck said.
Neighbor Galina Larimoda told KABC-TV through a Russian translator that Harry Burkhart knocked on her door Sunday and seemed angry and not "completely normal."
Los Angeles County Reserve Sheriff's Deputy Shervin Lalezary, who draws a salary of $1 a year
|
[
"who arrests her during a traffic stop?",
"who is wanted in Germany on 19 fraud counts?",
"how many fires cause $3 million damage?",
"What has ICE said?",
"Who is wanted in Germany?",
"What has caused $3 million damage?"
] |
[
"Los Angeles police",
"Dorothee Burkhart,",
"52",
"Harry Burkhart was in the United States lawfully at the time of his arrest on a non-immigrant visa, which expires on January 18,",
"Harry Burkhart,",
"52 fires,"
] |
question: who arrests her during a traffic stop?, answer: Los Angeles police | question: who is wanted in Germany on 19 fraud counts?, answer: Dorothee Burkhart, | question: how many fires cause $3 million damage?, answer: 52 | question: What has ICE said?, answer: Harry Burkhart was in the United States lawfully at the time of his arrest on a non-immigrant visa, which expires on January 18, | question: Who is wanted in Germany?, answer: Harry Burkhart, | question: What has caused $3 million damage?, answer: 52 fires,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- They came seeking justice as the sun rose Tuesday over a courthouse in the heart of downtown Los Angeles made famous by its celebrity trials -- O.J. Simpson, Snoop Dogg, Phil Spector.
But there were almost as many definitions of justice as there were justice seekers. Some shouted "Murderer!" as the defendant, Conrad Murray, arrived at the Clara Foltz Justice Center for the start of his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson.
"Dr. Murray," corrected Beatrice Fakhrian, a supporter of the defendant. "He has earned that title."
So began the long-anticipated trial of the personal physician accused of causing the death of one of the most famous people in the world. More than 100 people from France, Spain and Australia, as well as the far-flung suburbs of Los Angeles, crowded into the dingy courthouse plaza, jockeying for a chance at one of just six courtroom seats, or to say their piece in front of television cameras.
Some read psalms, some handed out sunflowers, some chanted "Justice for Michael," and many of them carried signs, transforming a wall outside the courthouse into an international billboard.
"Bulgaria Loves MJ," one sign said. So do the Netherlands, Romania and Malaysia, according to the signed posters taped to the wall.
A doctor in a while coat preached about safe ways to administer anesthesia.
A Michael Jackson impersonator preened for the cameras.
"Even in death, Michael Jackson can draw a crowd," said Najee Ali, a Los Angeles civil rights activist who grew up in Jackson's hometown, Gary, Indiana. Ali was the force behind the "Caravan of Love" to support Jackson when he was acquitted in Santa Barbara of child molestation charges in 2005.
Julie Jenkins, 31, came from Australia and was rewarded by winning the lottery for one of the courtroom seats available to the public. She has been a Michael Jackson fan since she was 7 and wore black jeans, a red shirt, a black armband and aviator sunglasses in honor of her idol.
"For me, it represents the first time I saw him in person," she said, explaining her get-up, which was vaguely reminiscent of Jackson¹s look during his "History" tour. "It also represents blood, because we think he was murdered."
She pounded a closed fist over her chest.
That sentiment is shared by many of Jackson's fans, although Murray is charged with the less serious offense of involuntary manslaughter. He is accused of giving Jackson a lethal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep as the pop star prepared for his comeback "This is It" concerts in June 2009.
Defense: Michael Jackson caused his own death
Murder also is a major theme for the group "Justice4MJ," which was out in force on Tuesday, leading the crowd in chants of "Justice for Michael" as Jackson's family walked into the courthouse.
Erin Jacobs, one of the group's outspoken leaders, also won a seat for the trial's first day. She has attended every pretrial hearing, and was tossed out of court last week during jury selection after getting into a staring contest with Murray.
She said she hadn't slept. Like her idol, "I experienced insomnia last night," she said. "I have been a fan my whole life. This is my passion, to work for Michael."
Court officials warned Jacobs she would have to cover up her T-shirt in court. If she flashed her "Justice4MJ" logo, she'd lose her seat and be banned for the rest of the trial.
Karlene Taylor, 49, wanted a seat so badly she couldn't sleep. She has been a Jackson fan since she was 8. "I remember 'ABC' Michael," she said. Alas, the lottery gods did not smile on her Tuesday.
Robyn Starkand and Betty Byrnes of the fan group "Call for Love" handed out sunflowers, hoping to lead a respectful
|
[
"What is the name of the doctor?",
"What did the fans chant?",
"Conrar Murray was charged of what?",
"What charges brought upon Conrad Murray?",
"Who was on trial?",
"Where attended fans came from?"
] |
[
"Conrad Murray,",
"\"Justice for Michael\"",
"involuntary manslaughter",
"involuntary manslaughter",
"Conrad Murray,",
"France, Spain and Australia, as well as the far-flung suburbs of Los Angeles,"
] |
question: What is the name of the doctor?, answer: Conrad Murray, | question: What did the fans chant?, answer: "Justice for Michael" | question: Conrar Murray was charged of what?, answer: involuntary manslaughter | question: What charges brought upon Conrad Murray?, answer: involuntary manslaughter | question: Who was on trial?, answer: Conrad Murray, | question: Where attended fans came from?, answer: France, Spain and Australia, as well as the far-flung suburbs of Los Angeles,
|
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Tipsters are coming forward with additional information regarding actress Natalie Wood's 1981 drowning death, after authorities announced two months ago they were reopening the case, a Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman said Wednesday.
"After the presser, we got a number of calls, and those calls were intriguing, and we're chasing those down now," said spokesman Steve Whitmore.
Meanwhile, investigators have yet to re-interview a key witness -- Dennis Davern, the captain of yacht owned by Wood and her then-husband, actor Robert Wagner. Davern offered a new account in November about how Wood's death was reported, saying that Wagner waited hours to call the Coast Guard after Wood went missing off Catalina Island, near the California coast, following an argument the couple had.
Whitmore declined to reveal whether detectives plan to talk with Davern, saying he would "not get into the specifics" of the investigation.
Investigators haven't re-interviewed Wagner either. Authorities have no plans to question the actor at this time, but "who knows where things may go from here tomorrow," Whitmore said.
"The investigation is not closed. It's possible we could yield new information that changes this case," the sheriff's spokesman said. "There are leads we're following up on and have to close them out before we say anything definitive. Sure, there is possible new information that could come out that really changes everything."
In November, homicide investigators decided to take a new look at one of Hollywood's most enduring mysteries after they were contacted by people who claimed they had additional information about the actress' drowning, the sheriff's department said.
"This new information is substantial enough to make us want to take a new look at the case," Lt. John Corina said at the time.
Corina declined to comment directly on statements made by Davern to some media outlets.
When asked if the captain could face charges for possibly lying to authorities during the 1981 investigation, Corina responded: "That, I can't say. We'll probably end up talking to the captain sooner or later, and we'll assess what he has to say then and now."
Authorities haven't gone into specifics about who they've interviewed, but did say when they reopened the case that Wagner wasn't a suspect.
Wood drowned in the Pacific Ocean on November 29, 1981, off the isthmus of Catalina Island. She once said in a televised interview that her greatest fear was of dark seawater.
Her body was found floating in the water about a mile away from the yacht, wearing a long nightgown, socks, and a down jacket, according to police reports.
The autopsy report showed the actress had two dozen bruises on her body, including a facial abrasion on her left cheek and bruises on her arms.
"My sister was not a swimmer and did not know how to swim, and she would never go to another boat or to shore dressed in a nightgown and socks," said Lana Wood, refering to theories that the actress voluntarily jumped from the boat.
Although the county coroner's office ruled that Wood's death was an accident, others say the case hasn't made sense.
In 2010, Lana Wood told CNN she believes a highly charged argument between her sister and Wagner on the yacht's back deck preceded Wood's drowning. She told CNN last year she does not suspect foul play.
"I just want the truth to come out, the real story," she said.
Davern, the former captain of the yacht Splendour, broke his long silence with a detailed account of that day in "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour," a book he wrote with his friend Marti Rulli. It was published in September 2009.
Davern has said he believes Wood's death was a direct result of a fight with Wagner.
In a lengthy interview with CNN in 2010, Davern said he now believes the investigation of Wood's death was incompetent and suggested there was a cover-up. He said
|
[
"when did Wagner waited 4 hours to call the Coast Guard?",
"What happened to Natalie Wood?",
"Who has not yet been interviewed by police?",
"Who drowned off Catalina Island in 1981?",
"What did police receive?",
"Whom have detectives yet to interview?",
"What do police receive after a recent press conference?"
] |
[
"1981",
"drowned in the Pacific Ocean",
"Dennis Davern,",
"Natalie",
"additional information",
"Dennis Davern,",
"a number of calls,"
] |
question: when did Wagner waited 4 hours to call the Coast Guard?, answer: 1981 | question: What happened to Natalie Wood?, answer: drowned in the Pacific Ocean | question: Who has not yet been interviewed by police?, answer: Dennis Davern, | question: Who drowned off Catalina Island in 1981?, answer: Natalie | question: What did police receive?, answer: additional information | question: Whom have detectives yet to interview?, answer: Dennis Davern, | question: What do police receive after a recent press conference?, answer: a number of calls,
|
Los Angeles Film Festival (June 18 -- 28) Since the Oscars are a closed shop to the general public, turning up in L.A. for the biggest night in the movie calendar -- unless you happen to be on the guest list -- is pretty much a non-starter.
Don't miss the Mr and Mrs Muscle Beach competition on Venice Beach
If you're a film buff much better instead to hit town for the annual film festival, where you can delight at over 100 features, as well as star-studded premieres, seminars with industry bigwigs and outdoor screenings.
Mr and Mrs Muscle Beach Competition (July 4) It may not seem the obvious way to celebrate America's emancipation from British colonial rule, but the annual Independence Day competition on Venice Beach is definitely a spectacle, and a unique slice of Americana to boot. Now in its 75th year, the event features bikini-clad women contestants as well as a plethora of Arnie Schwarzenegger wannabes all hoping to be crowned the golden couple of muscle.
The Long Beach Jazz Festival (August 7 -- 9) What nicer way to enjoy a warm summer evening in the city than with the crash of the Pacific sounding on one side and melodious jazz on the other. The only jazz festival in Southern California, the Long Beach event is beautifully located on a grassy knoll overlooking a long sweep of lagoon. The festival begins at 5pm on the Friday and runs all weekend and features some of the top jazz artists of the year.
New Year's Eve Partying If it's a New Year burnout you're after, they don't come any bigger than Giant Maximus, which claims to be the biggest end of year party in the world aimed at over-21s (the age limit for drinking alcohol in the U.S., obviously). Spread over a seven-acre site in the downtown, the event includes top DJs, acrobats, a psychedelic circus and a giant ferris wheel. In all 10,000 revelers gather under three air-conditioned big tops to usher in the next year surrounded by skyscrapers.
|
[
"What can you check out at the Muscle Beach competition?",
"Where can you see lots of buffed bodies?",
"The L.A. film festival offers what?"
] |
[
"bikini-clad women contestants as well as a plethora of Arnie Schwarzenegger wannabes all hoping to be crowned the golden couple of",
"Venice Beach",
"delight at over 100 features, as well as star-studded premieres, seminars with industry bigwigs and outdoor screenings."
] |
question: What can you check out at the Muscle Beach competition?, answer: bikini-clad women contestants as well as a plethora of Arnie Schwarzenegger wannabes all hoping to be crowned the golden couple of | question: Where can you see lots of buffed bodies?, answer: Venice Beach | question: The L.A. film festival offers what?, answer: delight at over 100 features, as well as star-studded premieres, seminars with industry bigwigs and outdoor screenings.
|
Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA (CNN) -- Whitney Houston swept into the room in full diva mode -- hair, makeup and entourage. She looked the part.
Whitney Houston has credited mentor Clive Davis, right, for her comeback after a seven-year absence.
She smiled and cooed over mentor Clive Davis, calling him "Big Papa" and "Daddy" while the music mogul patted her arm like a proud parent.
The pair was in a side room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel just before the Los Angeles, California, listening session for "I Look to You," Houston's first album in seven years, scheduled to be released Sept. 1.
"I just took a break, which sometimes you have to," said Houston, 45, looking elegant in diamonds and a black Prada dress.
"You have to know when to slow that train down and kind of just sit back and relax for a minute." Watch an interview with Whitney Houston »
This was definitely the old Whitney -- pre-troubled marriage to Bobby Brown and pre-comment to Diane Sawyer that "crack is wack."
Next door, several hundred industry folks, journalists and friends gathered in a ballroom surrounded by large screens emblazoned with the words, "The Wait is Over."
Jane Fonda, Halle Berry, Magic Johnson, Penny Marshall and Jackie Collins sat in the front while Barry Manilow, Brian McKnight and producer David Foster found seats in the back of the room.
Davis, who has steered Houston's career for more than 25 years, introduced each of the album tracks, mostly slick, upbeat, radio-friendly tunes penned by proven hit makers such as R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, Akon and Johnta Austin.
Heads bobbed while the songs thumped over the loudspeakers, with applause and cheers erupting after each cut. To the amusement of those seated in the audience, even Davis shook his shoulders behind his podium and pumped his fist to the beat from time-to-time.
A ballad on the new disc, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," alludes to Houston's personal troubles in recent years.
The song, written especially for Houston by Diane Warren, includes the lyrics:
I didn't know my own strength
And I crashed down and I tumbled
But I did not crumble.
Houston deftly steered the focus away from herself, saying she identified with the lyrics because everyone has been through ups and downs in life.
At the end of the session, Houston stepped from the wings to a standing ovation.
"I'm humbled," she said, her hand on her heart. "There's so much love in the room." Then she joked, "Jane Fonda's at my listening party? How cool am I?"
AEG chairman and CEO Randy Phillips also was hanging around, no doubt ready to pounce on a chance to promote her next tour.
"I think it's the biggest hit she's had," Barry Manilow said.
"It was really, really good," Stevie Wonder said. "God takes care of his children."
|
[
"After how many years Whitney Houston held listening party?",
"Who where in audience at Houston party?",
"waht said steve wonder?",
"Who attended the party?",
"Who was writing the songs for her new album?",
"What did Stevie Wonder say?"
] |
[
"seven-year",
"David Foster",
"\"God takes care of his children.\"",
"Whitney Houston",
"proven hit makers such as R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, Akon and Johnta Austin.",
"\"God takes care of his children.\""
] |
question: After how many years Whitney Houston held listening party?, answer: seven-year | question: Who where in audience at Houston party?, answer: David Foster | question: waht said steve wonder?, answer: "God takes care of his children." | question: Who attended the party?, answer: Whitney Houston | question: Who was writing the songs for her new album?, answer: proven hit makers such as R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, Akon and Johnta Austin. | question: What did Stevie Wonder say?, answer: "God takes care of his children."
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The sudden end to a legal battle between dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant officials was prompted by the revelation of a "sex tape," according to a source familiar with the lawsuits' settlement.
Prejean was fired in June after lingerie-modeling photos of her emerged that pageant officials said were a breach of her contract. Prejean sued the pageant in August, arguing her firing was religious discrimination because of her opposition to same-sex marriage.
Pageant officials countersued last month, demanding their former beauty queen repay $5,200 in pageant money spent for her breast implants and give them all proceeds from a book she's written.
A settlement of both lawsuits was signed in New York Tuesday, but no details were made public. Lawyers and parties for each side were bound by a confidentiality pledge, according to the source.
The veil of secrecy was partially lifted Wednesday after celebrity gossip Web site TMZ reported the deal was sealed after pageant lawyers presented an "extremely graphic" home video involving Prejean.
TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin said during a webcast Wednesday that he obtained the Prejean video during the summer, but found it "too racy" to post on his site. He indicated Prejean was alone in the video.
The source with knowledge of the settlement talks told CNN those details were accurate.
Prejean's lawyer, Charles LiMandri, responded with a short statement issued through an employee at his law office. "It's a confidential settlement, and he can't discuss it," the statement said.
Several calls and e-mail to Prejean's publicist were not returned Wednesday.
Prejean's tell-all book hits bookstores next week, and she is scheduled for media interviews to promote it.
Pageant spokesman Kenn Henman said Tuesday the settlement means all lawsuit demands are dropped.
The pageant had claimed that the contract she signed when she entered their competition last year gave the pageant the rights to anything she wrote. The settlement ended that claim.
Pageant officials also dropped their attempt to be repaid for her breast enhancement, which was done before she represented California in the Miss USA competition, according to Henman.
Prejean, in exchange, withdrew her suit accusing the pageant of violating her privacy by confirming to reporters that her breasts were enhanced, Henman said.
"We are moving forward from the past and looking towards the crowning of two winners and the new look of the upcoming Miss California USA pageant, telecast live on November 22," pageant Executive Director Keith Lewis said Tuesday.
"We're back in the business of beauty," he told CNN.
There was nothing pretty about the public fight that began in April when Prejean, 22, stepped into controversy by declaring her opposition to same-sex marriage while answering a judge's question at the Miss USA pageant. Prejean finished as first runner-up.
While state and national pageant officials publicly supported her initially, their opinions eventually changed after she continued to make public statements about same-sex marriage.
She held onto her crown through May, despite a series of questionable photos that emerged on gossip Web sites. Those images showed a topless Prejean, photographed from behind.
She was dethroned in June by Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump amid growing complaints by state officials that she was uncooperative and not meeting her contractual obligations.
Prejean filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in August, claiming that her firing was religious discrimination because of her stand against same-sex marriage.
The pageant's countercomplaint said what it called Prejean's belligerent behavior, lack of cooperation and contract breaches caused her firing, not her opposition to same-sex marriage.
|
[
"What position was Carrie Prejean dethroned from",
"What state did she represent?",
"What did TMZ receive during the summer",
"Who was dethroned?",
"Who sued the pageant?",
"What kind of video was it?",
"Who was detrhoned?",
"Who says he got the video?",
"What did TMZ editor say about video"
] |
[
"USA",
"California",
"the Prejean video",
"Miss California",
"Prejean",
"\"sex tape,\"",
"Miss California",
"TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin",
"found it \"too racy\" to post on his site."
] |
question: What position was Carrie Prejean dethroned from, answer: USA | question: What state did she represent?, answer: California | question: What did TMZ receive during the summer, answer: the Prejean video | question: Who was dethroned?, answer: Miss California | question: Who sued the pageant?, answer: Prejean | question: What kind of video was it?, answer: "sex tape," | question: Who was detrhoned?, answer: Miss California | question: Who says he got the video?, answer: TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin | question: What did TMZ editor say about video, answer: found it "too racy" to post on his site.
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Roy Edward Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney, died Wednesday after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer, according to a Walt Disney Co. spokesman.
Disney "played a key role in the revitalization of the Walt Disney Co. and Disney's animation legacy," the company said.
He died in a Newport Beach, California, hospital at the age of 79.
His father -- Roy O. Disney -- co-founded the Disney entertainment business with Walt Disney in 1923.
Roy E. Disney's 56-year association with the company culminated in 2003 when he stepped down as vice chairman of Disney's board and chairman of the Disney Studio's Animation Department. He kept the title director emeritus and consultant in recent years, the company said.
"As head of Disney Animation, Disney helped to guide the studio to a new golden age of animation with an unprecedented string of artistic and box office successes that included 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin' and 'The Lion King,' " the company said.
A private funeral service and cremation are planned, the company said. His ashes will be scattered at sea, it said.
He was born in in Los Angeles seven years after his father and uncle began building the Disney empire.
His entertainment career began in 1952 -- after he attended Harvard University and Pomona College -- with a job as an assistant film editor on the "Dragnet" TV series.
He joined the family business a year later as an assistant film editor at the Walt Disney Studios.
He received two Oscar nominations. One was as a writer and production associate on the 1959 short subject film "Mysteries of the Deep," and the second was for his work in 2003 as executive producer of "Destino," a film based on storyboards and original art by the iconic artist Salvador Dali.
Disney founded Shamrock Holdings, an investment company owned by the Disney family, in 1978.
He also was an avid competitive sailor, the company said. He held several elapsed-time records for offshore races in the Pacific Ocean, including multiple wins in the 2,225-mile Transpac race between Hawaii and California, it said.
CNN's Brittany Kaplan contributed to this report.
|
[
"what cancer type did he have",
"What age was Roy Disney",
"what was his age",
"which films were successful",
"What was among successes of Roy E. Disney?",
"What did his father co-founded?",
"how many Oscar nominations did he recieve?",
"What age did Disney die at?",
"how long was is career?"
