Hudson on witness list for upcoming murder trial

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is on the witness list for the upcoming Chicago trial of the man accused of killing her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew in 2008, according to court documents.

But prosecutors haven’t yet disclosed whether Hudson will actually testify at the April 9 trial of William Balfour, who was the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister, Julia.

Hudson told investigators that she talked to her mother in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood every day and knew something was wrong when she hadn’t heard from her by late in the morning of Oct. 24, 2008, according to the Chicago Tribune ( http://trib.in/A0uDM9 ).

Several hours later, Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother, Jason Hudson, 29, were found shot to death in the family’s home. The body of her nephew Julian King, who was Julia Hudson’s child from a previous relationship, was found days later in a vehicle several miles away. Police recovered a gun from bushes near the vehicle and have linked it to the shootings.

Hudson told investigators she’d known Balfour since childhood and had advised her sister against marrying him. She said the family didn’t find out about their 2006 marriage until months after it happened. Prosecutors have argued that Balfour killed the family because he was angry that Julia Hudson was dating another man.

Jennifer Hudson, 30, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007 for her role in “Dreamgirls,” was in Chicago with her family about five days before the killings. She said she’d last been at the family home about two months earlier.

Charlie Sheen’s new sitcom to debut June 28 on FX

Charlie Sheen will be stirring up a new round of laughs when “Anger Management” arrives June 28.

FX on Tuesday set the premiere date for Sheen’s new sitcom, which returns him to weekly TV after his noisy exit last season from the CBS hit “Two and a Half Men.” Announced last summer, “Anger Management” is loosely based on the 2003 movie about a non-traditional therapist.

Fox says two episodes will air June 28. It has ordered 10 episodes for the first season.

Scheduled the same night are the second-season premiere of the comedy “Wilfred,” starring Elijah Wood and Jason Gann, and the third-season premiere of “Louie,” starring Louis C.K.

Rounding out the night is the premiere of “Strangely Uplifting,” a new comedy starring Russell Brand.

 

 

Dion cancels more Vegas shows on doctor’s orders

Singer Celine Dion has canceled more shows at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace, citing a virus causing an inflammation of her vocal cords.

Christi Nelson, an official with show producer AEG Live, said Tuesday that the French-Canadian pop superstar has been ordered to rest her voice for six to eight weeks and will resume performances June 9.

“I tried to sing at my sound check last week, and I had no control of my voice whatsoever,” Dion said in a statement. “We thought that after a few days’ rest I would improve, but it wasn’t getting any better.”

Officials announced last weekend that Dion was canceling shows through March 3. On Monday, she was diagnosed with a viral illness and weakness in her right vocal cord by Dr. Gerald Burke, an authority in laryngeal physiology at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The singer of romantic odes including “My Heart Will Go On” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” returned to Caesars Palace a year ago for a three-year engagement.

The Las Vegas Strip casino spent $95 million building the Colosseum for Dion in 2003, complete with a humidifier to protect her voice. After a five-year run at the casino, she embarked on a world tour and took time off for her family, giving birth to twin boys in 2010.

Tickets to the new show in Las Vegas sell for up to $250 apiece.

Dion said the doctor assured her she’ll be “back to 100 percent” after resting her voice, but she said she’s disappointed by the cancellations.

“Obviously this is the worst thing for a singer … not being able to do your shows,” she said. “I feel worse knowing that I’m disappointing my fans. I’m so sorry … I hope they forgive me.”

 

Kim Kardashian – February 23, 2012

QVC Presents “The Buzz On The Red Carpet” Cocktail Party – February 23, 2012

George Huguely V: Guilty of Second-Degree Murder in Yeardley Love Slaying

George Huguely V, a former University of Virginia lacrosse player, has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend Yeardley Love.

A Maryland jury convicted him late Wednesday.

The UVA lacrosse murder case began in May 2010 and gained national attention, after Love, a popular, all-American athlete, was found dead at the school.

There were no obvious physical wounds. Huguely, 24, admitted to having an altercation with his ex, but his lawyer denied her death was intentional.

Huguely pleaded not guilty to six charges, including first-degree murder and felony murder in commission of a robbery, professing his innocence … mostly.

His defense attorney Francis Lawrence said during closing arguments:

“Yes, George contributed to her death. But no, he didn’t kill her … he left there with her alive, and that is not in dispute. There was no intentional killing.”

“She wasn’t dead when he left.”

After deliberating for nine hours, the jury decided Huguely was guilty of second degree murder, which can hold a sentence of anywhere from 5-40 years in jail.

Huguely was found not guilty on the most serious charge of first-degree murder, but he was also convicted of grand larceny stemming from the same event.

Chris Brown Accused of Cell Phone Theft; Warrant Issued For Singer’s Arrest

A warrant for Chris Brown’s arrest is being prepared by the Florida State’s Attorney’s office Thursday after he allegedly stole a woman’s phone. Seriously.

The supposed victim recently filed a police report against him, according to Deborah Doty, the public information officer for the Miami Police Department.

“An incident report was filed against Mr. Brown, and the Florida State Attorney’s Office will be issuing a warrant for his arrest this afternoon,” she said.

“I can’t tell you what time, but it will be today.”

Chris Brown, whose remixes and relationship with Rihanna are making all kinds of news, is accused of snatching Chrital Spann’s cell phone outside a club.

As he sat in a Bentley after exiting a nightclub, the police report states that Spann snapped a picture of Chris Brown chilling in the back of the car.

That is when Brown allegedly snatched the phone, which he did not give back (obviously) and told Spann, “B!tch, you ain’t giving this to no website.”