] |
[
"stomach",
"79.",
"79.",
"and 'The Lion King,'",
"included 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin'",
"the Disney entertainment business",
"two",
"79.",
"56-year"
] |
question: what cancer type did he have, answer: stomach | question: What age was Roy Disney, answer: 79. | question: what was his age, answer: 79. | question: which films were successful, answer: and 'The Lion King,' | question: What was among successes of Roy E. Disney?, answer: included 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin' | question: What did his father co-founded?, answer: the Disney entertainment business | question: how many Oscar nominations did he recieve?, answer: two | question: What age did Disney die at?, answer: 79. | question: how long was is career?, answer: 56-year
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Singer Chris Brown earned a glowing probation report six months after he was sentenced to "labor-oriented service" for assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna, the judge said Thursday.
Brown, 20, sat silently in court Thursday afternoon as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg reviewed his probation report.
"It looks like you're doing really, really well," Schnegg said.
The police chief in Richmond, Virginia -- where Brown is being allowed to complete his sentence -- reported that he had worked 32 days of hard labor, she said.
Schnegg said when she sentenced Brown that she wanted to see him do "actual physical labor, as opposed to some type of community service."
The report on his court-ordered domestic violence counseling said he had completed 17 out of 52 groups sessions, she said.
The agency running the sessions reported "you are participating and doing a very good job," the judge said.
The judge rewarded Brown by signing an order allowing him to again travel outside the United States for concerts.
When Brown returns to court on May 11, 2010, for his next probation progress report, he will be "way over halfway there" to completing his sentence, she said.
Brown was sentenced in August to serve five years probation and to spend more than 1,400 hours in "labor-oriented service" for the assault conviction.
Schnegg also put a restraining order in place, requiring Brown to stay 50 yards away from Rihanna, 10 yards if the two are at the same industry event. The judge issued a strict warning to Brown not to violate the order, which remains in place until 2014.
Brown was arrested after an early morning argument inside a rented Lamborghini on a Hollywood street on February 8, 2009.
According to Brown's probation report, the February argument began over an incident at a Beverly Hills party. An earlier, sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews said the incident began when Rihanna found a text message on his cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."
The pair argued while in the car driven by Brown, the police statement said. It went on to describe the assault in great detail, saying Brown punched Rihanna -- identified in the statement by her real first name, Robyn, and the first initial of her last name, Fenty -- numerous times and put her in a headlock, restricting her breathing and causing her to start to lose consciousness. He threatened to beat her and kill her, according to the statement, and he bit her ear and her fingers.
Eventually, the statement said, "Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a domestic violence emergency protective order."
The detective said Brown sent a text message nine days later, apologizing.
Rihanna's injuries included cuts and bruises inflicted by a large ring on Brown's right hand, which he used to punch her, the probation report said.
"Officers at the scene observed numerous contusions and abrasions to the victim's face and forehead, as well as bruising to her left arm near the bicep," it said. "They also saw abrasions to her arms near both wrists and on her upper chest near her collarbone and around her neck. There were abrasions on her left leg and on the inside of her upper lips."
Rihanna declined to speak to the probation investigator, so the probation report's details were gathered from police detectives who interviewed her soon after the attack.
"He beat me up," Rihanna told the police, the report said.
Brown made a public apology in July in a video statement posted on his personal Web site.
"I have told Rihanna countless times, and I'm telling you today, that I'm truly, truly sorry in that I wasn't able to handle the situation
|
[
"Did Chris Brown beat up Rihanna?",
"how many months did he do",
"what did the judge read",
"The judge reported that Brown was doing well on what",
"Brown was in jail for what reason"
] |
[
"told the police,",
"six",
"probation report.",
"probation report.",
"assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna,"
] |
question: Did Chris Brown beat up Rihanna?, answer: told the police, | question: how many months did he do, answer: six | question: what did the judge read, answer: probation report. | question: The judge reported that Brown was doing well on what, answer: probation report. | question: Brown was in jail for what reason, answer: assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The high school honor student and the NFL's highest-paid defensive back stroll down the destitute streets of Skid Row.
"I can sell you something right quick," a drug dealer hisses.
Another shouts, "Gonna whoop your ass!" More expletives are hurled.
Seventeen-year-old Kenneth Chancey is giving a tour to Nnamdi Asomugha, showing the NFL star the streets that he and his sister used to walk to get to school while living in a Skid Row homeless shelter. Prostitutes, addicts and drug dealers scatter. "Camera! Camera!" they shout.
The two make it safely past the park, one of the roughest areas of Los Angeles. An orange soda whizzes through the air, nearly hitting the teen and the Oakland Raiders' All-Pro cornerback worth $45 million.
"Wow," the teen says. "I'm sure they watch you every Sunday, and they don't even recognize who you are."
It is Kenneth's inner strength and his love for education that have brought together this high school class president and NFL star.
"The thing I took away is how fearless he is," Asomugha said later. "The things he's been through are so big and so severe -- they were threatening our lives and throwing things at us on Skid Row. But it doesn't bother him.
"His potential meter is at 1,000 right now."
Escaping through education
Even while Kenneth lived on Skid Row, he dreamed of attending Harvard to become a neurosurgeon. When Asomugha saw Kenneth's story on CNN, he wanted to help. He runs a foundation, the Asomugha College Tour for Scholars, that takes talented inner-city kids on tours of college campuses they otherwise would never be able to see. He's helped get 25 teens into college over the last four years.
On this day, he's come to tell Kenneth that he will be among the 16 students traveling in the spring to visit schools in Washington, D.C.
"I'm thankful to be able to give back," Asomugha said.
Hours before the Skid Row tour, Asomugha traveled to Hollywood's Helen Bernstein High School, where Kenneth is a starting running back in his senior year. They met at the school's football stadium, where Asomugha told Kenneth in person.
"This smile on my face," Kenneth said, "is a freaking good thing. This is awesome!"
Asomugha leaned closer. "You know who we're working on now?"
"Obama?" Kenneth asked nervously.
"We have to," the NFL star replied.
Kenneth's fever-pitched excitement reached a crescendo, "Oh my gosh!"
His father, Gordon Costello, joined in and handed a folded paper to Asomugha. The proud dad didn't show off football awards or his son's athletic achievements. Instead, it's Kenneth's latest report card, straight A's.
"He might overqualify for the tour," Asomugha said as he studied the report card. "This shows someone with a lot of drive and ambition. These are some great grades."
"I'm at a loss for words," the teen said. "Stuff like this doesn't happen every day."
Asomugha came from a family where education was stressed from day one. He remembers asking his mom as a boy, "Can I have some ice cream?"
"No," she responded. "You haven't finished your homework."
"I'd say, 'but I'm 3!' "
Asomugha's sister is a pediatrician, his mother holds a doctorate. Two other siblings have secondary degrees.
"I am the least educated in my family," Asomugha said. "I catch a lot of heat from my family."
The football star, who is the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, has a degree in finance from the University of California-Berkeley.
Kenneth is energized
|
[
"What does the star help?",
"Where will Chancey and 19 other kids go?",
"What NFL star decided to help a homeless teen?",
"What is the age of Kenneth Chancey?",
"What grades did Kenneth Chancey make?",
"How many kids will Asomugha take on a college tour this spring?",
"How many other inner-city kids will Asomugha be taking?"
] |
[
"talented inner-city kids",
"tours of college campuses",
"Asomugha",
"Seventeen-year-old",
"straight A's.",
"16",
"16"
] |
question: What does the star help?, answer: talented inner-city kids | question: Where will Chancey and 19 other kids go?, answer: tours of college campuses | question: What NFL star decided to help a homeless teen?, answer: Asomugha | question: What is the age of Kenneth Chancey?, answer: Seventeen-year-old | question: What grades did Kenneth Chancey make?, answer: straight A's. | question: How many kids will Asomugha take on a college tour this spring?, answer: 16 | question: How many other inner-city kids will Asomugha be taking?, answer: 16
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Turn up the music, crack the window -- falling gas prices have flipped on the road-trip ignition switch.
The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle is 104 feet long and 95 feet wide at the alcove.
I decided to celebrate the unofficial return of reasonable driving vacations with a venture to the ultimate temple of excess -- Hearst Castle.
From Los Angeles, my family and I retraced the journey of Hollywood luminaries who headed north to hang out with publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst.
Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Gregory Peck, Carol Lombard and Hearst's mistress Marion Davies all made the trek to what Hearst called "La Cuesta Encantada," or the Enchanted Hill.
Winston Churchill and President Calvin Coolidge also rested here amid art and antiquities from around the world.
Hearst Castle looks down over golden fields, the glistening Pacific and the town of San Simeon, California, home to less than 500 people.
We took a tour bus from the visitors center to the mansion, a long gull's dive from the ocean, 1,610 feet above sea level.
Hearst hired San Francisco architect Julia Morgan in 1919 and by 1947 the 165-room estate stretched over 127 acres.
It's crystal clear Hearst was a demanding mastermind of his kingdom on the hill, putting Morgan through what must have been agonizing brain twisters.
Visitors see that when Hearst wanted European choir chairs wedged into his assembly room, Morgan made it work. When he wanted elaborate ceilings salvaged from Europe, Morgan expanded their reach to fit into the estate's rooms.
A massive 95 x 104-foot outdoor swimming pool, made of concrete and Vermont marble, is one of the central jewels of the property.
Our guide recounted Hearst house rules. In an effort to control his guests' alcohol consumption, Hearst banned them from bringing their own liquor. The Hollywood types reportedly snuck it in anyway, like frat boys at a football game.
Guests stayed in opulent guest houses adorned with religious icons, art and other worldly treasures.
Hearst mandated unmarried guests sleep apart, while violating his own edict by sleeping with his beloved actress friend Marion Davies. Though Hearst remained married to Millicent Hearst, with whom he had five children, Davies' ghost is everywhere at Hearst Castle.
Images of the actress, along with Charlie Chaplin and others stars, flicker about in a short film shown in the mansion's 50-seat movie theater.
Museum-worthy pieces fill the property, including intricate Flemish tapestries in an east-facing sitting room called the Morning Room.
Owing to my Belgian roots, I looked at the tapestries and cracked to my kids, "No wonder my 83-year-old mother can still sew a tiny patch onto a Girl Scout vest."
The castle's grandeur was enough to hold the childrens' attention. We saw them as young as 4 years old, eyes popping while taking in ancient Egyptian statues or towering Christmas trees.
"This guy was rich!" my friend's 7-year-old-son, Nicolas, exclaimed.
Perhaps a headline from Hearst's San Francisco Examiner in another era could best describe our trip:
"The road to fun is back and affordable!"
|
[
"acres overlooking the Pacific",
"Where is the estate?",
"What did Hearst fill the rooms with?",
"Where is the estate located?",
"Who entertained Hollywood stars at his estate?",
"How many rooms does it have?",
"What did he fill the rooms with?"
] |
[
"127",
"San Simeon, California,",
"Museum-worthy pieces",
"San Simeon, California,",
"William Randolph Hearst.",
"165-room",
"Museum-worthy pieces"
] |
question: acres overlooking the Pacific, answer: 127 | question: Where is the estate?, answer: San Simeon, California, | question: What did Hearst fill the rooms with?, answer: Museum-worthy pieces | question: Where is the estate located?, answer: San Simeon, California, | question: Who entertained Hollywood stars at his estate?, answer: William Randolph Hearst. | question: How many rooms does it have?, answer: 165-room | question: What did he fill the rooms with?, answer: Museum-worthy pieces
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The beating of 12-year-old boy by a group of classmates at a Southern California middle school may be linked to a Facebook posting encouraging kids to target redheads, authorities say.
The redheaded boy was beaten up by a group of seventh and eighth graders at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas in two separate incidents Friday, according to a statement released Sunday by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
A Facebook page stating that Friday was "Kick a Ginger Day," referring to redheads and possibly inspired by an episode of the "South Park" series, may have sparked the injuries at the middle school, authorities said.
The boy's injuries were not serious, and no one has been arrested, authorities said Sunday.
|
[
"What age was the boy beaten by classmates?",
"What hair color is the target of the attacks?",
"Attacks may be linked to postings where?",
"Boy is at middle school where?",
"How many incidents occured on Friday?",
"Who beat the 12 year old boy on Friday?"
] |
[
"12-year-old",
"redheads,",
"Facebook",
"California",
"two separate",
"group of classmates"
] |
question: What age was the boy beaten by classmates?, answer: 12-year-old | question: What hair color is the target of the attacks?, answer: redheads, | question: Attacks may be linked to postings where?, answer: Facebook | question: Boy is at middle school where?, answer: California | question: How many incidents occured on Friday?, answer: two separate | question: Who beat the 12 year old boy on Friday?, answer: group of classmates
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A California doctor has been accused of negligence in the case of a woman who gave birth to octuplets in January 2009, according to a complaint filed by the state medical board.
Michael Kamrava, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Beverly Hills, is accused of gross negligence and repeated negligent acts in the treatment of a patient named in the complaint only by her initials, N.S.
Octuplet mom Nadya Suleman has identified Kamrava as her doctor in interviews. Suleman has six children in addition to the octuplets -- all conceived through in-vitro fertilization.
In filing the complaint in December, the medical board's executive director, Barbara Johnston, says Kamrava, while his patient was undergoing in-vitro, transferred a number of embryos that was "far in excess of [American Society for Reproductive Medicine] recommendations and beyond the reasonable judgment of any treating physician."
The society recommends no more than two embryos for women under 35 years old and no more than five for women over 40, for whom it is harder to get pregnant, according to guidelines published on its Web site. Suleman was 33 when she gave birth to the octuplets. The reproductive society expelled Kamrava from the group in September.
Additionally, the complaint says Kamrava should have referred his patient to a mental health physician after she repeatedly returned to him for additional in-vitro treatments shortly after each of her pregnancies.
"[Kamrava] failed to exercise appropriate judgment and question whether there would be harm to her living children and any future offspring should she continue to conceive," the complaint says.
Efforts to reach Kamrava on Monday were unsuccessful.
No hearing date has been set in the case.
|
[
"who was the complaint against",
"which medical board complained",
"When did Suleman have octuplets?",
"What work did Kamrava?",
"Who is the complaint against?",
"what is kamrava's speciality",
"What happened with Suleman?",
"Who received in-vitro fertilization?"
] |
[
"Michael Kamrava,",
"California",
"January 2009,",
"obstetrician/gynecologist",
"Michael Kamrava,",
"obstetrician/gynecologist",
"gave birth to the octuplets.",
"Nadya Suleman"
] |
question: who was the complaint against, answer: Michael Kamrava, | question: which medical board complained, answer: California | question: When did Suleman have octuplets?, answer: January 2009, | question: What work did Kamrava?, answer: obstetrician/gynecologist | question: Who is the complaint against?, answer: Michael Kamrava, | question: what is kamrava's speciality, answer: obstetrician/gynecologist | question: What happened with Suleman?, answer: gave birth to the octuplets. | question: Who received in-vitro fertilization?, answer: Nadya Suleman
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A German man is facing federal charges in the United States on suspicion of trying to extort money from supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband, using a photograph of the couple's then-7-year-old daughter, court documents said.
Edis Kayalar is charged with one count of extortion in a criminal complaint filed Thursday, according to Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.
The photo, apparently taken as a prank by their former nanny, shows the couple's daughter bound to a chair, court documents said.
Kayalar was deported to Germany from the United States in September after he had repeated contacts with Crawford and her husband, business mogul Rande Gerber. However, the complaint against him alleges, he continued to demand money from them.
Federal prosecutors are in contact with German authorities on the matter, Mrozek told CNN, but as of Thursday night Kayalar was not in custody.
If convicted, Kayalar faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison.
Kayalar first contacted Crawford and Gerber in July, according to the criminal complaint. He told Crawford, who answered the phone, that he had a photograph of their daughter and wanted to help them out because he is a "good person," the documents said. Crawford then handed the telephone to her husband.
Identifying himself as "Brian," Kayalar told Gerber he had a photograph of their daughter in "revealing clothing, bound to a chair and gagged," according to the complaint. He said he had stolen the photograph from the former nanny and that he wanted to return it because it "bothered" him and he felt it "just wasn't right," the complaint said. He told Gerber he wanted to give up the photograph so it would not end up in the tabloids, according to the documents.
Kayalar told Gerber he had met the former nanny at a bar about three months before, when the woman still worked for the couple, and that he had been at her apartment and gotten Crawford's number from the nanny's cellular phone while the nanny was sleeping, the complaint said. The couple notified the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
In the affidavit, an FBI agent states that she reviewed the photograph, which depicts the girl, who has since turned 8, bound and gagged in a chair and wearing shorts and a T-shirt. The girl told her parents -- who did not know it had been taken -- that the former nanny took it as part of a "cops and robbers" game.
Kayalar called again, arranging to meet Gerber at a bar in Venice, California, to return the photograph, the court documents said. He did not ask directly for money, but hinted that he was "broke" and would like a monetary reward for the return, according to the complaint.
Gerber brought a sheriff's deputy to the meeting. During the meeting, Kayalar told Gerber he did not have the original image with him, saying he had left it with friends for "security purposes," but showed him a copy he had saved on his cellular phone, according to the complaint. He told Gerber stole the photograph from the nanny's apartment along with a handwritten note saying, "The baby sitter went crazy and tied everyone up and they need your help! Please."
Gerber and the deputy then got Kayalar to call and arrange to meet the former nanny with them. When the former nanny -- who was not identified in court documents -- saw Gerber with Kayalar, she "became extremely upset and began to cry," the court documents said. She apologized to Gerber and told him the photograph had been taken as a prank, and that she initially had planned to put the photograph and the note on the front door of the couple's home "in order to pull a prank on Crawford" but had not done so.
On the way back to the bar, Kayalar repeatedly asked Gerber for money, the complaint said, saying that "he could get a lot of money from the tabloids for the
|
[
"What did Edis Kayalar use in the extortion attempt?",
"What is Edis Kayalar charged with in the U.S.?",
"Where is Edis Kayalar from?",
"What was in the court documents?",
"What was Edis Kayalar charged with?",
"What did the man claim to steal?"
] |
[
"using a photograph of the couple's then-7-year-old daughter,",
"one count of extortion",
"Germany",
"The photo, apparently taken as a prank by their former nanny, shows the couple's daughter bound to a chair,",
"extortion",
"photograph"
] |
question: What did Edis Kayalar use in the extortion attempt?, answer: using a photograph of the couple's then-7-year-old daughter, | question: What is Edis Kayalar charged with in the U.S.?, answer: one count of extortion | question: Where is Edis Kayalar from?, answer: Germany | question: What was in the court documents?, answer: The photo, apparently taken as a prank by their former nanny, shows the couple's daughter bound to a chair, | question: What was Edis Kayalar charged with?, answer: extortion | question: What did the man claim to steal?, answer: photograph
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A Mexican judge has issued an arrest warrant for reality TV producer Bruce Beresford-Redman in the death of his wife at a Cancun resort in April, his lawyer said Monday.
"We have been advised that Mexican authorities have issued a warrant for the arrest of Bruce Beresford-Redman in connection with the murder of his wife, Monica," defense lawyer Richard Hirsch said Monday. "This news, if true, is extremely disturbing since it appears that this case is being handled in a manner outside the normal procedures in Mexico."
The prosecutor in Mexico had said earlier Monday he had developed a "very concrete, very specific" case that was sent to a judge Friday for consideration of charges.
Quintana Roo Attorney General Francisco Alor said through a spokesman that the investigation file, with recommended charges, was sent to the judge on Friday.
"It is our understanding that the issuance of an arrest warrant normally entails a detailed judicial review that takes anywhere from several weeks to several months," Hirsch said. "It appears that the way this matter is being handled constitutes a rush to judgment."
Bruce Beresford-Redman was briefly detained after Monica Beresford-Redman's body was found in a sewer at the Moon Palace Resort on April 8. His passport was taken by investigators and he was told not to leave Mexico until the probe was concluded.
The former producer on TV's "Survivor" recently returned to his Los Angeles, California, home, to take care of family business and see his two young children, his lawyer said.
His lawyer issued a statement from Beresford-Redman Monday after learning of the arrest warrant.
"I am devastated at her loss," Beresford-Redman said in the statement, "and I am incensed at the suggestion that I could have had anything to do with her death. I am innocent. My children have had one parent taken from them by a senseless act of violence. I implore the Mexican authorities not to take their remaining parent by a miscarriage of justice and to do what is right, not just what is expedient."
Hirsch said Friday that there should not be "a rush to judgment," adding that there have been other unsolved deaths and an attack at the resort.
He cited the death of an elderly Scottish woman, who was found in a swamp weeks after leaving a pool for a walk, and a Canadian man who allegedly fell from a hotel balcony.
Jeff Toews, a Canadian, was found dead in May 2007. Investigators decided he died from a drunken fall from a balcony, but his family did not accept that explanation.
Julia Howard, a 77-year-old woman from Scotland, was found dead in a dense swamp six weeks after disappearing from a pool area last summer. Her family also rejected the police conclusion that her death was an accident.
A woman reported an attempted rape in her hotel room "several days after Mrs. Beresford-Redman's body was discovered," Hirsch said.
"We have brought this to the attention of the authorities and, in particular, to the attorney general in Cancun and asked them to pursue all leads before making a decision whether of not to charge our client," Hirsch said. "We feel that this case should not be a rush to judgment."
"There are strange things going on -- I think that need to be pursued," he said.
A spokeswoman for the resort directed CNN to a Mexican news report that quoted the prosecutor saying there was no connection between other deaths and the Beresford-Redman case.
The initial investigation suggested Monica Beresford-Redman "died of strangulation, because of the bruising," Mexican regional police spokesman Adrian Cardena said.
A source close to the wife has told CNN that she cleaned out the family bank account and took her two children to Hawaii because she was upset about her husband's extramarital affair. The couple later traveled to Cancun in an effort to repair their marriage, the source said.
A Los Angeles judge decided Friday that the children,
|
[
"what \"Very concrete\" case was sent to judge Friday?",
"What sent the judge on Friday?",
"When was the case sent to the judge?",
"what awyer for Beresford-Redman complains case being handled?",
"What does a MExican judge issue?",
"What says the producer himself?"
] |
[
"Bruce Beresford-Redman in the death of his wife",
"an arrest warrant for reality TV producer",
"Friday",
"Richard Hirsch",
"an arrest warrant for reality TV producer",
"is right, not just"
] |
question: what "Very concrete" case was sent to judge Friday?, answer: Bruce Beresford-Redman in the death of his wife | question: What sent the judge on Friday?, answer: an arrest warrant for reality TV producer | question: When was the case sent to the judge?, answer: Friday | question: what awyer for Beresford-Redman complains case being handled?, answer: Richard Hirsch | question: What does a MExican judge issue?, answer: an arrest warrant for reality TV producer | question: What says the producer himself?, answer: is right, not just
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A man accused of taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude through hotel peepholes and posting the videos online will plead guilty to a federal stalking charge, according to a court document filed Thursday.
Michael David Barrett, 48, will enter a plea on December 15, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in the Central District of California.
A criminal complaint filed in October accused Barrett of taping Andrews then making seven videos that he posted on the Internet.
Barrett's lawyer, David Willingham, issued a statement saying his client apologized to Andrews.
"Mr. Barrett accepts full responsibility for his conduct. He apologizes to Ms. Andrews, and expresses his deep regret for his conduct that caused her so much pain. It is his sincere hope that these events can now become an opportunity to make positive changes in his life," the statement said.
Barrett was arrested in Illinois but will appear in Los Angeles federal court, Mrozek said. Barrett is charged with interstate stalking, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
An Illinois judge released Barrett on bail in October.
Andrews, 31, is a sideline reporter for ESPN, traveling around the country covering college football games. According to the October criminal complaint, Andrews said that she became aware of the videos in July and that their posting has caused her distress, anxiety and trouble sleeping.
Her lawyer, Marshall Grossman, told CNN that Andrews is still shaken.
"She is a very strong young woman. Time is a good healer," Grossman said. "However, she continues to feel and experience the ramifications of what occurred every time she steps foot into a hotel room, and in her business, she lives in hotel rooms."
Andrews is now accompanied by additional security, Grossman said.
Grossman said he and Andrews are in the process of reviewing the evidence against Barrett and the plea agreement, and Andrews will speak before the court at the hearing next week.
He said Andrews wants "severe punishment" for Barrett.
The plea agreement filed Thursday alleges that Barrett recorded videos of Andrews while she stayed at hotels in Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Nashville, Tennessee.
The filing alleges Barrett made reservations at the hotels and altered the peepholes to shoot video of Andrews.
Barrett allegedly attempted to sell the videos to celebrity gossip site TMZ in January 2009. TMZ did not purchase the images, but employees of the Web site assisted in the investigation by providing information to Andrews' attorneys, authorities said.
Barrett posted the videos to other Web sites, Thursday's filing said.
CNN's Khadijah Rentas and Sonya Hamasaki contributed to this report.
|
[
"What was the man accused of?",
"who apologizes to Erin Andrews?",
"What is the age of the suspect?",
"Who did the client apologize to?",
"what was Michael David Barrett accused of?",
"when will he make his plea?",
"in whta way did he film Andrews ?"
] |
[
"taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude",
"\"Mr. Barrett",
"48,",
"Andrews.",
"taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude",
"December 15,",
"through hotel peepholes"
] |
question: What was the man accused of?, answer: taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude | question: who apologizes to Erin Andrews?, answer: "Mr. Barrett | question: What is the age of the suspect?, answer: 48, | question: Who did the client apologize to?, answer: Andrews. | question: what was Michael David Barrett accused of?, answer: taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude | question: when will he make his plea?, answer: December 15, | question: in whta way did he film Andrews ?, answer: through hotel peepholes
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A public memorial service for heavy metal rocker Ronnie James Dio is planned for Sunday, with members of the Westboro Baptist Church saying they will picket the ceremony.
The church in Topeka, Kansas, is known for its intolerance of gays and its picketing of soldiers' funerals.
A picketing schedule on the church's website said protesters will be at the Dio memorial at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, accusing the 67-year-old rocker of worshipping Satan.
Dio died on May 16 after a battle with stomach cancer.
Charges of devil-worshipping have often been leveled against heavy metal music. Dio, in particular, was a favorite target.
He popularized the "devil's horn" gesture, where the index and the little fingers are upright and the thumb is clasped against the two middle fingers.
He has said he was taught by the sign by his superstitious Italian grandmother as a way to ward off the "evil eye."
But many fundamentalist Christians have taken issue with the gesture, alleging that it is a tribute to the devil.
"Ronnie hates prejudice and violence. We need to turn the other cheek on these people that only know how to hate someone they didn't know," said Dio's wife, Wendy, about the planned protest.
Wendy Dio said the memorial will host a donation center for her husband's "Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund," named after one his songs.
Dio most recently was touring with Heaven and Hell, a version of Black Sabbath renamed for legal reasons. All shows were canceled last March because of his illness.
His last public appearance was in April at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards, when he accepted a vocalist of the year award for his work on last year's Heaven and Hell album. Dio appeared frail, but he spoke while accepting his award.
Born Ronald James Padavona in 1942, Dio's professional music career began as a high school student in the late 1950s.
His 1960s rock group The Electric Elves evolved into Elf by the early 1970s, when the group played heavy blues rock.
Dio's rock became darker with his band Rainbow, which he left in 1979 to join Black Sabbath.
Black Sabbath released three albums with Dio, including "Heaven and Hell" in 1980, "Mob Rules" in 1981 and "Live Evil" in 1982.
Dio left that band in 1982, but he had a brief reunion with the group a decade later.
He formed the group Dio in 1982 and later Heaven and Hell.
|
[
"what does the church say?",
"Who is picketing the memorial service?",
"When did the rocker die?"
] |
[
"they will picket the ceremony.",
"members of the Westboro Baptist Church",
"May 16"
] |
question: what does the church say?, answer: they will picket the ceremony. | question: Who is picketing the memorial service?, answer: members of the Westboro Baptist Church | question: When did the rocker die?, answer: May 16
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A trendy California sushi restaurant charged by federal authorities with serving whale meat offered an apology Monday, saying it "ignored its responsibilities" to endangered species.
Prosecutors charged Typhoon Restaurant Inc., the parent company of Santa Monica's The Hump, and chef Kiyoshiro Yamamoto, 45, with the illegal sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.
Although it is considered a delicacy in Japan and some other countries, meat from whales -- an endangered species -- cannot be sold legally in the United States.
"We write to address the misdemeanor charge recently filed by the U.S. attorney," the restaurant said in a statement posted on its Web site.
"The charge against the restaurant is true: The Hump served whale meat to customers looking to eat what in Japan is widely served as a delicacy," the statement continued. "In serving this meat, The Hump ignored its responsibilities to help save endangered whales from extinction and failed to support the world community in its uphill fight to protect all endangered species."
The restaurant pledged to set up procedures to ensure that it complies with laws and "becomes a good corporate citizen."
"We sincerely apologize. We pledge to work hard to re-earn the trust of the public and respect of our customers."
The misdemeanor charge carries a federal prison sentence of up to a year and a fine of up to $200,000 for the company, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.
The law firm for the restaurant and its parent company deferred questions to The Hump's Web site. However, Typhoon attorney Gary Lincenberg has said the restaurant accepts responsibility for serving whale and will agree to pay a fine, CNN affiliate KTLA reported.
The investigation into the restaurant began in October, when two members of the team that made the documentary "The Cove" visited The Hump, officials said.
"The Cove," which exposes the annual killing of dolphins at a Japanese fishing village, won the Academy Award for best documentary this month.
The restaurant, located at the Santa Monica Airport, is known for its exotic fare. Its Web site asks diners to surrender themselves to its chefs for "a culinary adventure ... unlike any that you have previously experienced."
Crowd marches outside restaurant
Armed with a hidden camera, the two women captured the waitress serving them whale and horse meat and identifying them as such, a federal criminal complaint said. A receipt from the restaurant at the end of the meal identified their selection as "whale" and "horse" with the cost -- $85 -- written next to them.
The women snuck pieces of the meat into a napkin and later sent them for examination to a researcher at Oregon State University. He identified the whale sample to be that of sei whale, prosecutors said.
The sei is found throughout the world's oceans. Whalers began to hunt them after the populations of right, humpback, blue and fin whales declined due to overfishing. It is now considered an endangered species.
In February and March, the activists returned and again asked for -- and were served -- whale meat, the criminal complaint said.
A DNA test of the meat smuggled out after the February visit confirmed it to be meat from the sei whale, Mrozek said.
During a final visit in March, officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observed the activists asking for "kujira," or whale meat.
One of the officers then saw the sushi chef leave the restaurant and return with a wrapped package that he seemed to have retrieved from a parked Mercedes, the complaint said.
The chef told a customer it was whale meat, the document said. Next, officials raided the restaurant, and chef Yamamoto admitted that he had served whale meat, the complaint said.
"Someone should not be able to walk into a restaurant and order a plate of an endangered species," U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. said.
Conservation agencies are engaged in an
|
[
"where is the hump?",
"What type of meat is considered a delicacy in Japan?",
"What did the chef do illegally?",
"what is considered a delicacy in japan?",
"what did the chef illegally sell?",
"What did Hump sushi do?",
"What is considered as a delicacy in Japan?"
] |
[
"Santa Monica's",
"whale",
"sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.",
"meat from whales",
"whale meat",
"\"ignored its responsibilities\" to endangered species.",
"whale meat"
] |
question: where is the hump?, answer: Santa Monica's | question: What type of meat is considered a delicacy in Japan?, answer: whale | question: What did the chef do illegally?, answer: sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose. | question: what is considered a delicacy in japan?, answer: meat from whales | question: what did the chef illegally sell?, answer: whale meat | question: What did Hump sushi do?, answer: "ignored its responsibilities" to endangered species. | question: What is considered as a delicacy in Japan?, answer: whale meat
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A trendy California sushi restaurant says it's closing after being accused of serving illegal whale meat.
The company that owns Santa Monica's The Hump restaurant had already apologized for the whale meat accusation earlier in the week.
The restaurant's Web site said: "After 12 years doing business in Santa Monica, The Hump will be closing its doors effective March 20, 2010. The Hump hopes that by closing its doors, it will help bring awareness to the detrimental effect that illegal whaling has on the preservation of our ocean ecosystems and species."
The investigation into the eatery began in October when two members of the team that made the documentary, "The Cove" visited The Hump, officials said.
"The Cove," which exposes the annual killing of dolphins at a Japanese fishing village, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary earlier in March.
Armed with a hidden camera, two women from the documentary captured the waitress serving them whale and horse meat and identifying them as such, a federal criminal complaint said. A receipt from the restaurant at the end of the meal identified their selection as "whale" and "horse" with a cost of $85 written next to them.
The women snuck pieces of the meat into a napkin and later sent them for examination to a researcher at Oregon State University. He identified the whale sample to be that of sei whale, prosecutors said.
The meat from whales, considered an endangered species, cannot be sold legally in the United States.
The restaurant, located at the Santa Monica Airport, is known for its exotic fare. Its Web site asks diners to surrender themselves to its chefs for "a culinary adventure ... unlike any that you have previously experienced."
Prosecutors have also charged Typhoon Restaurant Inc., the parent company of the restaurant, and one of its chefs -- Kiyoshiro Yamamoto, 45 -- with the illegal sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.
The misdemeanor charge carries a federal prison sentence of up to a year and a fine of up to $200,000 for the company, federal authorities said.
The Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act make it illegal, except under very limited circumstances, to hunt, kill or capture whales and also prohibit trade in the animals or any part of them.
CNN's Sonya Hamaski contributed to this report.
|
[
"For which reason is a sushi restaurant in California closing its doors",
"what is illegal",
"What is the name of the restaurant?",
"what was served",
"What caused the restaurant close it's doors?",
"What is the name of the restaurant that is closing its doors",
"what are the accusations",
"What is it illegal to sell in the United States?"
] |
[
"accused of serving illegal whale meat.",
"whale meat.",
"The Hump",
"illegal whale meat.",
"accused of serving illegal whale meat.",
"The Hump",
"serving illegal whale meat.",
"whale meat."
] |
question: For which reason is a sushi restaurant in California closing its doors, answer: accused of serving illegal whale meat. | question: what is illegal, answer: whale meat. | question: What is the name of the restaurant?, answer: The Hump | question: what was served, answer: illegal whale meat. | question: What caused the restaurant close it's doors?, answer: accused of serving illegal whale meat. | question: What is the name of the restaurant that is closing its doors, answer: The Hump | question: what are the accusations, answer: serving illegal whale meat. | question: What is it illegal to sell in the United States?, answer: whale meat.
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actor Charlie Sheen checked into a rehab clinic "as a preventive measure," his publicist said Tuesday.
Sheen will "take some time off" from his acting job on the CBS series "Two and a Half Men" while he undergoes rehabilitation, publicist Stan Rosenfield said.
In a joint statement, executives from CBS and Warner Bros. Television and "Two and a Half Men" creator/producer Chuck Lorre said they "support Charlie Sheen in his decision today to begin voluntary in-patient care at a treatment center. We wish him nothing but the best as he deals with this personal matter. Production on 'Two and a Half Men' will be temporarily suspended."
Rosenfield's short statement did not say what issue Sheen needed to address with rehabilitation or the kind of facility he is entering.
The announcement comes a day after a lawyer for Sheen's wife, Brooke Mueller, confirmed she had switched rehab facilities in her battle with substance abuse.
There was no information given about who was caring for the couple's twin boys.
Sheen, 44, and Mueller, 32, were involved in an alleged domestic dispute in Aspen, Colorado, on Christmas Day that resulted in a felony assault charge against Sheen.
Mueller's lawyer said Monday that she pulled out of The Canyon, a Malibu, California, rehab center, over the weekend after a "major breach of her privacy."
She immediately checked into "a private, secure facility" to continue her substance-abuse rehabilitation so she can be "the best mother" to her children, attorney Yale Galanter said.
Galanter said he was planning a lawsuit against the rehab center after confidential details of Mueller's treatment there were given to journalists over the weekend.
"I am going to make them pay like you can't believe for screwing over my client," Galanter said. "You can quote me on that."
A call to The Canyon by CNN was not immediately returned.
Mueller voluntarily entered rehab in the wake of the Christmas Day incident with Sheen, Galanter said.
Aspen police charged Sheen with felony second-degree assault, felony menacing and a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief. He was booked under his birth name, Carlos Irwin Estevez.
Sheen and Mueller married in 2008. Their twin sons -- Max and Bob -- will have their first birthday in March.
Separately, a Los Angeles county social worker visited Sheen's home Sunday to check on his children, Sheen's publicist said.
"The visit from [the department of children and family services] was routine and procedural," Rosenfield said.
Los Angeles County was asked by Pitkin County, Colorado, child protection officials to check on the family as part of a follow-up to Sheen's arrest in Aspen, Rosenfield said.
Agency officials declined to confirm or comment on the visit because of privacy laws.
CBS did not immediately respond to CNN calls for comment.
Sheen's history of trouble began in 1990 when he was dating actress Kelly Preston. Reports surfaced then that Preston had been shot in the arm. In 2001 Sheen told Playboy magazine that it was a "complete accident. I wasn't even in the room. She picked up a pair of my pants. ... A little revolver fell out of my back pocket, hit the bathroom floor and went off. It shot a hole through the toilet and she got hit in the leg with shrapnel."
The couple split soon after the incident and Preston married actor John Travolta in 1991.
In 1994 Sheen was the only celebrity client whose name was publicly released during the trial of "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss.
In 1996, adult film actress Brittany Ashland accused Sheen of throwing her on the floor and splitting her lip. Sheen pleaded no contest to battery charges and was fined $2,800. He entered rehab in 1998 after an alleged drug overdose.
During the course of his divorce from model-turned-actress Denise Richards in 2006, Richards filed a restraining order against Sheen, saying he tried to kill her
|
[
"What did Sheen's wife do?",
"what Announcement?"
] |
[
"switched rehab facilities",
"Charlie Sheen checked into a rehab clinic"
] |
question: What did Sheen's wife do?, answer: switched rehab facilities | question: what Announcement?, answer: Charlie Sheen checked into a rehab clinic
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actor Corey Haim was the "poster child" for the problem of addicts "doctor shopping" for dangerous drugs, California's top law enforcement official said Tuesday.
Investigators found that the former child actor was supplied with prescriptions for five controlled substances by seven doctors in the last 10 weeks of his life, Attorney General Jerry Brown said.
"Corey Haim actually obtained 553 dangerous drugs in just this year, as late as five days before he died," Brown told reporters at a news conference in Los Angeles.
The drugs included Vicodin, Valium, Soma, Oxycontin and Xanax, Brown said.
The coroner has not yet ruled on what killed Haim, 38, who died last month after collapsing at the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother.
Toxicology lab results are expected to be available this month for Haim, who battled drug addiction for decades.
Haim visited several emergency rooms and urgent care clinics with complaints of an injured shoulder or depression issues, according to Sara Simpson, head of the state task force investigating doctor shopping.
Los Angeles County Deputy Coroner Ed Winter revealed last month that Haim obtained drugs using prescriptions written under the names of 20 Los Angeles doctors in the past year. The coroner subpoenaed medical records from those doctors.
Haim also obtained at least one prescription of Oxycontin through the use of an illegally obtained prescription pad, Brown said.
State agents arrested one person last month in connection with what Brown said was a massive drug ring that obtained and sold the counterfeit doctor's pads.
Although Haim battled drug addiction for decades, his manager said his death came when Haim "was making major progress" with a program to wean him from pills.
Still, Haim sometimes threatened to find other doctors to prescribe him drugs when his primary physician wouldn't give him what he wanted, manager Mark Heaslip said Monday.
"I would be the only one who could talk him out of it," Heaslip said Monday night.
His doctor was providing pills only in one-day supplies in an effort to wean him, Heaslip said.
Haim's primary care doctor would constantly follow up with urgent care centers that he believed were writing prescriptions for Haim, Heaslip said. The doctor later gave the information to investigators, he said.
Simpson confirmed to CNN that Haim's doctor was helping investigators.
Haim had a prescription for the muscle relaxer Soma and the narcotic pain reliever Norco filled at a pharmacy February 26, a source with knowledge of the transaction told CNN. Two days after Haim picked up the drugs, his primary care doctor called the San Fernando Valley pharmacy to ask about the prescriptions, the source said.
An autopsy revealed that Haim suffered from pneumonia, an enlarged heart and water in his lungs when he collapsed March 10, Winter said.
Heaslip said he and Haim's family are convinced his death was not from a drug overdose, but was perhaps a bad reaction to a single pill he took in the hours before his death.
The pills, prescribed by an addiction specialist, came with a warning that they should not be taken by someone with a heart condition or flulike symptoms, both of which Haim had, Heaslip said.
"This kid was making major progress," Heaslip said.
His manager said that if Haim was cheating on his addiction program, he would probably not have admitted it to him since he would have dropped Haim as a client.
Haim began his acting career in 1982, with his first television appearance on the Canadian series "The Edison Twins." His first film role was in the 1984 American movie "First Born."