Eloquent, Chris Brown. Eloquent. The star, who is currently on probation, has not commented, nor has his attorney, Mark Geragos. Stay tuned.

Gabe Watson, Alleged Honeymoon Killer: Acquitted of Murder!

Gabe Watson, the accused and so-called Honeymoon Killer, who spent 18 months in an Australian jail for manslaughter, was acquitted today in an American court.

Watson has been cleared in the 2003 death of wife Tina, who died on their honeymoon, suspiciously, and not even two weeks after the couple got married.

Prosecutors in Birmingham, Ala., alleged that Watson, 34, shut off his 26-year-old wife’s oxygen supply while scuba diving in Australia to collect insurance money.

But, when the prosecution rested after two weeks, the judge granted a defense’s motion for an acquittal on the grounds the prosecution failed to prove its case.

“The evidence is sorely lacking that it was an intentional act,” Judge Tommy Nail told the courtroom, according to The Birmingham News.

“The only way to convict him of intentional murder is to speculate. Nobody knows exactly what happened in the water. I’m sure we’ll never know.”

Watson’s mother collapsed in tears outside court.

John Edwards Sex Tape to Be Destroyed as Rielle Hunter, Andrew Young Settle Lawsuit

The sex tape featuring John Edwards and Rielle Hunter going at it will be destroyed as part of a settlement between Hunter and ex-Edwards aide Andrew Young.

The imminent destruction of sex tapes featuring Edwards and Hunter was mandated as per the agreement between Rielle, Edwards’ ex-plaything, and Young.

Orange County, N.C., Superior Court Judge Carl Fox on Thursday signed the settlement agreement between Andrew Young, his wife and Rielle Hunter.

Hunter sued the pair, who ended up with the John Edwards sex tape somehow.

Hunter accused Andrew and Cheri Young of invasion of privacy, and sought to reclaim “materials” she said belong to her, including personal photos and the sex tape.

While the settlement addresses the transfer and destruction of videos, photos and other documents, no money was awarded and the Youngs admit no liability.

The court clerk has the honor of physically destroying the sex tape.

Meanwhile, the Youngs must make a good-faith effort to ensure that the copy of the video that they gave to the U.S. government is likewise destroyed.

The former aide will get back his family videos and pics, though they can’t monetize any including Rielle Hunter or her daughter, Edwards’ love child.

‘Idol’ unveils Top 24 with a twist

It’s good news for 25 – not just 24 – singers on “American Idol.”

After the “Hollywood Week” and Las Vegas performance rounds, “Idol” judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler narrowed the field from 42 contestants to 24 semifinalists on Wednesday’s installment of the Fox singing competition, but they apparently cut too many.

At the end of the episode, “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest revealed in a voiceover that “the judges felt compelled to reinstate another guy.” He teased that either Jermaine Jones, Johnny Keyser, Richie Law or David Leathers would be among the male semifinalists next week.

“You did a great job, and you got so far,” Lopez told a weeping Jones after he was dismissed on a stage surrounded by bubbling water at the Wynn Las Vegas resort.

The semifinalists unveiled Wednesday were: Deandre Brackensick, 17, San Jose, Calif.; Adam Brock, 27, Washington, Pa.; Hollie Cavanaugh, 18, McKinney, Texas; Hallie Day, 24, Baltimore; Eben Franckewitz, 15, Loveland, Ohio; Skylar Laine, 18, Brandon, Miss.; Chase Likens, 21, Point Pleasant, W.W.; Shannon Magrane, 16, Tampa, Fla.; Aaron Marcellus, 27, Atlanta; and Jeremy Rosado, 19, Valrico, Fla.

The semifinalists announced Tuesday were: Baylie Brown, 22, Krum, Texas; Colton Dixon, 20, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Reed Grimm, 26, Ellsworth, Wis.; Jen Hirsh, 25, Agoura Hills, Calif.; Haley Johnsen, 23, Beaverton, Ore.; Joshua Ledet, 19, Los Angeles; Phillip Phillips, 21, from Leesburg, Ga.; Jessica Sanchez, 16, San Diego; Chelsea Sorrell, 23, Stokesdale, N.C.; Elise Testone, 28, Charleston, S.C.; Erika Van Pelt, 26, South Kingstown, R.I.; and Creighton Fraker, 28, Heejun Han, 22, and Brielle Von Hugel, 17, New York.

The top 13 men will perform live next Tuesday, with the top 12 women taking the stage live Wednesday. Viewer votes will determine which singers will be eliminated Thursday.

 

 

Kim Kardashian To Be Sued for QuickTrim Endorsement?

Kim and Khloe Kardashian might need to pay up for selling out.

The sisters could soon be the subjects of a class action lawsuit due to their endorsement of QuickTrim, the non-FDA-approved weight loss supplement Kim and Khloe have been hawking since 2009.

Law firm Bursor & Fisher tells The New York Post it is preparing to file on behalf of a client because QuickTrim reportedly contains a high level of caffeine, an ingredient which is not an effective means for shedding unwanted pounds.

“My firm has been retained by an individual that purchased QuickTrim, and we are investigating the matter,” a partner with the company tells the newspaper. “We have provided written notice of our client’s claims to the company and others involved in marketing QuickTrim.”

The firm has sent an email to QuickTrim users asking if they want to join the suit and saying: “The active ingredient in QuickTrim weight loss products is a large dose of caffeine… The FDA has determined that caffeine is not safe or effective for weight loss.”

As much as we’d love to see Kim suffer for attaching her name to any product that comes calling, let’s be honest:

If you actually purchased a cleanse based on Kim Kardashian saying she uses it, you deserve to stay up all night, wondering where you went wrong in life.