Haim also won rave reviews for his title role in the 1986 film "Lucas." Film critic Roger Ebert said of him at the time, "If he continues to act this well, he will never become a half-forgotten child star, but will continue to grow into an important actor."
His most famous role was in the 1987 movie "The Lost Boys," in which Haim played a fresh-faced teenager whose
|
[
"How many drugs did Haim obtain?",
"What age was Haim when he died?",
"Who called Haim the poster child?",
"How many drugs did Corey Haim get?",
"What is Haim fighting?",
"What did Jerry Brown call Haim?",
"What did Corry Haim get?",
"What did Attorney General call Haim?",
"Haim is the poster child for what?"
] |
[
"553",
"38,",
"California's top law enforcement official",
"553",
"drug addiction",
"\"poster child\" for the problem of addicts",
"prescriptions for five controlled substances",
"\"poster child\" for the problem of addicts",
"dangerous drugs,"
] |
question: How many drugs did Haim obtain?, answer: 553 | question: What age was Haim when he died?, answer: 38, | question: Who called Haim the poster child?, answer: California's top law enforcement official | question: How many drugs did Corey Haim get?, answer: 553 | question: What is Haim fighting?, answer: drug addiction | question: What did Jerry Brown call Haim?, answer: "poster child" for the problem of addicts | question: What did Corry Haim get?, answer: prescriptions for five controlled substances | question: What did Attorney General call Haim?, answer: "poster child" for the problem of addicts | question: Haim is the poster child for what?, answer: dangerous drugs,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actor Dennis Hopper died at his home in Venice, California, Saturday morning, his wife said. He was 74.
Hopper, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2009, was surrounded by his children when he died, Victoria Hopper told CNN.
While funeral arrangements have not been decided, Hopper's wish was to be buried in Taos, New Mexico, his wife said. She said Taos was "his heart home."
Hopper and his wife were involved in a highly public and bitter divorce fight in the last months of his life.
The actor made his last public appearance on March 26, when his star was dedicated on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
"I just want to thank you," Hopper said, as he smiled broadly."That's all I can do."
With his 6-year-old daughter, Galen, by his side, Hopper waved and bowed to hundreds of fans lining a barricade along Hollywood Boulevard.
Hopper's lawyer argued in the divorce case that his estranged wife's presence was hampering his fight with cancer, but the judge allowed her to continue living in the family's Venice compound with their 6-year-old daughter, Galen.
His lawyer said Hopper was too ill to attend a divorce hearing, but his older children, an 18-year-old son and two adult daughters, sat in a back row of the courtroom.
iReport: Hopper became honorary mayor in 2009
Hopper's acting career has spanned almost six decades. In the 1950s, he had roles in several TV shows and films, including "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955) and "Giant" (1956). He became a Hollywood sensation for "Easy Rider," the 1969 film he directed and co-wrote in which he played a dissolute, counter cultural biker. He was twice nominated for Oscars.
|
[
"Who was surrounded by his children?",
"What was actor diagnosed with?",
"Who was Hooper surrounded by?",
"Where did Hopper wish to be buried?",
"Who was Hopper surrounded by?",
"What did Hooper wish for?",
"Where does Hopper want to be buried?",
"What type of cancer did Hopper have?",
"What was the actor diagnosed with?"
] |
[
"Dennis Hopper",
"prostate cancer",
"his children",
"Taos, New Mexico,",
"his children",
"to be buried in Taos,",
"Taos, New Mexico,",
"prostate",
"prostate cancer"
] |
question: Who was surrounded by his children?, answer: Dennis Hopper | question: What was actor diagnosed with?, answer: prostate cancer | question: Who was Hooper surrounded by?, answer: his children | question: Where did Hopper wish to be buried?, answer: Taos, New Mexico, | question: Who was Hopper surrounded by?, answer: his children | question: What did Hooper wish for?, answer: to be buried in Taos, | question: Where does Hopper want to be buried?, answer: Taos, New Mexico, | question: What type of cancer did Hopper have?, answer: prostate | question: What was the actor diagnosed with?, answer: prostate cancer
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actor and filmmaker Dennis Hopper has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his manager Sam Maydew said Friday.
Hopper is being treated in a special program at the University of Southern California, according to CNN news affiliate KTLA.
He was expected to appear at an exhibition of his photography at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne but has cancelled in order to focus on treatment.
"We're hoping for the best," Maydew said. No other details were immediately available.
On September 30, Hopper was hospitalized in New York for flu-like symptoms and stomach pains. He was released the next day feeling "much better," according to KTLA.
The 73-year-old Academy Award winner is known for his roles in "Rebel Without a Cause," "Hoosiers," "Apocalypse Now" and "Easy Rider" -- the latter of which he also directed -- among scores of other films.
Hopper recently finished shooting the second season of the Starz drama "Crash," based on the 2006 Oscar-winning film.
|
[
"when was he hospitalized",
"Where is Dennis Hopper being treated?",
"What was he hospitalized in September for?",
"What did Hopper just finish shooting?",
"what has he just finished shooting"
] |
[
"September 30,",
"University of Southern California,",
"prostate",
"the second season of the Starz drama \"Crash,\"",
"second season of the Starz drama \"Crash,\""
] |
question: when was he hospitalized, answer: September 30, | question: Where is Dennis Hopper being treated?, answer: University of Southern California, | question: What was he hospitalized in September for?, answer: prostate | question: What did Hopper just finish shooting?, answer: the second season of the Starz drama "Crash," | question: what has he just finished shooting, answer: second season of the Starz drama "Crash,"
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actress and animal rights activist Eva Mendes hopes you'll shun fur as you shop for the holidays.
"Even if you buy a fur glove with the little trim, and you think 'Oh, my God, it's just a little trim,' that animal got clubbed," Mendes said.
Mendes took her clothes off two years ago for the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign, but now she wants you to see something less pleasant. She's narrated a video of PETA's latest undercover footage of animals being killed for their fur.
"These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive," she said. "They're anally electrocuted, just so the fur won't become tainted."
It's unlikely you'll see the 3-minute video on television because of its gruesome nature. But it shouldn't be hard to find it spreading virally online.
"It's not something you want to see," she said. "But it's something you have to see."
Mendes says she's confident that anyone who watches it will eventually ditch furs as fashion.
"Even if you don't do something today, it'll stay in your consciousness and you'll think about it," she said. "That's why these strong images are so necessary for people to see, because they'll stay in your mind, and maybe in your subconscious. They'll stay there and that will really help you make a more evolved decision in the future."
Mendes said her dog, Hugo, "changed her world" and convinced her to campaign against fur.
"I've become so much of a more just sensitive, empathetic person towards animals because of him," she said. "Because he's just so precious and I can't imagine wearing him or eating him, and what's really the difference between him or some little raccoon or some bunny or seal?"
Mendes stopped eating beef, chicken and pork two years ago, but she still consumes animal products such as cheese and milk.
But there is a great substitute for animal fur, she said.
"Go faux, go fake."
|
[
"What did Mendes say of the video?",
"What campaign was Mendes a part of",
"What did Mendes say",
"Who narrated the Peta video",
"Who narrates the PETA video of animals being killed for fur?",
"What did Mendes do two years ago for the groups campaign?",
"Who is Eva Mendes?",
"Who narrates the PETA video?"
] |
[
"\"These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive,\"",
"animal rights",
"\"These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive,\"",
"Eva Mendes",
"Eva Mendes",
"took her clothes off",
"Actress and animal rights activist",
"Eva Mendes"
] |
question: What did Mendes say of the video?, answer: "These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive," | question: What campaign was Mendes a part of, answer: animal rights | question: What did Mendes say, answer: "These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive," | question: Who narrated the Peta video, answer: Eva Mendes | question: Who narrates the PETA video of animals being killed for fur?, answer: Eva Mendes | question: What did Mendes do two years ago for the groups campaign?, answer: took her clothes off | question: Who is Eva Mendes?, answer: Actress and animal rights activist | question: Who narrates the PETA video?, answer: Eva Mendes
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Alicia Keys has 12 Grammys under her belt and now she has something else under there, too.
The 29-year-old R&B singer is pregnant with her first child, her representatives confirmed.
They would not say when the child is due.
Weeks of photos have shown Keys noticeably fuller in the mid-section and sporting a collection of loose-fitting black tops.
The father is Keys' fiance, producer/DJ/rapper Swizz Beatz.
The couple is engaged to be married in a private ceremony later this year.
Swizz Beatz, 31, -- whose real name is Kasseem Dean -- has one son from his marriage to Mashonda Tifrere. He also has a second son from a previous relationship.
Swizz Beatz and Keys have been friends for several years and worked together on one song for her current album, "The Element of Freedom," the publicist said.
"They're very happy," a source close to the couple said.
|
[
"Who is the father?",
"How many children does Keys have?",
"who will marry this year"
] |
[
"Swizz Beatz.",
"first child,",
"Alicia Keys"
] |
question: Who is the father?, answer: Swizz Beatz. | question: How many children does Keys have?, answer: first child, | question: who will marry this year, answer: Alicia Keys
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- An evacuation order was lifted Wednesday morning for more than 500 California homes on hillsides vulnerable to mudslides, authorities said.
With the sun shining over much of Los Angeles, officials told people who live in the foothill areas of La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge and Acton that they could return to their homes at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET).
Officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for those residents Tuesday morning as a precaution when heavy rains were predicted.
The dangerous mudslides did not develop, but this area was especially hit hard after a downpour Saturday unleashed a river of mud that damaged dozens of homes.
Several of the homes were declared uninhabitable.
A massive wildfire in the Angeles National Forest last summer burned hillsides where these homes are located.
|
[
"What has damaged dozens of Southern California houses?",
"What were people made to do because of the heavy rain?",
"what was issued as a precaution?",
"How many homes can people return to in foothill?",
"When was the Mandatory evacuation issued?",
"where can the people return to?",
"How many homes can be returned to?",
"What has damaged dozens of homes?",
"what has damaged southern california houses?"
] |
[
"a river of mud",
"mandatory evacuation",
"a mandatory evacuation",
"500",
"Tuesday morning",
"their homes",
"500",
"mudslides,",
"a river of mud"
] |
question: What has damaged dozens of Southern California houses?, answer: a river of mud | question: What were people made to do because of the heavy rain?, answer: mandatory evacuation | question: what was issued as a precaution?, answer: a mandatory evacuation | question: How many homes can people return to in foothill?, answer: 500 | question: When was the Mandatory evacuation issued?, answer: Tuesday morning | question: where can the people return to?, answer: their homes | question: How many homes can be returned to?, answer: 500 | question: What has damaged dozens of homes?, answer: mudslides, | question: what has damaged southern california houses?, answer: a river of mud
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Art Linkletter, the easygoing, smooth-voiced emcee famed for his long-running hosting gigs of the radio and television shows "House Party" and "People Are Funny," and author of "Kids Say the Darndest Things," has died, according to his spokeswoman.
Linkletter "died peacefully at home with his family on Wednesday," a statement from the family said. He was 97.
"Just one month earlier, while being honored at an event, he was asked what he considered his greatest life accomplishment," the statement said. "He responded 'Family.'"
Linkletter rose to fame as a radio announcer in San Diego, later becoming a program director. In 1944, he launched "Art Linkletter's House Party," a daytime CBS radio show that moved to television in 1952 and ran until 1969.
"Kids say the darndest things," was Linkletter's often-repeated phrase because of his humorous interviews with children. It became the title of his best-selling book, a country music hit and was reprised by Bill Cosby as a 1998 TV show.
The phrase began as a segment on "House Party." Linkletter would ask several children their thoughts on various topics; their responses were often hilariously absurd.
"I was Oprah before there was Oprah," he once told The Wall Street Journal.
Flowers were placed on Linkletter's star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame Wednesday afternoon.
His nighttime show, "People Are Funny," started on radio in 1942 and ran on NBC television from 1954 to 1961. According to Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh's "The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable Shows, 1946-Present," the show featured everyday guests who would be interviewed by Linkletter and then asked to do a stunt. The result for those who failed at the stunt was often a pie in the face or being splashed by water.
Linkletter also hosted a short-lived quiz show, "The Art Linkletter Show," in 1963.
At its height, Linkletter's fame was notable enough to make him part of Milton Bradley's "Game of Life," which featured Linkletter's endorsement and his photo on the game's $100,000 bill. His 1960 biography was called "Confessions of a Happy Man."
But the host's own life was touched by a famous tragedy. In 1969, his daughter Diane -- just 20 at the time -- jumped to her death from a sixth-floor apartment in Hollywood. Linkletter blamed the death on LSD, though the drug use was never confirmed. Linkletter became an ardent anti-drug crusader, releasing a hit record, "We Love You, Call Collect," which won a Grammy Award.
Of his five children, two others also predeceased Linkletter: son Robert died in a 1980 auto accident, and another son, Jack, died of lymphoma in 2007.
Linkletter is survived by his wife of 75 years, Lois, and two daughters, Dawn Griffin and Sharon Linkletter.
Linkletter was born Gordon Arthur Kelly in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on July 17, 1912. Orphaned as an infant, he was adopted by traveling evangelist John Linkletter and his wife, Mary.
After a short stint on Wall Street -- he was a typist at an investment bank at the time of the 1929 Crash, he told the WSJ -- he eventually moved to San Diego and attended college at San Diego State University. While in college, he took a job as a staff announcer at CBS affiliate KGB-AM.
Linkletter was an astute businessman. The owner of Linkletter Enterprises, he owned millions of acres in Australia and was a sheep and cattle rancher. He also owned oil wells and was a spokesman for several products.
CNN's Todd Leopold and Jack Hannah contributed to this report.
|
[
"What did Art Linkletter host?",
"What was Art Linkletter's catchphrase?",
"What was his biography called?",
"When was his biography published?",
"What was his catchphrase?",
"What shows did Art Linkletter host?"
] |
[
"gigs of the radio and television shows \"House Party\" and \"People Are Funny,\"",
"\"Kids Say the Darndest Things,\"",
"\"Confessions of a Happy Man.\"",
"1960",
"\"Kids say the darndest things,\"",
"\"House Party\" and \"People Are Funny,\""
] |
question: What did Art Linkletter host?, answer: gigs of the radio and television shows "House Party" and "People Are Funny," | question: What was Art Linkletter's catchphrase?, answer: "Kids Say the Darndest Things," | question: What was his biography called?, answer: "Confessions of a Happy Man." | question: When was his biography published?, answer: 1960 | question: What was his catchphrase?, answer: "Kids say the darndest things," | question: What shows did Art Linkletter host?, answer: "House Party" and "People Are Funny,"
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- As many of you already know -- because Tweets travel faster than airplanes -- Kevin Smith, the portly film director of the movie "Clerks" and the upcoming film "Cop Out," was "politely" asked to disembark from his Southwest flight from Oakland to Burbank because he was too large to fit in the seat.
Okay, let's be frank: He was kicked off the flight. The reason he was given was that his size infringed upon the space of the person sitting next to him and it could cause a safety risk in case of an emergency.
Does it surprise you that an airline that has charged a customer several hundred dollars for the service of transporting him from one place to another would subject said paying customer to the indignity of being told he's too fat to fly? I don't think it does.
Because this is what flying has become: barely one rung above bus travel. Southwest may have apologized to Smith, but what about the rest of us?
Scratch the surface of any frequent flier and you will find a raging cauldron of resentment (or endless angry tweets, like Smiths), a bottomless pit of despair and rage with no hope of satisfaction because, after all, fliers have no choice but to accept every humiliation if they want to fly. Most of us don't have our own planes -- or fly business class.
Myself, I'm old enough to remember when flying used to be fun -- but not quite old enough to remember when people used to "dress" to fly. But they did. It was an event to go on an airplane. Like going to a Broadway show. Pretty ladies with hats and smiling men in uniforms would bring you snacks, blankets and pillows. Beverages in real glasses. But at some point, the airlines started to lose money, started charging more and giving you less in return.
The tragedy of 9/11 hastened the end of any kind of special treatment. Boarding became a cattle call -- complete with prodding with a stick -- where you had to basically undress before you could get on the plane, take off shoes, coats, sweaters, get "wanded," step out of the line for frisking, and other debasements too horrible to mention. Soon they will be swabbing your hands for explosives. Really! I know one woman whose underwire bra had security stumped. (I have to check a bag just for the hair products for my frizzy hair; they don't come in less than three ounces.)
By the time you get on the plane, you are like a refugee -- the tired, the poor, the huddled masses in middle seats. Flight attendants can't dote on you any more, they are too busy scanning the group for potential terrorists. No more meals -- bad as they were -- no more cutlery. If you're lucky, something called a "snack mix" in a bag is thrown at you, making you beg for more water.
And less and less room. If you drop something on the floor, you can't reach it without putting your face in the lap of the person sitting next to you.
It makes you long for the fat days (you'll pardon the expression) of People Express, that 1980's no-frills airline that operated out of Newark. It seemed pretty terrible back then, but really it was just a preview -- every man for himself. Basically anything you got during the flight, you paid extra for.
When they did the safety announcement at the beginning, I would wait for the day they'd say, "In case of an emergency, please pay two dollars and fifty cents to have an oxygen mask drop above your seat." (Ha ha ha, right? Don't give them any ideas.)
But you flew with them, because they were so cheap. Now I'm wondering if that's a good enough reason anymore. How much can a body take, even a skinny one like mine?
Kevin Smith, I feel your pain!
I cringe
|
[
"where did this happen"
] |
[
"Oakland"
] |
question: where did this happen, answer: Oakland
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- At first glance of Friday's Los Angeles Times, you might think the Mad Hatter has taken over the newspaper.
Johnny Depp's colorful character in Disney's new film "Alice in Wonderland" dominates a faked front page, which includes the paper's traditional flag and two stories that appeared in the paper last month.
Los Angeles Times spokesman John Conroy said the "cover-wrap" was an "unusual opportunity to stretch the usual boundaries and design an innovative ad designed to create buzz."
Roy Peter Clark, a senior journalism scholar at the Poynter Institute, said tough economic times and lower ads sales have forced newspapers to tear down the ethics wall that separated a paper's front page from advertisers.
"The wall became in recent years a fence, but the Los Angeles Times has created a swinging gate," Clark said.
"What offends my traditional sensibilities is the notion that you would be willing to deceive the reader into thinking that this was the actual front page," Clark said.
Although Conroy said readers would not be confused by the fake front, several journalists in CNN's Los Angeles bureau did not immediately realize that the real front page was inside.
A Times reader who works for a movie marketing company in Hollywood said he felt deceived by the ad. He asked not to be identified because his company, which was not involved in the Disney campaign, deals with the newspaper.
"We propose these kinds of ads all the time but have never gotten them approved," he said. "I don't always agree with what we do."
He estimated that the ad would cost "well over $100,000."
Conroy would not disclose the price, but he said, "Our front page section is our most valued real estate. The ad was priced accordingly."
The use of real newspaper stories, published previously in the newspaper, to make the ad appear to be a real front page is another issue, Clark said.
"I'm particularly nervous about them running fake stories that are really real stories," he said. "That seems like a misappropriation of the journalism in the newspaper."
An online search revealed that the article on the left column -- headlined "To take reins on health proposal" -- was a slightly altered version of a story written by Tribune Co. Washington reporter Noam Levey. It was published February 18.
The second article, appearing on the right column of the Disney ad, was headlined "Major Afghan Figure Caught." The original story was published February 19, with the bylines of Times foreign correspondent Laura King and Moscow bureau chief Alex Rodriguez.
"If I had written one of those stories, I would be pissed," Clark said.
CNN has received no response from e-mails and calls to the three journalists.
Although they may not be pleased with their work being used in a movie ad -- without the byline -- they have jobs while many of their co-workers have been laid off.
The Tribune Publishing Co., the paper's parent, has ordered several rounds of staff cuts at its newspapers and bureau in recent years. Some have left in protest of changes in editorial practices aimed at boosting revenue, Clark said.
"There's been one editor after another that's walked out the door because they didn't want to cave in to pressure from the top to do the wrong thing," Clark said.
What he might have objected to five years ago, he could now accept it helps papers survive, Clark said. But not if it confuses editorial content with ads, he said.
"Every time I see a big ad in my local newspaper I send up a little cheer," he said.
When HBO paid the newspaper for a wrap-around ad last summer, for the vampire series "True Blood," it was not mixed with the flag or editorial content.
The Los Angeles Times drew criticism in April when it sold NBC the right column of its front page, where a lead
|
[
"Which ad uses two real stories?",
"What is the cost for all together?",
"What is tearing down walls?",
"How much is the ad estimated to cost?",
"What caused tearing down ethics wall comparing to expert?",
"What forces newspapers to tear down ethics wall?"
] |
[
"Disney's new film \"Alice in Wonderland\"",
"\"well over $100,000.\"",
"newspapers",
"\"well over $100,000.\"",
"tough economic times and lower ads sales",
"tough economic times and lower ads sales"
] |
question: Which ad uses two real stories?, answer: Disney's new film "Alice in Wonderland" | question: What is the cost for all together?, answer: "well over $100,000." | question: What is tearing down walls?, answer: newspapers | question: How much is the ad estimated to cost?, answer: "well over $100,000." | question: What caused tearing down ethics wall comparing to expert?, answer: tough economic times and lower ads sales | question: What forces newspapers to tear down ethics wall?, answer: tough economic times and lower ads sales
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Casey Johnson, heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, died of natural causes related to diabetes, the Los Angeles County coroner said Thursday.
The 30-year-old socialite was found dead at a friend's home January 4, authorities said.
Johnson was one of the great-great-granddaughters of Robert Wood Johnson, a co-founder of the pharmaceutical giant, and was the daughter of Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets professional football team.
She died of diabetic ketoacidosis, the coroner found. The Mayo Clinic describes the condition as a serious complication of untreated diabetes.
Johnson was in the news recently because of her relationship with Internet and reality television star Tila Tequila.
Several messages on Tequila's official Twitter page mentioned Johnson in the wake of her death.
"I can't stop these haunting visions of her and I. We made such a lovely couple, only beginning to spend the rest of our lives together," a posting said the day after Johnson died.
"Everyone please pray 4 my Wifey Casey Johnson," Tequila wrote the day of Johnson's death. "She has passed away. Thank u for all ur love and support but I will be offline to be w family."
Johnson's family also expressed sadness.
"The Johnson family is mourning their tragic loss and asks for privacy during this very difficult time," a family representative said in a statement on the Jets' Web site.
"The entire New York Jets organization is saddened at the news that Casey Johnson ... has passed away."
CNN's Tim Langmaid and Brittany Kaplan contributed to this report.
|
[
"what says Coroner?",
"What caused death of Casey Johnson?",
"What disease had been untreated?",
"Who had a relationship with Tequila?",
"What kill Coroner?",
"What does the coroner say?",
"Who had a relationship with Tila Tequila?",
"What caused Johnson's death?"
] |
[
"She died of diabetic ketoacidosis,",
"natural causes",
"diabetes.",
"Johnson",
"natural causes related to diabetes,",
"She died of diabetic ketoacidosis,",
"Casey Johnson,",
"natural causes related to diabetes,"
] |
question: what says Coroner?, answer: She died of diabetic ketoacidosis, | question: What caused death of Casey Johnson?, answer: natural causes | question: What disease had been untreated?, answer: diabetes. | question: Who had a relationship with Tequila?, answer: Johnson | question: What kill Coroner?, answer: natural causes related to diabetes, | question: What does the coroner say?, answer: She died of diabetic ketoacidosis, | question: Who had a relationship with Tila Tequila?, answer: Casey Johnson, | question: What caused Johnson's death?, answer: natural causes related to diabetes,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Charges relating to Michael Jackson's death will be filed Monday, prosecutors said.
Friday's announcement by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office did not say what the charges would be or who would be charged
Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician when he died last summer, had planned to surrender to authorities Friday afternoon at the Los Angeles courthouse branch near Los Angeles International Airport, but that changed when prosecutors delayed filing charges.
Murray's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, then told reporters he and Murray would instead be in a public park near the courthouse Friday afternoon to talk about the case. That event was soon canceled.
"In light of the district attorney's office announcement that Dr. Murray will be charged on Monday, we have canceled media access until after arraignment," Chernoff said in a written statement.
Murray's lawyers and prosecutors had been negotiating Thursday to have Murray turn himself in, but those negotiations broke down, a law enforcement source with detailed knowledge of the talks told Beth Karas of "In Session," on CNN sister network truTV.
"I don't know what part of negotiations could have broken down, in light of the fact that we've placed ourselves in the hands of law enforcement to surrender at any time," said Ed Chernoff, Murray's lawyer.
Los Angeles prosecutors could file charges at any time, however, setting up a scenario for Los Angeles police to find Murray on their own, arrest him and take him to jail.
A surrender -- in which a defendant turns himself in at a police station for booking -- would allow the doctor to avoid being seen in public handcuffed and escorted by police.
Chernoff said earlier Thursday that he and Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney David Walgren "share the goal of the efficient administration of this process."
"An arrest of Dr. Murray would be a waste of money, time and resources," Chernoff said. "We've always made it clear: You tell us where; we'll be there. I'm sure something can be arranged."
The doctor traveled to Los Angeles last week from his home in Houston, Texas, in expectation of possible charges.
Murray was hired last spring as Jackson prepared for his comeback concerts in London, England.
The doctor told Los Angeles police that he was with Jackson through the early morning hours of June 25 in an effort to help the pop star fall asleep, according to a police affidavit.
He administered sleep aids, and after Jackson finally began sleeping in the late morning hours, Murray said, he left the bedroom for "about two minutes maximum," the affidavit said.
"Upon his return, Murray noticed that Jackson was no longer breathing," it said.
The doctor stayed with Jackson as an ambulance rushed him from his $100,000-a-month rented mansion in Holmby Hills to UCLA Medical Center.
Efforts at CPR proved fruitless, and Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m.
The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson's death a homicide resulting from a combination of drugs, primarily propofol and lorazepam.
The coroner's statement said Jackson died from "acute propofol intoxication," but there were "other conditions contributing to death: benzodiazepine effect." Lorazepam and two other drugs Murray said he used are benzodiazepines.
The doctor told investigators he had given Jackson three anti-anxiety drugs to help him sleep in the hours before he stopped breathing, a police affidavit said.
Murray had been treating Jackson for insomnia for six weeks at the time of the singer's death. The doctor told investigators he gave Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol, the generic name for Diprivan, diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine every night via an intravenous drip.
The doctor told police he was worried that Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug and tried to wean him off it.
During the two nights before Jackson's death, Murray said, he put together combinations of other drugs that succeeded in helping Jackson sleep.
CNN's Ted Rowlands contributed to this report.
|
[
"Murray says he gave Jackson what kind of drugs?",
"what was the new?",
"What is Murray's first name?"
] |
[
"propofol, the generic name for Diprivan, diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine",
"Charges relating to Michael Jackson's death",
"Conrad"
] |
question: Murray says he gave Jackson what kind of drugs?, answer: propofol, the generic name for Diprivan, diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine | question: what was the new?, answer: Charges relating to Michael Jackson's death | question: What is Murray's first name?, answer: Conrad
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Comedian Betty White -- currently enjoying a career resurgence at age 88 -- said Wednesday that she credits her longevity in the entertainment industry to "sheer blind luck."
"I'm the luckiest old broad that ever drew a breath," White told CNN's "Larry King Live."
After a cameo on a popular Super Bowl commercial in January and a series of comedic sketches on Craig Ferguson's "Late, Late Show," White's fans campaigned successfully via Facebook for her to host NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
White admitted to King that she was nervous about the May 8 show and said she finds herself questioning, "What are they doing with me?"
She said she had been approached to host "SNL" three times "many, many years ago," but declined because she associated the show with New York, and as a California girl, "I'm so not New York."
White got her start in show business in 1949 on a local television show. She went on to star in two hit sitcoms, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Golden Girls."
"I think the reason for the longevity is that ... several generations have gotten to know me over the years so I've become ... sort of part of the family," she said.
Most recently, she appeared in the blockbuster "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. And to add to her current hot streak, White recently signed on to be a series regular on a new TV Land cable channel sitcom titled "Hot in Cleveland" opposite Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Valerie Bertinelli.
"I'm not hot again, but I'm surprised to still be working," White said. "I just am amazed and I'm thrilled and I'm going along with it and enjoying it."
White has also continued her work for animal health and well-being, including a 46-year partnership with the Los Angeles Zoo, calling it one of her two loves in life -- alongside show business of course.
"It's such fun," she said. "Why should you stop something you enjoy so much?"
|
[
"How many sitcoms did the comediad have?",
"What are White's two hit sitcoms?",
"Who will host Saturday Night Live in May?",
"How many comedian shows had hit sitcoms?",
"Which day white will host NCB'S?",
"When will White host Saturday Night Live?"
] |
[
"two",
"\"Golden Girls.\"",
"Betty White",
"two",
"May 8",
"May 8"
] |
question: How many sitcoms did the comediad have?, answer: two | question: What are White's two hit sitcoms?, answer: "Golden Girls." | question: Who will host Saturday Night Live in May?, answer: Betty White | question: How many comedian shows had hit sitcoms?, answer: two | question: Which day white will host NCB'S?, answer: May 8 | question: When will White host Saturday Night Live?, answer: May 8
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Corey Haim's death is linked to an "illegal and massive prescription-drug ring," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said Friday.
Brown's office is investigating "an unauthorized prescription under the former child star's name that was found during an ongoing investigation of fraudulent prescription-drug pads ordered from a vendor in San Diego."
"These prescriptions are very recent, and it involves Oxycontin and we're not talking just 40 pills, more than that," Brown said in an interview Friday with CNN Radio.
The announcement comes before the coroner has ruled on what killed Haim, the 1980s teen movie actor who struggled for decades with drug addiction.
Haim, 38, died early Wednesday after collapsing in the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother, authorities said.
"Corey Haim's death is yet another tragedy linked to the growing problem of prescription-drug abuse," Brown said. "This problem is increasingly linked to criminal organizations, like the illegal and massive prescription-drug ring under investigation."
Brown said the ring uses stolen doctor's identities to order prescription-drug pads that are used to write counterfeit prescriptions.
"The doctor whose name is printed on the form is usually unaware that his or her identity has been stolen for this purpose," Brown said.
Haim got two powerful drugs from a pharmacy 11 days before his death, according to a source with knowledge of the transaction.
His primary-care doctor did not know about the prescriptions and called the pharmacy two days later to find out what Haim had been given, the source said.
Brown's announcement did not specify whether any of the prescription drugs found in Haim's apartment after his death were illegally obtained.
Several prescription-drug bottles were taken from Haim's apartment, Los Angeles County Deputy Coroner Ed Winter said Friday.
Although the bottles indicated the drugs included Vicodin, Valium and Soma, no tests have been done to confirm what they are, he said.
Haim had a prescription for the muscle relaxer Soma and the narcotic pain reliever Norco filled at a pharmacy on February 26, a source with knowledge of the transaction said.
Two days after Haim personally picked up the drugs, his primary-care doctor called the San Fernando Valley pharmacy to ask about the prescriptions, the source said.
The doctor said that "Haim was not feeling well" and he needed to know what drugs had been prescribed for the actor, the source said.
The source, who worked at the pharmacy, asked not to be identified because his employer had not authorized him to talk.
Haim's manager, Mark Heaslip, and close friend Corey Feldman both said Haim began seeing an addiction specialist two weeks before his death.
Tiffany Shepis, who was engaged to be married to Haim last May, said on HLN's "Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell" that he was taking large amounts of Valium and Vicodin during their yearlong relationship.
"You're talking about a person that, at the time when I knew him, you know, was ingesting 40 some-odd pills a day," Shepis said.
Although the autopsy showed Haim's heart was enlarged and he had fluid in his lungs, the coroner's chief investigator said a drug overdose has not been ruled out as the cause of the actor's death.
"You can have somebody with an enlarged heart and some other medical conditions, but you don't know if the actual cause of death is from illegal substances, medication or heart failure," Los Angeles County Deputy Coroner Ed Winter said Friday.
Heaslip said the enlarged heart was evidence that Haim's death was not caused by a drug overdose, but Winter disputed that.
"There were some preliminary findings and we agreed to let the mother know what those were," Winter said. "It was explained to her that even though this is some preliminary findings that the doctor observed, there wouldn't be a final cause of death until the final toxicology tests are back."
The cause of death may not
|
[
"What was found in Haim's name during the investigation?",
"What they found in Haim`s during the investigation?",
"Which name is found?",
"The coroner says what is not ruled out?",
"What is the cause?",
"Which preseciptions?"
] |
[
"unauthorized prescription",
"prescription drugs",
"Corey Haim's",
"a drug overdose",
"illegal substances, medication or heart failure,\"",
"Oxycontin"
] |
question: What was found in Haim's name during the investigation?, answer: unauthorized prescription | question: What they found in Haim`s during the investigation?, answer: prescription drugs | question: Which name is found?, answer: Corey Haim's | question: The coroner says what is not ruled out?, answer: a drug overdose | question: What is the cause?, answer: illegal substances, medication or heart failure," | question: Which preseciptions?, answer: Oxycontin
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Demonstrators entered their third day of a building takeover at UC Santa Cruz on Saturday in protest of a tuition increase, an undertaking that a school spokesman called futile.
The occupation of Kerr Hall is just one of several demonstrations across University of California campuses this week after the regent's board approved a 32 percent increase in tuition Thursday.
University officials said the $505 million to be raised by the tuition increases is needed to prevent even deeper cuts than those already made due to California's persistent financial crisis.
Protesting students said the increase will hurt working and middle-class students who benefit from state-funded education.
On the Santa Cruz campus, where building occupations began last week with a library sit-in, about 100 students staged a sit-in in the second-floor lobby of Kerr Hall soon after hearing that the tuition increase had been approved, according to UC Santa Cruz Provost David Kliger.
The students made a list of 20 "demands" detailing how they want the administration to increase funding, spokesman Barry Shiller said. But the school has no plans to negotiate the demands with the student body, he said. The school just doesn't have the money, he added.
School officials hope the students realize that their demonstration is "not accomplishing anything" and is "just a disruption" to administrative duties on campus, he said.
The administration will continue to wait out the takeover, but Shiller said he is unsure of how long it will last. The school hopes the students will leave voluntarily, he said.
Are you there? Share your story, video
Meanwhile, uprisings on other campuses have quieted since earlier mass demonstrations.
At UC Berkeley on Friday night, 41 protesters occupying a building were arrested. Authorities decided to cite them for trespassing and release them rather than take them to jail, per an agreement with student leaders, school spokeswoman Claire Holmes said. Three students were arrested there Friday morning.
Fifty-two students were arrested at UC Davis late Thursday after they refused to vacate the school's administration building.
And UCLA's Campbell Hall was occupied for several hours Thursday evening.
The angry students are condemning a nearly $2,000 tuition increase.
The first change, which takes effect in January, will raise undergraduate tuition to $8,373. The second increase kicks in next fall, raising tuition to $10,302, university spokeswoman Leslie Sepuka said.
Students who live on campus could pay an estimated $17,200 in additional fees that include the annual cost of books and housing, according to the system's July 2008 finance guide.
The January increase of about 15 percent is more than double the average public university tuition increase last year.
On average, tuition and fees at four-year public universities nationwide increased 6.5 percent, or to $7,020, since the previous school year, according to data from College Board.
Students eligible for financial aid and whose families make less than $70,000 will have their tuition covered, the university said.
|
[
"Students are protesting what?",
"How much money does the University officials think they need to raise to avoid further cut?",
"University officials say they need to raise how much money?",
"How many students occupy US-Santa Cruz hall?",
"Students continue to occupy what hall?",
"What are students occupying?",
"Who is the University official saying there will be no negotiation?",
"How much do they need to raise?"
] |
[
"tuition increase,",
"$505 million",
"$505 million",
"about 100",
"Kerr",
"second-floor lobby of Kerr Hall",
"Barry Shiller",
"$505 million"
] |
question: Students are protesting what?, answer: tuition increase, | question: How much money does the University officials think they need to raise to avoid further cut?, answer: $505 million | question: University officials say they need to raise how much money?, answer: $505 million | question: How many students occupy US-Santa Cruz hall?, answer: about 100 | question: Students continue to occupy what hall?, answer: Kerr | question: What are students occupying?, answer: second-floor lobby of Kerr Hall | question: Who is the University official saying there will be no negotiation?, answer: Barry Shiller | question: How much do they need to raise?, answer: $505 million
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Dennis Hopper took what may be his final bow Friday as his star was dedicated on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
His lawyer and doctor told the judge overseeing his divorce this week that Hopper is dying of prostate cancer, but the 73-year-old actor was smiling broadly during the ceremony.
"I just want to thank you," Hopper told the crowd surrounding him. "That's all I can do."
"Easy Rider" co-star Jack Nicholson stood behind Hopper as Hollywood star number 2,403 was revealed with Hopper's name in front of the Egyptian Theater. Other stars on hand included director David Lynch and singers Johnny Mathis and Dwight Yoakam.
With his 6-year-old daughter, Galen, by his side, Hopper waved and bowed to hundreds of fans lining a barricade along Hollywood Boulevard.
Hopper's doctor called him "extremely weak" and said he weighs barely 100 pounds in a court document filed this week, but he walked on his own during the 45 minutes he was at the ceremony.
His forehead and right hand were bandaged, but not because of his illness. Hopper said he "took a terrible fall" and "got pretty screwed up" as photographers followed him outside his Venice, California, home Thursday.
"I want to thank the paparazzi," he said. "I know you've got a tough job, but sometimes you ought to be a little more sensitive."
Hopper, who is undergoing radical chemotherapy for advanced, metastasized prostate cancer, is also divorcing his wife of 14 years, Victoria Hopper.
iReporter captures the star ceremony
He is too weak and ill to be questioned by lawyers in the divorce, but attending Friday's ceremony "is a positive experience in every way," his doctor's sworn statement said.
The couple separated in January when he filed for divorce, claiming the stress of their relationship was threatening his life as he battled cancer.
"The presence of his estranged wife is hampering Mr. Hopper's present cancer care as she introduces significant additional stress into his life," Dr. David Argus said. "The less Mr. Hopper has to do with his estranged wife at this time, the more likely he is to have his life extended."
Victoria Hopper's lawyer did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
The divorce case is set for an April 5 hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
iReport: Hopper surrounded by friends, family at ceremony
Hopper said the Starz cable network paid for his Hollywood star ceremony, which cost $25,000. His last acting job was on "Crash," the TV series based on the Oscar-winning movie of the same name. Hopper's acting career has spanned almost six decades. In the '50s he had roles in several TV shows and films, including "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955) and "Giant" (1956). He became a Hollywood sensation for "Easy Rider," the 1969 film he directed and co-wrote in which he played a dissolute, countercultural biker.
|
[
"What was Hopper dying of?",
"What illness is Hopper stricken with?",
"What did Hopper's doctor recommend?",
"Which cable network paid for Hopper's star?",
"What is Hopper dying of?"
] |
[
"prostate cancer,",
"prostate cancer,",
"has to do with his estranged wife at this time, the more likely he is to have his life extended.\"",
"Starz",
"prostate cancer,"
] |
question: What was Hopper dying of?, answer: prostate cancer, | question: What illness is Hopper stricken with?, answer: prostate cancer, | question: What did Hopper's doctor recommend?, answer: has to do with his estranged wife at this time, the more likely he is to have his life extended." | question: Which cable network paid for Hopper's star?, answer: Starz | question: What is Hopper dying of?, answer: prostate cancer,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Dr. Conrad Murray, personal physician to Michael Jackson, was charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the pop star's death last summer.
A criminal complaint filed earlier in the day alleged that Murray "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson."
Murray turned himself in shortly before 4 p.m. at a branch courthouse near Los Angeles International Airport. He pleaded not guilty during a brief hearing before Judge Keith L. Schwartz.
The judge set bail at $75,000, despite arguments from prosecutor David Walgren that Murray is a flight risk.
The judge refused to suspend Murray's medical license as a term of his bond, but he did order him not to use any anesthesia on patients.
"I don't want you sedating people," Schwartz told Murray.
Read the criminal complaint
The involuntary manslaughter charge means that Murray caused Jackson's death by acting "without due caution and circumspection."
If convicted, Murray would face a maximum four-year prison sentence, according to prosecutors.
More on involuntary manslaughter
Members of Michael Jackson's family -- including his parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, sister La Toya Jackson, and brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Randy and Tito Jackson -- attended the hearing.
"Not enough," Jermaine Jackson said when asked what he thought of the charge.
"I don't like what happened," Joe Jackson said as he left the courthouse.
La Toya Jackson later issued a statement through a publicist.
"Michael was murdered and although he died at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray, I believe Dr. Murray was a part of a much larger plan," her statement said. "There are other individuals involved and I will not rest and I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served."
Her statement did not elaborate on what she meant in her reference to "a much larger plan."
Murray traveled to Los Angeles at the end of January from his home in Houston, Texas, in expectation of possible charges, his lawyer said.
He used part of his time last week to visit the pop star's resting place in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Murray, a cardiologist, was hired as Jackson's personal physician last spring as the singer prepared for comeback concerts in London, England.
The doctor told Los Angeles police that he was with Jackson at his $100,000-a-month rented Holmby Hills mansion through the early morning hours of June 25, 2009, in an effort to help the pop star fall asleep, according to a police affidavit.
He administered sleep aids, and after Jackson finally began sleeping in the late morning hours, Murray said, he left the bedroom for "about two minutes maximum," the affidavit says.
"Upon his return, Murray noticed that Jackson was no longer breathing," it says.
The doctor stayed with Jackson as an ambulance rushed him to UCLA Medical Center.
Efforts at CPR proved fruitless, and Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m.
The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson's death a homicide, resulting from a combination of drugs, primarily propofol and lorazepam.
The coroner's statement said Jackson died from "acute propofol intoxication," but there were "other conditions contributing to death: benzodiazepine effect." Lorazepam and two other drugs Murray said he used are benzodiazepines.
The doctor told investigators he had given Jackson three anti-anxiety drugs to help him sleep in the hours before he stopped breathing, a police affidavit said.
Murray had been treating Jackson for insomnia for six weeks at the time of the singer's death. The doctor told investigators he gave Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol, the generic name for Diprivan, diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine every night via an intravenous drip.
The doctor told police he was worried that Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug and tried to wean him off it.
During the two nights before Jackson's death, Murray said, he put together combinations of other drugs that succeeded in
|
[
"What was the cause of Jackson's death?",
"What did Jermaine Jackson say?",
"What year did the singer pass away?"
] |
[
"homicide, resulting from a combination of drugs, primarily propofol and lorazepam.",
"\"Not enough,\"",
"2009,"
] |
question: What was the cause of Jackson's death?, answer: homicide, resulting from a combination of drugs, primarily propofol and lorazepam. | question: What did Jermaine Jackson say?, answer: "Not enough," | question: What year did the singer pass away?, answer: 2009,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Felony fraud charges against actor Randy Quaid and his wife, Evi, were dropped Wednesday after she accepted a deal on a misdemeanor offense, a California prosecutor said.
The Quaids were facing felony charges of defrauding an innkeeper and skipping out on a $10,000 hotel bill in Santa Barbara, California, in September 2009.
The couple have paid the bill in full, according to Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Arnie Tolks.
After Evi Quaid entered a plea of no contest to one misdemeanor count of defrauding an innkeeper, she was sentenced to three years probation and 240 hours of community service, Tolks said.
The Quaids were first arrested in Texas in September on a warrant issued by a Santa Barbara judge. They missed several court dates since then, prompting the judge to order them to jail on Monday unless they posted $100,000 bail each, which they did.
After the couple showed up for a court hearing on Monday, their lawyer negotiated a plea deal.
While investigators had circumstantial evidence against Randy Quaid, they could not prove his direct involvement in dealing with the hotel or the credit card transaction, Tolks said.
Evidence showed it was Evi Quaid who handled the business with the hotel, he said.
Quaid, 56, is known for his roles in several films, including the "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies, "Kingpin" and "Brokeback Mountain." His younger brother is actor Dennis Quaid.
CNN's Brittany Kaplan contributed to this report.
|
[
"What charges did it drop against them?",
"were they accused of skipping out on $10,000 hotel bill?",
"what were they accused of",
"what was dropped",
"how much was the bill"
] |
[
"Felony fraud",
"facing felony charges",
"felony charges of defrauding an innkeeper and skipping out on a $10,000 hotel bill",
"Felony fraud charges",
"$10,000"
] |
question: What charges did it drop against them?, answer: Felony fraud | question: were they accused of skipping out on $10,000 hotel bill?, answer: facing felony charges | question: what were they accused of, answer: felony charges of defrauding an innkeeper and skipping out on a $10,000 hotel bill | question: what was dropped, answer: Felony fraud charges | question: how much was the bill, answer: $10,000
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Former teen idol Leif Garrett posted a $10,000 bond Wednesday after spending two days in a jail on a drug charge, a Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman said.
Garrett, 48, was arrested Monday at a downtown Los Angeles train station after police found heroin in his shoe, spokesman Steve Whitmore said.
He was 16 when he scored his first pop chart hit, "Surfin' USA," in 1977. It was followed by a four-year run of songs that kept young girls swooning and teens dancing.
When deputies approached Garrett Monday morning at the Metrolink station, he was "acting in a pronounced way, shaking and sweating," Whitmore said.
Garrett told them he was "nervous around law enforcement because of other meetings with them in the past," he said.
The singer did jail time four years ago after he was arrested with heroin while he stood on a subway platform at another Los Angeles transit station.
This time, Garrett told the officers that he had no drugs and he agreed to let them search him, Whitmore said.
As they searched, Garrett told them he did have a little heroin in his shoe. "That was found and it was black tar heroin," Whitmore said.
Garrett was taken to the East Los Angeles sheriff's station, where he was booked and held on bond. His court date is February 24, Whitmore said.
CNN's Michelle Wright and Alan Duke contributed to this report.
|
[
"who posted bail afher 2 days in prison?",
"What is Garrett's first pop chart hit?",
"When was \"Surfing USA\" a pop chart hit?",
"what was garrett found with?",
"What age was Garrett when he scored his first pop chart hit?",
"what age was garrett when he scored his first hit?"
] |
[
"Leif Garrett",
"\"Surfin' USA,\"",
"1977.",
"heroin in his shoe,",
"16",
"16"
] |
question: who posted bail afher 2 days in prison?, answer: Leif Garrett | question: What is Garrett's first pop chart hit?, answer: "Surfin' USA," | question: When was "Surfing USA" a pop chart hit?, answer: 1977. | question: what was garrett found with?, answer: heroin in his shoe, | question: What age was Garrett when he scored his first pop chart hit?, answer: 16 | question: what age was garrett when he scored his first hit?, answer: 16
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- If you stared at empty seats around your Thanksgiving dinner table, Robert DeNiro's newest film could help.
Parents who want their kids home for Christmas may do well by persuading them to see "Everybody's Fine," which opens next Friday in U.S. theaters.
"I'm hoping it might catch the moment, and it might catch the Christmas spirit and the Thanksgiving spirit," director-writer Kirk Jones told CNN over coffee in Hollywood.
The movie is targeted at people with parents, brothers, sisters or children, Jones said. "Pretty much everyone," Jones said. "It's about family."
The story centers around a cross-country journey by DeNiro's character struggling to bring together his grown children for Christmas, several months after their mother's death.
DeNiro reveals a sensitive, aging father who imagines that "everybody's fine" -- a solace for his lonely suffering.
Each stop reveals how his wife had sheltered him from bad news about his kids -- played by Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell -- and how they did not know how to communicate honestly with him.
His children were not living the lives he had fantasized for them.
"It's easier not to face up to the truth," Jones said.
Audiences emerged from preview screenings thinking about their own parents or children, Jones said.
"People are coming out of the movie, almost without exception, saying 'I've got to ring my mom, I've got to ring my dad,'" Jones said.
The strongest reactions have come from people between 24 and 35, many of whom told Jones he's "scratched a nerve," he said. "They were saying 'That's me. That's my dad. Those are my parents.'"
"Most people have got regrets," he said. "When they leave their parents, everyone looks back and thinks, 'I should have invited them on holiday with us that time or I should have made it that weekend or I should have just called them more often.'"
It's a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore's 1990 Italian film "Stanno Tutti Bene" -- English translation: Everybody's Fine. But Jones, a British director best known as the writer-director of the 1998 surprise hit "Waking Ned Devine," made this into an American story.
Jones took his own trip for inspiration before writing the screenplay, traveling by train and bus across the United States.
He realized the telephone wires he saw, stretching from pole to pole for hundreds of miles along the tracks and highways, serve as a metaphor for his story. "It's like a wave, a musical rhythm," Jones said.
Frank -- DeNiro's character -- spent his life manufacturing the protective coating for the telephone lines. "He protected the line of communication," Jones said.
But decades of exposure to the chemicals made him ill, as did his years of insulation from honest communications with his family.
"The irony is, when he's traveling, the children are talking about him through his wires," Jones said.
A personal irony for the director is that, for the 14 months Jones was making this movie about family togetherness in the United States, he was away from his own family in England.
|
[
"Who traveled the US for inspiration?",
"What did Kirk Jones tell CNN?",
"what does the story center on?",
"What does each stop reveal?",
"What is \"everybody's fine\" targeted at?",
"What is the story about?",
"Who wrote the screenplay?"
] |
[
"Jones",
"\"I'm hoping it might catch the moment, and it might catch the Christmas spirit and the Thanksgiving spirit,\"",
"around a cross-country journey by DeNiro's character",
"how his wife had sheltered him from bad news about his kids",
"\"Pretty much everyone,\"",
"a cross-country journey by DeNiro's character struggling to bring together his grown children for Christmas, several months after their mother's death.",
"Jones"
] |
question: Who traveled the US for inspiration?, answer: Jones | question: What did Kirk Jones tell CNN?, answer: "I'm hoping it might catch the moment, and it might catch the Christmas spirit and the Thanksgiving spirit," | question: what does the story center on?, answer: around a cross-country journey by DeNiro's character | question: What does each stop reveal?, answer: how his wife had sheltered him from bad news about his kids | question: What is "everybody's fine" targeted at?, answer: "Pretty much everyone," | question: What is the story about?, answer: a cross-country journey by DeNiro's character struggling to bring together his grown children for Christmas, several months after their mother's death. | question: Who wrote the screenplay?, answer: Jones
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Jesse James' Nazi hat was a gift from a Jewish mentor and does not make him a neo-Nazi, his lawyer said Wednesday.
James is at a treatment facility "to deal with personal issues" in a bid to save his marriage to actress Sandra Bullock, a spokeswoman for James said.
"He realized that this time was crucial to help himself, help his family and help save his marriage," she said.
A photo recently surfaced of James wearing the German Nazi hat as he raised his right arm in a salute. The hat may have been in poor taste, but it was given to James as a gag gift by his Jewish godfather, attorney Joe Yanny said.
Possessing Nazi memorabilia does not make someone a neo-Nazi, he said.
As evidence that James is no anti-Semite, Yanny said James lived for nearly a month in an Israeli kibbutz. His lawyer would not disclose what kind of treatment the famous motorcycle designer is seeking.
"I would request that his rights in regards to privacy and his medical matters be respected," said Yanny.
James has been the target of controversy and publicity since his separation with Bullock soon after she won a best actress Oscar earlier this month.
Yanny refused to talk about the condition of the James-Bullock marriage, which came under question when several women went public with claims they were involved with him.
"I understand people's desire in newsworthy stories, but I would hope that by now this wasn't such a newsworthy story such that his basic rights and privacy aren't continuously invaded in an improper manner," Yanny told CNN.
He said "99 percent" of what has published about James in recent weeks is untrue.
CNN's Brittany Kaplan contributed to this report.
|
[
"What was given to James?",
"Where is James right now?",
"When did James separate from Bullock?"
] |
[
"Nazi hat",
"treatment facility",
"earlier this month."
] |
question: What was given to James?, answer: Nazi hat | question: Where is James right now?, answer: treatment facility | question: When did James separate from Bullock?, answer: earlier this month.
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Lee DeWyze, a paint salesman from Chicago, Illinois, was announced the winner of Fox's "American Idol" on Wednesday night, edging out fellow 24-year-old Crystal Bowersox, a mother from Elliston, Ohio, affectionately known as "MamaSox" to her fans.a
After host Ryan Seacrest revealed him as the winner, an emotional DeWyze performed his rendition of U2's "Beautiful Day" while sparklers and confetti rained down from the rafters at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
The finale also marked the end of Simon Cowell's nine-season run on the show as the often-critical and sometimes foul-tempered head judge many contestants both feared and respected.
Former "Idol" judge Paula Abdul returned to the show to participate in the tribute to Cowell, along with many former winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino.
The night also featured performances from Janet Jackson, Alanis Morrisette, Joe Cocker and Christina Aguilera.
Cowell will be bringing his popular U.K. talent show, "The X Factor," to the United States in fall 2011, according to Fox.
|
[
"who did Dewyze beat?",
"Who joins to tribute Cowell?",
"what did dewyze beat",
"what is cowell doing",
"who is performing",
"Who beats Crystal Bowersox in the season finale?"
] |
[
"Crystal Bowersox,",
"Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard",
"Crystal Bowersox,",
"bringing his popular U.K. talent show, \"The X Factor,\" to the United States",
"Janet Jackson, Alanis Morrisette, Joe Cocker",
"Lee DeWyze,"
] |
question: who did Dewyze beat?, answer: Crystal Bowersox, | question: Who joins to tribute Cowell?, answer: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard | question: what did dewyze beat, answer: Crystal Bowersox, | question: what is cowell doing, answer: bringing his popular U.K. talent show, "The X Factor," to the United States | question: who is performing, answer: Janet Jackson, Alanis Morrisette, Joe Cocker | question: Who beats Crystal Bowersox in the season finale?, answer: Lee DeWyze,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's father suspects his son was murdered and that Dr. Conrad Murray is "just a fall guy" in a conspiracy.
Joe Jackson appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Monday night, just hours after sitting in a courtroom to hear Murray plead not guilty to a single charge of involuntary manslaughter in his son's death last summer.
A Los Angeles judge set bail at $75,000, despite arguments from the prosecutor that Murray is a flight risk and needs a higher bail. Murray posted the bond and was released several hours later.
Michael Jackson's family, including his parents, four of his brothers and one sister, filled the first two rows of the small courtroom.
"I was looking for justice, and justice, to me, would be a murder charge," Joe Jackson told King.
Prosecutors charged Murray, who was Jackson's personal physician, with causing the pop star's death "without malice" by acting "without due caution and circumspection."
Murray was with the pop star when he died on June 25, 2009.
The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson's death a homicide, resulting from a combination of drugs, primarily propofol -- a powerful anesthesia -- and lorazepam.
Joe Jackson suggested it was more than a doctor making a fatal judgment.
"To me, he's just a fall guy," Jackson said. "There's other people, I think, involved with this whole thing. But I think that he's interrogated -- he would come clean and tell everything he knows."
He said Michael Jackson told his mother, as he was preparing for his comeback concerts in London, England, last year, that he thought he would be killed.
"He was afraid to even do all of these shows, because he was afraid that he wouldn't get a chance to finish all of the show," Joe Jackson said. "He couldn't do all those shows back-to-back. Even his kids say that he had told them that he would be murdered."
Murray turned himself in shortly before 4 p.m. at a branch courthouse near Los Angeles International Airport. He pleaded not guilty during a brief hearing before Judge Keith L. Schwartz.
The judge refused to suspend Murray's medical license as a term of his bond, but he did order him not to use any anesthesia on patients.
"I don't want you sedating people," Schwartz told Murray.
Read the criminal complaint
The involuntary manslaughter charge means that Murray caused Jackson's death by acting "without due caution and circumspection."
If convicted, Murray would face a maximum four-year prison sentence, according to prosecutors.
More on involuntary manslaughter
Jackson family members later reacted to what they saw in the courtroom:
"Not enough," Jermaine Jackson said when asked what he thought of the charge.
"I don't like what happened," Joe Jackson said as he left the courthouse.
La Toya Jackson later issued a statement through a publicist.
"Michael was murdered and although he died at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray, I believe Dr. Murray was a part of a much larger plan," her statement said. "There are other individuals involved and I will not rest and I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served."
Her statement did not elaborate on what she meant in her reference to "a much larger plan."
Murray traveled to Los Angeles at the end of January from his home in Houston, Texas, in expectation of possible charges, his lawyer said.
He used part of his time last week to visit the pop star's resting place in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Murray, a cardiologist, was hired as Jackson's personal physician last spring as the singer prepared for comeback concerts in London, England.
The doctor told Los Angeles police that he was with Jackson at his $100,000-a-month rented Holmby Hills mansion through
|
[
"What was bail set for?",
"what does Dr. conrad murray plead?",
"Joe Jackson says he believes Michael was what?",
"what was bail set at?",
"who believes mICHAEL WAS MURDERED?",
"Who said Michael Jackson was murdered?",
"How long till Murray was out of jail after bond was posted?",
"Judge sets bail at how mauch?",
"What did Dr. Murray plead?"
] |
[
"$75,000,",
"not guilty",
"murdered",
"$75,000,",
"Jackson's father",
"Joe",
"several hours",
"$75,000,",
"not guilty"
] |
question: What was bail set for?, answer: $75,000, | question: what does Dr. conrad murray plead?, answer: not guilty | question: Joe Jackson says he believes Michael was what?, answer: murdered | question: what was bail set at?, answer: $75,000, | question: who believes mICHAEL WAS MURDERED?, answer: Jackson's father | question: Who said Michael Jackson was murdered?, answer: Joe | question: How long till Murray was out of jail after bond was posted?, answer: several hours | question: Judge sets bail at how mauch?, answer: $75,000, | question: What did Dr. Murray plead?, answer: not guilty
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- NBC host Jay Leno is going back to late nights after a low-rated experiment in prime time, the network announced Sunday.
Leno's prime-time talk show, which debuted in September, "didn't meet affiliates' needs," said Jeff Gaspin, chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment.
The program will go off the air February 12, when the 2010 Winter Olympics begin.
The network is now negotiating with Leno and its current late-night hosts, Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon, to decide who ends up with which time slot, Gaspin said.
O'Brien took over NBC's flagship "Tonight Show" when Leno moved to the 10 p.m. slot in September. Fallon took over O'Brien's former show, "Late Night."
Gaspin said the plan now is for Leno to host a new, half-hour show at 11:35 p.m. ET, followed by "Tonight" with O'Brien at 12:05 a.m. Fallon's show would move to the 1 a.m. hour, he said.
Do you think NBC did the right thing?
The goal is to keep all three hosts, but nothing was a done deal as of Sunday, he said.
Reports of the shakeup first emerged last week. Leno dismissed them on his show on Thursday night, telling his audience, "It's always been my experience NBC only cancels you when you're in first place."
Leno's move to prime time was a risk for NBC, because it put a talk show up against scripted prime-time shows and ran it five days a week. Network spokeswoman Rebecca Marks said last week that Leno performed "exactly as we anticipated on the network."
But for NBC's affiliates, Leno's low ratings were taking viewers -- and the resulting ad dollars -- away from their late local newscasts.
"The 11 o'clock news hours were bleeding ratings," said Stuart Levine, an analyst for the entertainment trade paper Variety. While NBC appeared to be fine with Leno's numbers, the affiliates "kind of revolted and said we have to have better ratings," Levine said.
Michael Fiorile, the chairman of NBC's affiliate board, called the decision announced Sunday "a great move for the affiliates, the network and, most importantly, the viewers."
"We admire their willingness to innovate, and their willingness to change course when it didn't work for us," Fiorile said in a written statement.
For NBC, which had promised to give Leno a full year in the 10 p.m. time slot, "It's certainly a little bit of egg on the face," Levine said.
Mediaweek analyst Marc Berman called the network's gamble on Leno "the biggest fiasco in the history of television."
"What they didn't realize was that the people who watched Leno in late night were not necessarily the same people who watched in prime time, so there was no reason to believe that his audience would follow him to prime time," Berman said.
Meanwhile, the O'Brien-helmed "Tonight" lost about half its audience "and actually really hurt late night, which is a big profit center for NBC," Berman said.
Moving "Tonight" -- which has held its current slot for decades -- back a half-hour is likely to hurt the show, and Berman predicted that NBC will be unable to keep all three hosts.
"My guess is down the road, they will give back Leno the 'Tonight Show,' leave it on at 11:35 p.m., and Conan will move to Fox," he said. "But if I was either one of those gentlemen, I would be looking elsewhere right now."
CNN's Doug Hyde contributed to this report.
|
[
"When will Leno's show go off the air?",
"what is mediaweek predicting?",
"At what time will Leno's new half-hour show start?",
"What month did the host move to the 10 pm slot?",
"When will Len's 10 p.m. show go off the air?"
] |
[
"February 12,",
"they will give back Leno the 'Tonight Show,' leave it on at 11:35 p.m., and Conan will move to Fox,\"",
"11:35 p.m. ET,",
"September.",
"February 12,"
] |
question: When will Leno's show go off the air?, answer: February 12, | question: what is mediaweek predicting?, answer: they will give back Leno the 'Tonight Show,' leave it on at 11:35 p.m., and Conan will move to Fox," | question: At what time will Leno's new half-hour show start?, answer: 11:35 p.m. ET, | question: What month did the host move to the 10 pm slot?, answer: September. | question: When will Len's 10 p.m. show go off the air?, answer: February 12,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Rain pounded water-logged Los Angeles on Thursday, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said more than 300 city residents were ordered to evacuate because of the threat of mudslides.
"We continue to urge the public who live in these areas to evacuate, to heed the warnings of our police officers and firefighters, our first responders, who are there to protect your public safety," the mayor said.
Just over 500 Los Angeles County residents who were advised to flee their homes earlier had done so by Thursday morning, said Capt. Sam Padilla of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The latest storm is part of a series that began Monday, drenching communities up and down the coast. Some areas have received more than 12 inches of rain this week, the National Weather Service reported. Flash flood watches were in effect Thursday night for Southern California, as well as central Arizona and southern Utah.
"While the worst of the last few storms is behind us, there still is a significant threat from thundershowers that are forming off the coast," Villaraigosa said at a news conference Thursday night, warning of the potential for lightning, hail and water spouts.
Los Angeles had four swift-water rescue and two urban search-and-rescue teams on standby to deal with potential flooding, according to the mayor, who said more were available if needed. There were three swift-water rescues Wednesday, according to Padilla.
No relief from the wet weather is expected until the weekend, increasing the threat of mudslides in communities nestled below hills that were stripped of trees and vegetation during 2009 wildfires.
Villaraigosa said the brunt of the storm was supposed to hit by 6 p.m. Rainfall totals of 1 to 4 inches are expected across coastal sections of California with isolated additional rainfall amounts of 7 inches possible, forecasters said.
Are you affected by the storms? Send your images and video
The rains are the result of El Niño, a warm ocean current from the South Pacific, according to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.
In coastal Pacifica, south of San Francisco, a huge mudslide left an apartment building teetering on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, CNN's Dan Simon reported. He said the four apartments in the building were evacuated, and quoted an engineer saying the building could topple into the water at any time. TV crews could be near the structure only briefly.
One man complained about being told to leave his Southern California home.
"You're talking about blocking us out of here for five days, evacuating until next week," he said to CNN affiliate KABC-TV in Los Angeles. "You know what, that's too many days, that's a huge inconvenience. I understand they're looking out for our safety ... but I'm not out driving around. I'm staying put."
See KABC's coverage of the storms
Villaraigosa said Thursday that U.S. geologists, sanitation workers and street maintenance workers will head into threatened regions Friday morning to determine whether it is safe for residents to return to their homes.
In the mountains of Southern California, the storms brought heavy snow, closing Interstate 15 at Cajon Pass and the Grapevine section of Interstate 5 for a time, the California Highway Patrol reported Thursday.
Heavy snowfall remains in the forecast for the higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada, southeastern Utah, southwestern Colorado and southeastern Arizona. More than 73 inches of snow has fallen in Chagoopa Plateau, California, since Sunday and more than 35 inches in parts of Arizona.
CNN's Sean Morris contributed to this report.
|
[
"what is a serious threat",
"what were the number of evacuees",
"From what county were the people evacuated?",
"what closes the roads",
"What types of weather incidents are occurring?",
"How many Los Angeles County residents were evacuated?",
"What is the reason they need to leave?"
] |
[
"mudslides.",
"300 city residents",
"Los Angeles",
"mudslides.",
"Flash flood",
"500",
"threat of mudslides."
] |
question: what is a serious threat, answer: mudslides. | question: what were the number of evacuees, answer: 300 city residents | question: From what county were the people evacuated?, answer: Los Angeles | question: what closes the roads, answer: mudslides. | question: What types of weather incidents are occurring?, answer: Flash flood | question: How many Los Angeles County residents were evacuated?, answer: 500 | question: What is the reason they need to leave?, answer: threat of mudslides.
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The autopsy on Corey Haim revealed the actor's heart was enlarged and his lungs were filled with water when he died, Haim's manager said.
The Los Angeles County coroner told Haim's mother that her son suffered from pulmonary congestion, manager Mark Heaslip said.
Heaslip said this was evidence that Haim's death was not caused by a drug overdose, but Brian Elias with the coroner's office said they are waiting for toxicology tests before deciding what killed Haim.
The 1980s teen movie actor, who struggled for decades with drug addiction, died early Wednesday after collapsing in the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother, authorities said.
Longtime friend and frequent co-star Corey Feldman asked Wednesday that people not "jump the gun" to conclude a drug overdose killed Haim.
Heaslip, manager to both Feldman and Haim, said he seemed to be winning his battle against drug abuse in the weeks before his death.
Haim, 38, was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, early Wednesday, where he was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. PT (5:15 a.m. ET), said Ed Winter, Los Angeles County deputy coroner.
Haim was in the apartment he shared with his mother, Judy Haim, when he "became a little dizzy, he kind of went to his knees in the bedroom," Winter said. "His mom assisted him in the bed. He became unresponsive."
His mother called paramedics to the apartment, which is between Hollywood Hills and Burbank, he said.
Haim had suffered from flulike symptoms for two days, the deputy coroner said.
"We found no illicit drugs. However, we did recover four of his prescription meds at the location," Winter said, adding he does not know what those drugs were.
Haim was "weaned down to literally zero medications" in the past two weeks by an addiction specialist, Heaslip said on HLN's "Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell" on Wednesday.
The doctor "put him on a new line of medications," Feldman said on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Wednesday.
Feldman pleaded with people not to draw conclusions that Haim died from a drug overdose. He said that until the autopsy report is issued, "nobody knows and nobody's going to know."
Watch Corey Feldman talk about his friend's death on "Larry King Live"
"I know that there were symptoms that he was showing that expressed it could be a number of things," Feldman said. "This could have been a kidney failure. This could have been a heart failure."
Heaslip that said Haim's mother, Judy, told him "there were no signs of him overdosing."
His death came as his career was picking up, with Haim booking "movie after movie," Heaslip said. His latest film is set for release soon, he said.
Haim "really became a man" in recent months as he helped his mother in her battle with cancer, Feldman said. "He's been there for her, taking care of her, being responsible," he said.
Feldman said he was angry about how Haim has been snubbed in recent years by the entertainment industry. He was broke, without a car and living in a month-to-month rental apartment with his mother, he said.
"We build people up as children, we put them on pedestals and then when we decide that they are not marketable anymore, we walk away from them," he said.
Haim's most famous role was in the 1987 movie "The Lost Boys," in which he appeared with Feldman. Haim played the role of a fresh-faced teenager whose brother becomes a vampire.
In later years, the two friends -- who appeared in eight movies together -- struggled with drug abuse and went their separate ways. They reunited for a reality show, "The Two Coreys," in 2007, but A&E Network canceled the program after slightly more than a year.
In
|
[
"Which actor died?",
"What type of test is the coroners office waiting on",
"What did Mark Heaslip say?",
"What did the autopsy show?",
"What did Haim struggle with for decades",
"When did Corey Haim die?",
"Haim struggled with what for decades?",
"What did he suffer from?"
] |
[
"Corey Haim",
"toxicology",
"The Los Angeles County coroner told Haim's mother that her son suffered from pulmonary congestion,",
"lungs were filled with water",
"drug addiction,",
"early Wednesday",
"drug addiction,",
"pulmonary congestion,"
] |
question: Which actor died?, answer: Corey Haim | question: What type of test is the coroners office waiting on, answer: toxicology | question: What did Mark Heaslip say?, answer: The Los Angeles County coroner told Haim's mother that her son suffered from pulmonary congestion, | question: What did the autopsy show?, answer: lungs were filled with water | question: What did Haim struggle with for decades, answer: drug addiction, | question: When did Corey Haim die?, answer: early Wednesday | question: Haim struggled with what for decades?, answer: drug addiction, | question: What did he suffer from?, answer: pulmonary congestion,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The children of a Los Angeles woman found dead at a Mexican resort last month will not be allowed to attend a memorial service for their mother Sunday, a judge ruled Friday.
A therapist hired by their father, a former "Survivor" producer named a "person of interest" in the investigation of his wife's death, said the service could be emotionally harmful to the young children.
Mexican authorities detained the father, Bruce Beresford-Redman, as a suspect the day his wife's body's was found. He was released a day later.
Sunday's memorial service is planned by Monica Beresford-Redman's sisters, who are also fighting for custody of the children.
"We respect the decision of the court, but we are very disappointed the fact that the children were denied to participate in the celebration of their mother's life," Jeane Burgos said.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff delayed any decision on changing the current custody arrangement. Beresford-Redman's parents were given temporary custody last month after he was told by Mexican police to remain in the country while they investigated. He recently returned to Los Angeles and filed papers for custody to be returned to him.
The maternal sisters have also petitioned for permanent custody of the children, ages 3 and 5.
Beresford-Redman was not in court Friday because of the swarm of reporters at the Los Angeles County courthouse, his criminal defense lawyer said.
Defense Attorney Richard Hirsch used the gathering of journalists to ask that there not be "a rush to judgment" about Beresford-Redman. He said there have been other unsolved deaths and an attack at the Moon Palace resort, where Monica Beresford-Redman's body was found in a sewer.
Hirsch cited the death of an elderly Scottish woman, who was found in a swamp weeks after leaving a pool for a walk, and a Canadian man who allegedly fell from a hotel balcony.
Jeff Toews, a Canadian, was found dead in May 2007. Investigators decided he died from a drunken fall from a balcony, but his family did not accept that explanation.
Julia Howard, a 77-year-old woman from Scotland, was found dead in a dense swamp six weeks after disappearing from a pool area last summer. Her family also rejected the police conclusion that her death was an accident.
A woman reported an attempted rape in her hotel room "several days after Mrs. Beresford-Redman's body was discovered," Hirsch said.
"We have brought this to the attention of the authorities and, in particular, to the attorney general in Cancun and asked them to pursue all leads before making a decision whether of not to charge our client," Hirsch said. "We feel that this case should not be a rush to judgment."
"There are strange things going on, I think, that need to be pursued," he said.
A spokeswoman for the resort has not responded to a CNN request for comment.
The initial investigation suggested Monica Beresford-Redman "died of strangulation because of the bruising," Mexican regional police spokesman Adrian Cardena said.
A source close to the wife has told CNN that she cleaned out the family bank account and took her two children to Hawaii because she was upset about her husband's extramarital affair. The couple later traveled to Cancun in an effort to repair their marriage, the source said.
Bruce Beresford-Redman built his career as a Hollywood reality television show producer. He worked for several seasons on the popular CBS show "Survivor," in which contestants compete against each other in a variety of extreme outdoor scenarios. He was nominated for three Emmy Awards as a producer on the show and was last credited as a producer in 2004.
He also worked on NBC's "The Contender" and "The Restaurant," as well as MTV's "Pimp My Ride," according to entertainment media company IMG.
Monica Beresford-Redman, a native of Brazil, owned a restaurant in Los Angeles.
|
[
"Who has been named a person of interest?",
"Who was the person of interest?",
"What would harm young children?",
"Where was the mother found?"
] |
[
"Bruce Beresford-Redman,",
"Bruce Beresford-Redman,",
"memorial service for their mother",
"a Mexican resort"
] |
question: Who has been named a person of interest?, answer: Bruce Beresford-Redman, | question: Who was the person of interest?, answer: Bruce Beresford-Redman, | question: What would harm young children?, answer: memorial service for their mother | question: Where was the mother found?, answer: a Mexican resort
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The most memorable moment of the 52nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday may be the onstage appearance of Michael Jackson's two eldest children to accept their father's lifetime achievement award.
"To all his songs, his message was simple, love," 12-year-old Prince Michael said. "We will continue to spread his message and help the world."
With a voice that sounded more mature than his age, he then thanked "God for watching over us these last seven months and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support."
Paris, 11, then spoke: "Daddy was supposed to be here. Daddy was going to perform last year. Thank you. We love you Daddy."
Prince Michael and Paris, along with several cousins, wore black suits with red stripes on their pants, and red armbands.
The children appeared after a rousing performance of Michael Jackson's "Earth Song," with a recording of Jackson accompanied by live performances from Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson.
Grammy producers used the head-to-head competition between Beyonce and Taylor Swift to lure viewers to stay tuned through the three-and-a-half hour telecast.
List: Major Grammy winners
Swift got the biggest Grammy of the night, album of the year, for "Fearless."
"I just hope that you know how much this means to me," she said in her acceptance speech. "Our families are freaking out in their living rooms."
Swift also won best country album. She won four Grammys overall.
Beyonce won a pair of Grammys over Swift, including for best female pop vocal performance.
Beyonce carried home six Grammys, including one in the major category of song of the year. That honor, a songwriters' award, was given to Beyonce for co-writing "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)."
For the best female pop honor, won for "Halo," the nervous singer thanked her family, "including my husband -- I love you." Beyonce is married to hip-hop star Jay-Z.
Gallery: Red-carpet arrivals
Alternative rock band Kings of Leon upset favorites Beyonce and Swift to win the record of the year Grammy for "Use Somebody."
The win gave the Kings of Leon three Grammys out of four nominations this year, all thanks to last year's "Only by the Night" album. The same album gave them three nominations last year, one of which they won.
"Use Somebody" lost out earlier in the show to Beyonce's "Single Ladies" for song of the year.
"The best thing about winning Grammys is really it's the first time our family gets to see the success we're having," Kings lead singer Caleb Followill said backstage. "We're getting my mom wasted."
What do you think about the Grammys?
Other triple Grammy winners were The Black Eyed Peas and Jay-Z.
Winners also included Stephen Colbert, the Zac Brown Band and Green Day.
The Zac Brown Band won best new artist. Lady Gaga, considered by many to be this year's biggest breakout act, was ruled ineligible because she had a song released and nominated last year.
Behind-the-scenes: Our Marquee blog
Stephen Colbert won best comedy album for "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!" Rap/sung collaboration went to Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West.
Green Day won best rock album.
"Now I'm going to do shots with Kings of Leon," Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong said.
Lady Gaga, whose performance opened the show, won two Grammys presented in the pre-telecast. Her single "Poker Face" beat out songs by the Black Eyed Peas, Madonna and Britney Spears in the best dance recording category. Her CD "The Fame" also won a Grammy for best electronic/dance.
CNN's KJ Matthews and David Daniels
|
[
"Who won album of the year?",
"Who accepted Michael Jackson's award?",
"Who accepted the lifetime achievement award?",
"How many Grammys did Beyonce win?"
] |
[
"Swift",
"two eldest children",
"Michael Jackson's two eldest children",
"six"
] |
question: Who won album of the year?, answer: Swift | question: Who accepted Michael Jackson's award?, answer: two eldest children | question: Who accepted the lifetime achievement award?, answer: Michael Jackson's two eldest children | question: How many Grammys did Beyonce win?, answer: six
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The parents of a California girl who was allegedly raped and killed by a registered sex offender are calling for tougher standards against repeat offenders.
"How many times do our daughters need to be raped before we put these monsters behind bars forever?" said Kelly King, mother of 17-year-old Chelsea King, in an interview Thursday with CNN's "Larry King Live."
"I just don't -- I don't get it. Change has to be made," she continued, "and I know that there are people out there that are trying to, you know, get this change in place."
She said she and her husband, Brent King, "are committed for the rest of our lives to be a part of that."
On Wednesday, John Albert Gardner III, 30, a registered sex offender, was charged in the rape and murder of Chelsea, who lived in the San Diego area. Gardner, who is being represented by a public defender, was also charged Wednesday with assault with intent to commit rape in an attack on a jogger in December 2009.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Gardner, of Lake Elsinore, California, will not be allowed to post bail.
If convicted, the charges against Gardner make him eligible for the death penalty, the San Diego County district attorney's office said Wednesday. The prosecutor's office said it has not determined whether it will seek capital punishment.
For the Kings, there's no question.
"I think the death penalty is a very appropriate punishment for this case," Kelly King.
Brent King said he had "100 percent agreement" with his wife.
Searchers found a body on Tuesday they believe to be that of Chelsea King. Police arrested Gardner on Sunday.
King had been missing since February 25. Investigators said she was last seen at her school in Poway, about 15 miles north of San Diego. Her car, with her cell phone inside, was found at Rancho Bernardo Community Park.
Searchers found remains in a shallow grave at that park; they were found along the shoreline of a tributary south of a lake, authorities said. The body was found in a heavily wooded area not visible from nearby homes. A shoe had been found earlier in the same area, the sheriff said.
King's parents, noting she was a great student and avid runner, said she had gone for a run at the park before she disappeared.
"It's a lovely area, very peaceful, very picturesque -- exactly what Chelsea ... loved to be in," Kelly King said.
She said the couple's son, 13-year-old Tyler, was extremely close to his sister. "He's struggling through it just like us," Brent King added.
Gardner's next court appearance, a status hearing, is scheduled for Tuesday. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 18.
|
[
"Whose parents make an appearance on \"Larry King Live\"?",
"What did Chelsea's mother say is very appropriate punishment?",
"Which program did Chelsea King's parents make an appearance?",
"What do they call for against repeat sex offenders?",
"Who pleaded not guilty for raping and murdering Chelsea King?",
"Who is the registered sex offender?"
] |
[
"Chelsea",
"death penalty,",
"Live.\"",
"tougher standards",
"John Albert Gardner III,",
"John Albert Gardner III,"
] |
question: Whose parents make an appearance on "Larry King Live"?, answer: Chelsea | question: What did Chelsea's mother say is very appropriate punishment?, answer: death penalty, | question: Which program did Chelsea King's parents make an appearance?, answer: Live." | question: What do they call for against repeat sex offenders?, answer: tougher standards | question: Who pleaded not guilty for raping and murdering Chelsea King?, answer: John Albert Gardner III, | question: Who is the registered sex offender?, answer: John Albert Gardner III,
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The venerable Smithsonian Institution, often dubbed "America's Attic," said no Tuesday to adding a piece of 1990s history to its collections.
A day earlier, a California judge approved an agreement to donate the brownish-green suit O.J. Simpson wore the day in 1995 that he was acquitted of murder -- if museum officials wanted it. But they didn't.
"The curators feel that it doesn't fit with the collections here at the National Museum of American History," Valeska Hilbig, spokeswoman for the museum, told CNN Radio Tuesday.
The museum houses iconic memorabilia, such as a pair of Judy Garland's ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz," the hat Abraham Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated and a piece of a lunch counter from a Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina, that was the site of a civil rights sit-in.
The museum on the National Mall in Washington is also home of the original "Star Spangled Banner," which inspired poet Francis Scott Key to pen the lyrics to what would become the national anthem.
The agreement to donate the suit ended a years-long battled between Fred Goldman, the father of the man the ex-National Football League star was accused of killing, and Simpson's former sports agent, Mike Gilbert, who has possession of the suit.
But no one checked with the Smithsonian before making the announcement. Hilbig said there was no official offer to donate the suit and that officials learned of the potential deal on the Internet.
With the Smithsonian's rejection, the parties will look for another museum to take the suit, per the Los Angeles County Superior Court order on Monday.
"I suggested to go back to USC (the University of Southern California, where Simpson starred in college football), even though they've distanced themselves, or maybe the Pro Football Hall of Fame museum," said Simpson's attorney, Ronald Slates, who said he was disappointed in the Smithsonian's decision.
"We had worked six hours on Monday to reach the settlement, and to find the finest museum in America turning down what is truly a piece of highly controversial litigation in the United States -- it was very disappointing," he said.
"Of all the museums in the United States, this would be the one most open because it is our national museum," he said. "It deals with the ups and downs of America. You don't see the Smithsonian walking away from days of the Depression -- which were certainly horrible days in our history -- because it was so horrible. So, I thought this would be the museum to house this, even as controversial as it is."
Simpson stood trial on charges of stabbing to death his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Fred Goldman's son, Ronald, outside her luxury townhouse in Brentwood on June 12, 1994.
The trial lasted more than nine months and ended on October 3, 1995, with a jury finding Simpson not guilty.
Later, the families of Brown and Goldman took Simpson to civil court to seek damages for wrongful death.
That jury found Simpson liable for the deaths and awarded $8.5 million in compensatory damages to the Goldman family and to Ron Goldman's biological mother.
Since then, Fred Goldman has been trying to collect the money. Simpson has consistently said he did not kill the two and should not have to pay.
In 2008, Gilbert appeared on the "Dr. Phil" television show, claiming he had the suit and pants Simpson wore on the day of the acquittal. He also said the "acquittal suit" -- as it came to be known -- was worth $50,000.
Monday's decision, said Goldman, "takes any option out of the killer's hands or Gilbert's hands to sell it and make money on it."
Meanwhile, Simpson, 62, is serving a nine-year sentence in Nevada after his conviction on robbery and kidnapping charges in an unrelated case.
The case involved a botched attempt in September
|
[
"who had the suit",
"what was simpson acquitted of",
"what did smithsonian say",
"Who he was acquitted of murder?",
"What was it approved by the judge?",
"What did Smithsonian comment?"
] |
[
"Simpson's former sports agent, Mike Gilbert,",
"murder",
"\"The curators feel that it doesn't fit with the collections here at the National Museum of American History,\"",
"O.J. Simpson",
"an agreement to donate the brownish-green suit O.J. Simpson wore the day in 1995 that he",
"\"The curators feel that it doesn't fit with the collections here at the National Museum of American History,\""
] |
question: who had the suit, answer: Simpson's former sports agent, Mike Gilbert, | question: what was simpson acquitted of, answer: murder | question: what did smithsonian say, answer: "The curators feel that it doesn't fit with the collections here at the National Museum of American History," | question: Who he was acquitted of murder?, answer: O.J. Simpson | question: What was it approved by the judge?, answer: an agreement to donate the brownish-green suit O.J. Simpson wore the day in 1995 that he | question: What did Smithsonian comment?, answer: "The curators feel that it doesn't fit with the collections here at the National Museum of American History,"
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- There's an innocence to Jessica Biel, she says.
The actress, who has starred in "The Illusionist" and "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," wanted to tap into her childlike side for "Planet 51," a new animated film about an Earth astronaut who lands on a faraway planet that has much in common with 1950s America -- except for the aliens.
"I love that kind of throwback to a more of innocent time and a simpler time and more conservative," she told CNN. "There's something just kind of attractive about that, those kinds of qualities to me, and I just thought it would be fun."
"Planet 51," which also features the voice work of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Justin Long and Gary Oldman, opens Friday. Biel sat down with CNN to talk about the film, the challenges of voice work and the difficulty of finding good roles for actresses. The following is an edited version of the interview.
CNN: Why did you choose to do something animated?
Jessica Biel: I think I chose this part because I'm kind of a kid at heart and I really thought the story was so sweet and fun. ... I wasn't doing anything. I was able to work in town, at home in L.A., which is so rare.
CNN: You could probably wear your pajamas to work.
Biel: Pretty much. Roll in, no hair and makeup. I just always wanted to be a voice in some great movie where some little girl loves my character.
CNN: Did you get to meet [your co-stars] when you were doing the voices?
Biel: I never saw them, never met them. I mean, I know Dwayne, I've known Dwayne for a long time. I met Justin before, but I never saw them once. It was such an interesting experience to be there by yourself kind of going through it. But ... it goes fast. You're there, it's fast, it's fun.
CNN: Who's your character?
Biel: I play Neera, who is this lovely 16-year-old girl. ... She's insecure about boys but also has a sense of confidence for herself, very independent, and is not listening to what the government is saying about this alien [the Earthling] who's landed on her planet.
She is standing up on her own two feet, thinking for herself. ... So she's, you know, she's trying to find out who she is as a woman.
CNN: You do have a strong female character and it's such a good role model for young girls. Is it hard to find that in films today?
Biel: It is. It's very hard. I mean, honestly, it's just rare to find a story about a woman's experience, about a young girl's experience. For some reason nobody wants to make those movies.
And it's really hard because there are so many talented women and there are not enough projects for everybody to really blossom and explore. So it's quite competitive because there's a small amount of material.
CNN: Is it hard for Hollywood to write those kinds of roles?
Biel: I don't know what it is. I'm still trying to decipher that.
|
[
"What film is Biel voicing?",
"What did she want to reflect?",
"What says Biel?"
] |
[
"\"Planet 51,\"",
"childlike side",
"\"I love that kind of throwback to a more of innocent time and a simpler time and more conservative,\""
] |
question: What film is Biel voicing?, answer: "Planet 51," | question: What did she want to reflect?, answer: childlike side | question: What says Biel?, answer: "I love that kind of throwback to a more of innocent time and a simpler time and more conservative,"
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Tiger Woods has canceled plans to attend his own golf tournament in southern California because of injuries he suffered near his Florida home early Friday, the pro golfer said in a statement Monday.
"I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week," Woods said of the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California. "I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I'm very sorry that I can't be there."
He also canceled a Tuesday news conference for the start of the tournament, which helps raise money for Tiger Woods Foundation programs.
Woods suffered minor injuries in a vehicle accident early Friday in his luxury neighborhood near Orlando, Florida, according to a police accident report.
State police in Florida said Monday an investigation of the single-vehicle crash "is ongoing and charges are pending."
The incident has ended Woods' golf appearances until next season, according to a statement posted on his Web site.
"Woods will not participate in any other tournaments in 2009 and will return to action next year," the statement said.
The PGA Tour has ended for the year, but the first tournament of the 2010 season is just five weeks away. At least one other charity event is scheduled, but it is not clear if Woods had planned to attend.
The Chevron World Challenge will go on despite the absence of its host, said Greg McLaughlin, president of Woods' foundation.
"We support Tiger's decision and are confident the strong field and excellent course will provide an exciting week of competition at the Chevron World Challenge," McLaughlin said.
In a statement issued Sunday afternoon on his Web site, Woods offered no details of his wreck except to say he had cuts and bruises and was "pretty sore."
"This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me," he said. "I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again."
According to a police report, Woods pulled out of his driveway about 2:25 a.m. Friday in a 2009 Cadillac SUV and struck a fire hydrant, then a tree.
Authorities have said they don't have details on why Woods was driving away from his home at such an early hour, but a police report said the wreck was not alcohol-related.
State troopers have unsuccessfully asked three times to question him about the wreck, police said. Woods canceled the third scheduled interview on Sunday, Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes told CNN.
"We have been informed by the Florida Highway Patrol that further discussion with them is both voluntary and optional," said Woods' agent Mark Steinberg, in a written statement. "Although Tiger realizes that there is a great deal of public curiosity, it has been conveyed to FHP that he simply has nothing more to add and wishes to protect the privacy of his family."
Under Florida law, Woods must show his license, registration and proof of insurance to police, but is not obligated to give a statement on the crash. His attorney Mark NeJame handed over the required documents to the troopers Sunday at Woods' home, Montes said.
Opinion: Tiger Woods is only human
NeJame told CNN he stood by Woods' statement and had no further comment.
"If we're unable to meet with him, we'll move on with our investigation," Montes said. But she called the delays "very unusual, because it's such a minor accident."
Profile: Tiger Woods
Last week, a story in the National Enquirer alleged that Woods has been seeing a New York nightclub hostess. The Associated Press contacted the woman and reported she denied having an affair with Woods.
The 33-year-old golf phenomenon has won the Masters tournament and the PGA tournament each four times, as well as three U.S. Open Championships.
Investigators had sought possible surveillance tapes of the wreck from neighbors, but none were found, she said.
Toobin: Why Tiger Woods
|
[
"Who had minor injuries?",
"that day was the car accident that took Woods",
"What will go on without Woods?",
"What did Wood have?",
"Who will continue investigating after Woods delays?",
"What will the police do?"
] |
[
"Tiger Woods",
"early Friday",
"Chevron World Challenge",
"injuries",
"Montes",
"we'll move on with our investigation,\""
] |
question: Who had minor injuries?, answer: Tiger Woods | question: that day was the car accident that took Woods, answer: early Friday | question: What will go on without Woods?, answer: Chevron World Challenge | question: What did Wood have?, answer: injuries | question: Who will continue investigating after Woods delays?, answer: Montes | question: What will the police do?, answer: we'll move on with our investigation,"
|
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Two men circle warily in the center of a colorful gym mat. Each holds a three-foot long wicker stick in one hand and a blunted aluminum knife in the other.
A sudden rush and surge of adrenalin. Both are engaged in a swirl of weapons. The air rings to the sound of sticks striking each other and the duller whomp of sticks striking legs, arms and torsos.
The battle is engaged at full speed and full power. Punches aren't pulled. When the grueling two-minute bout is over, both combatants display an angry array of bumps, bruises and welts. The fighters embrace and depart the battlefield. Neither has been declared the winner or the loser. The idea of winning or losing is not what the Dog Brothers are about.
"We don't keep score," says Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny, one of the Dog Brothers' founders. "No judges, no referees, no trophies. That would be contrary to the way we do things."
In 1988, Denny and 10 other martial arts enthusiasts formed the loose tribe they called the Dog Brothers. They were all drawn to an obscure form of the combat arts that originated during times of tribal warfare in the Philippines. This form of combat is primarily hand to hand using weapons that were available in the forests and jungles of the Philippines. It is a fighting discipline known in different parts of the world as Arnis, Escrima or Kali.
"In the past it had been a very, very secretive art," Denny said, "a weaponry art that originated in tribal warfare in the jungles."
Dog Brothers gatherings feature bouts of stick fighting, knife fighting, fighting staffs, even the occasional use of chains and other weapons. Punching, kicking and wrestling also come into play. Combatants wear a fencing mask to protect the eyes and gloves to protect hands, but there is no other padding. Their motto is, "Higher consciousness through harder contact."
"There was definitely a part of me that said, these guys are way out there," Roan Kalani "Poi Dog" Grimm said with a laugh.
At the same time, Grimm found the Dog Brothers' form of extreme martial arts exciting.
"They were applying it in real time and real speed and real power, " Grimm said. "A part of myself said, I really want to do this. I want to test myself at this level."
There are perhaps 200 full-fledged members of the Dog Brothers pack. Members receive a "Dog" nickname after they are voted into the pack. The nickname is meant to describe each member's fighting style or personality. However, to become a full member, other members must reach a consensus that the individual has developed his skills and represents his true potential as a martial artist. There are many who have more than a passing interest in the extreme form of martial arts the group represents.
That is what attracted Tobias Gibson to a recent Dog Brothers gathering in Los Angeles. Gibson is a 39-year-old political science professor from Missouri's Westminster College. He is a studious looking guy with a scraggly goatee and more than a few extra pounds. Although he had trained for eight years in martial arts, Gibson had never engaged in this kind of all-out combat.
"It's really scary," Gibson confessed before his bout, "I was trying to untie my shoes and I couldn't. My hands were shaking."
Gibson's bout lasted two minutes. He had been paired with a much more experienced fighter who took care to look after the newcomer's safety. Even so, the professor emerged with a series of welts on his arm and back, a bleeding knot on his forehead and at least one broken finger. The injuries did not dampen his spirits.
"Once you get into the ring it's all good, " Gibson said. "I'm in the moment. I was in the moment."
To Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny, the idea
|
[
"Where did the combat style originate?",
"Where are the Dog Brothers from?",
"How many members are in the Dog Brothers pack?",
"Who are the Dog Brothers?",
"This form of combat arts originated where?",
"What do Dog Brothers fights feature?"
] |
[
"in the Philippines.",
"Philippines.",
"200",
"Denny and 10 other martial arts enthusiasts",
"Philippines.",
"bouts of stick fighting, knife fighting, fighting staffs, even the occasional use of chains and other weapons."
] |
question: Where did the combat style originate?, answer: in the Philippines. | question: Where are the Dog Brothers from?, answer: Philippines. | question: How many members are in the Dog Brothers pack?, answer: 200 | question: Who are the Dog Brothers?, answer: Denny and 10 other martial arts enthusiasts | question: This form of combat arts originated where?, answer: Philippines. | question: What do Dog Brothers fights feature?, answer: bouts of stick fighting, knife fighting, fighting staffs, even the occasional use of chains and other weapons.
|
MACAU, China -- Pete Sampras rolled back the years to upset current world number one Roger Federer in an exhibition match in Macau on Saturday.
Sampras enjoyed the spoils of victory in Macau after two previous defeats to Federer.
Federer had one the two previous clashes in an Asian series in straight sets but was handed a 7-6 6-4 defeat in the finale.
American ace Sampras downplayed his victory, noting Federer was coming off a long season and that he was helped by his big serve and the fast indoor carpet surface.
He had only aimed to win one set during the three-match series.
"Let's not get carried away," he said at a news conference.
Sampras ruled out a comeback from retirement, telling the audience after the match, "I had my time in the 90s."
Federer tried to put on a positive spin on the loss, saying he wasn't embarrassed to lose to his idol, but still showed some disappointment.
"It's been tough beating my idol the last two times. I'm happy that he got me at least once," he said, but adding, "I hope we can do it again in the future. I'd like to get him back."
The two players have won a combined 26 Grand Slam titles, but Sampras, 36, retired five years ago after winning the U.S. Open in 2002.
Federer is coming off another outstanding season in which he won three grand slams and last week's Masters Cup in Shanghai.
"I'm sort of surprised. This guy can play tennis, you know," the Swiss player said after his loss Saturday.
Federer beat Sampras 6-4 6-3 in Seoul on Tuesday and edged the American 7-6 7-6 in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
In Macau, Federer was never able able to force a break point on the powerful Sampras serve, but had set points at 6-5 and 8-7 in the tiebreak.
But Sampras saved both and a run of three points, capped by a forehand winner, gave him the opener.
The ninth game of the second second proved vital as a forehand error by Federer gave Sampras a break point which he gratefully took with another fine forehand.
Sampras closed out the match as a Federer backhand return sailed long.
Federer said he thought Sampras could still beat the world's top five players on a fast surface.
Sampras then predicted that Federer could beat his record of most grand slam wins (14) "if not next year, pretty soon."
"He's a great, great player. He's got things in his game that I couldn't do," he said. E-mail to a friend
|
[
"Who won their previous matches?",
"Where was the match played?",
"Who did Pete Sampras beat?",
"Where was the exhibition?",
"Who ruled out a comeback?",
"What did Federer win?",
"Who rules out comeback?",
"Who rules out comeback to ATP tour?"
] |
[
"Pete Sampras",
"Macau",
"Roger Federer",
"Macau",
"Sampras",
"three grand slams and last week's Masters Cup",
"Sampras",
"Sampras"
] |
question: Who won their previous matches?, answer: Pete Sampras | question: Where was the match played?, answer: Macau | question: Who did Pete Sampras beat?, answer: Roger Federer | question: Where was the exhibition?, answer: Macau | question: Who ruled out a comeback?, answer: Sampras | question: What did Federer win?, answer: three grand slams and last week's Masters Cup | question: Who rules out comeback?, answer: Sampras | question: Who rules out comeback to ATP tour?, answer: Sampras
|
MADISON COUNTY, Virginia (CNN) -- Amidst the tranquility of a fishing trip at the Rose River Farm in Madison County, a wounded warrior says he almost feels "semi-normal again."
Retired Navy Capt. Ed Nicholson's Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing helps rehabilitate wounded servicemembers.
The amputee is one of about 1,000 servicemen and veterans who have reaped the benefits of the therapeutic art of fly-fishing, with the help of retired Navy Capt. Ed Nicholson.
"The demons of war, you just don't set them aside," says Nicholson, 67. "But once you get out on the river, the serenity is incredibly healing."
While recovering from cancer surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2004, Nicholson witnessed wounded and disabled men and women -- many of them amputees -- struggling with their injuries.
"Other than being in Vietnam and seeing people in the process of getting hurt, I never really had a full appreciation for the recovery part and what happened after they came home. My recovery was nothing compared to what they were facing. It planted the seed that maybe there's something I could do," Nicholson says.
The solution was obvious to Nicholson, who says being an outdoorsman is in his blood: Get them out of the hospital and into nature.
Through free classes and outings, Nicholson's organization, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, helps rehabilitate injured and disabled servicemembers and veterans.
"We would run these classes that would better prepare them to be fishermen when the weather got nice and we could move outside, start casting lessons and go fishing," he says.
Nicholson and ty flying instructor John Colburn saw that the discipline of tying flies, which requires patience and training, benefited veterans recovering from injuries. And it helped them relax.
"You have a guy who lost a leg and we get him out there wading in a stream -- he gets a boost. Or a guy who lost an arm, we start him casting. He has a chance to use his new arm and actually do something that's enjoyable," says Nicholson. Do you know someone who should be a CNN Hero? Nominations are open at CNN.com/Heroes
"Ed [is] showing us that if you have the will, they will find a way," says Army Staff Sgt. Brian Mancini, who lost his right eye after being hit by an explosive device in Iraq in July 2007. "It shows you that life's not over, it's only beginning." Watch Mancini describe how Nicholson's program helped his healing process »
One soldier with a brain injury says tying flies, building fly rods and casting have helped him with his motor skills. Others on the catch-and-release outing describe feeling normal for the first time in a long time. Watch wounded servicemen discuss the role of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing in their recovery »
"Between the pain, the medication, the realization that their life has been changed, they're doing something that gives them a great deal of pleasure and that they can look forward to," Nicholson says. Watch Nicholson as he helps wounded soldiers through fly-fishing »
First Lt. Ferris Butler, an active participant in Project Healing Waters, agrees.
"If you compound losing body parts with losing friends, just getting in the water is a release," he says, adding that fishing gave him enhanced dexterity because it helped him learn to walk on prosthetics in the water.
Since 2005, Nicholson's program has grown to more than 50 locations nationwide with "more to come," he says. With support from The Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited, the group is establishing long-term relationships with hospital and military staff, participants and volunteers. Participants across the country can attend outings during the spring, summer and fall.
An indoor component focuses on classroom activities.
Nicholson, who rises early and spends the better part of his day running operations for his organization, once thought he'd spend his golden years enjoying his favorite pastimes: fishing
|
[
"Has Nicholson's program since 2005?",
"Since when his project has grown?",
"Is there way to nominate a hero?",
"What is the name of Ed Nicholson project?",
"What did Retired Navy Captain Ed Nicholson do?",
"Where does Healing Waters operate?",
"How many servicemembers use Healing Waters Fly Fishing?"
] |
[
"grown to more than 50 locations nationwide",
"2005,",
"Nominations are open at CNN.com/Heroes",
"Healing Waters Fly Fishing",
"he helps wounded soldiers through fly-fishing",
"Nicholson's program has grown to more than 50 locations nationwide",
"1,000"
] |
question: Has Nicholson's program since 2005?, answer: grown to more than 50 locations nationwide | question: Since when his project has grown?, answer: 2005, | question: Is there way to nominate a hero?, answer: Nominations are open at CNN.com/Heroes | question: What is the name of Ed Nicholson project?, answer: Healing Waters Fly Fishing | question: What did Retired Navy Captain Ed Nicholson do?, answer: he helps wounded soldiers through fly-fishing | question: Where does Healing Waters operate?, answer: Nicholson's program has grown to more than 50 locations nationwide | question: How many servicemembers use Healing Waters Fly Fishing?, answer: 1,000
|
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A Spaniard has died from the human form of mad cow disease, the fifth such death in Spain since 2005, the Ministry of Health said in a statement late Friday.
The victim died in January in the northern city of Santander, according to the statement, which did not provide further details.
The victim was a woman who was hospitalized last fall, according to Juan Jose Badiola, director of Spain's national research center for mad cow disease.
The ministry reiterated that there is no danger from eating meat in Spain.
"The appearance of these sporadic cases is within the predictions that were made at the European level more than nine years ago," the ministry statement said.
Ten years can pass between eating contaminated tissue and the appearance of the human form of the disease also called variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, health officials say.
The steps to avoid the disease, taken after the first cases of mad cow disease appeared in the United Kingdom, include isolating infected animals and prohibiting cattle feed of animal origin or with animal proteins, the ministry said.
Three of Spain's five deaths from the disease were in the northern province of Leon. The city of Santander is in the nearby Cantabria province.
Last September, officials reported the death of a woman from the human form of mad cow disease. Officials also said her son had died earlier from the same disease.
It was believed to have been the first case in the world where two members of the same family have died from the disease, Badiola told CNN at the time.
The mother, in her early 60s, died in August 2008. Her son, 41, died in February 2008, Badiola said.
Badiola said it was the mother and son likely contracted the disease before stricter controls against mad cow disease began in Spain in 2001.
The mother and son had similar eating habits, Badiola said, which included eating animal organs, such as kidneys and livers, and they may also have eaten animal brains.
The mother and son were from a village in Leon province. The third fatality in that province was a woman, 50, a local government worker, who died in December 2007.
The first confirmed death from mad cow disease in Spain was in 2005, when a young woman died near Madrid.
|
[
"How many cases have their been since 2005",
"What did Spain's ministry of health report?",
"What is the disease mentioned?",
"The Ministry of Health reported what?",
"What does ministry say?",
"When was disease first reported?",
"How many have died since 2005?"
] |
[
"fifth",
"Spaniard has died from the human form of mad cow disease, the fifth such death",
"mad cow",
"A Spaniard has died from the human form of mad cow disease,",
"no danger from eating meat in Spain.",
"2001.",
"fifth"
] |
question: How many cases have their been since 2005, answer: fifth | question: What did Spain's ministry of health report?, answer: Spaniard has died from the human form of mad cow disease, the fifth such death | question: What is the disease mentioned?, answer: mad cow | question: The Ministry of Health reported what?, answer: A Spaniard has died from the human form of mad cow disease, | question: What does ministry say?, answer: no danger from eating meat in Spain. | question: When was disease first reported?, answer: 2001. | question: How many have died since 2005?, answer: fifth
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.