By: Steve Helling | The Messenger Mention of Susan Smith conjures up memories of one of the most notorious crimes in a generation. A 22-year-old mother who let her car roll into a South Carolina lake with her toddler and infant sons strapped into their car seats. The 1994 case gained even more notoriety when Smith falsely told police that a black man had kidnapped her sons during a carjacking, pleading on national TV for their safe return. This sketch still pisses me off … https://t.co/xMs0kucOCM pic.twitter.com/BibE4nl1Xe— The Kumite.. it’s really, real (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) May 23, 2023 Now, nearly 30 years…
Author: SBE Staff
LOS ANGELES – A woman was shot and killed in the Vermont Knolls neighborhood of South Los Angeles and a suspect was taken into custody, police said Wednesday. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded at around 11:50 p.m. Tuesday to the 8700 block of Vermont Avenue regarding an assault with a deadly weapon call, and found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds, an LAPD spokesman told City News Service. The woman, in her 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Her name was withheld pending notification of her relatives. A man described by police as a neighbor was…
LOS ANGELES – Attorneys for an activist who co-founded Black Lives Matter LA and sued the city over the LAPD’s conduct in a false hostage report at the plaintiff’s home are seeking background records of some department members, including those who knew her phone numbers. The Aug. 12, 2020 call brought police officers to Melina Abdullah’s residence, and the Los Angeles Police Department later branded the episode “swatting,” meaning someone deliberately made a false 911 call so armed police would be summoned. Abdullah was at home with her children and there was no intruder or hostage taker, according to her…
LOS ANGELES – A lawsuit has been dropped against rapper Ye and his three companies that alleged $7.1 million was owed to a production firm that worked on his behalf on various projects, including his Coachella appearances scheduled in 2022 that the singer formerly known as Kanye West later canceled. Attorneys for the plaintiff, Phantom Labs Inc., filed court papers on Monday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Christopher Lui asking that the case be dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled. The court papers do not state if a settlement was reached or if Phantom Labs is not…
LOS ANGELES – No tickets were sold matching all six numbers in Tuesday evening’s drawing of the multi-state Mega Millions lottery, and the estimated jackpot for Friday’s drawing grew to $169 million. The numbers drawn were 3, 10, 22, 65, 66 and the Mega number was 19. Tuesday’s jackpot was $150 million. It was the 10th drawing since the last time a ticket with all six numbers was sold. There were also no tickets sold with five numbers, but missing the Mega number. Such a ticket would have been worth $886,290 in California. The odds of matching all five numbers…
VALLEY GLEN – A 48-year-old pedestrian struck and killed by a Metrolink train in the Valley Glen area was identified Tuesday by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office as Mario Gomez. Paramedics sent to the 12700 block of Raymer Street, between Whitsett and Coldwater Canyon avenues, at 1:19 p.m. Monday pronounced Gomez dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Gomez, who was in a “non-pedestrian area,” was hit by train No. 109, which was traveling westbound on the Ventura County Line, said Scott Johnson of Metrolink. No one was injured aboard the train, which contained 24…
Geffen Playhouse has announced the full cast for its world premiere production of The Ants, written by Ramiz Monsef (The Unfortunates, 3 Farids) and directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh (Vietgone, Queen). The Ants was created during the Geffen Playhouse’s The Writers’ Room program, in which Los Angeles playwrights develop new works with the support and guidance of the Geffen Playhouse artistic team. Major support for this world premiere production provided by the Edgerton Foundation New Play Production Fund. A breathtaking house on a hill—complete with the most state-of-the-art security that excessive wealth can buy—should feel like a refuge for Nami, whose recent firing and eviction have forced him…
The Disneyland Resort announced they will celebrate Black Music Month in June with live music and limited-time Celebrate Soulfully experiences. This celebration adds to the fun of year-round Celebrate Soulfully offerings, such as the “Tale of the Lion King” stage show at Disneyland Park. During Black Music Month in June, Guests can groove to nightly live band performances at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, featuring different genres throughout the week, including Jazz Fusion, Caribbean and Mid-Century Jazz. More than 17 different musical groups are lined up to perform, with four performance sets each night. Island Reggae Duo Rhythm Blues Brothas The festivities continue with live music…
Tiffany Haddish’s She Ready Foundation presented the 1st annual “Adult Prom Gala — A Night Under the Stars at the Beehive SoLa Impact Campus on May 19. In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, this charitable event catered to youth impacted by foster care, with proceeds going towards luggage, scholarships, paid summer internships, tutoring, advocacy, and other resources for foster youth. With over $200,000 raised, the gala provided a pop-up prom experience for invite-only guests. “I know so many adults in the business that never got to go to Prom, so I wanted to give them a chance to act…
LOS ANGELES – Assembly District 57 candidate Efren Martinez announced he has received the endorsement of Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio. As a community leader and educator, Rubio’s endorsement is a powerful statement of support for Martinez’s candidacy. “I am honored and grateful to receive the endorsement of Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio,” said Martinez. “She has been a passionate advocate for her district and a role model for women and Latina leaders across California.” Assemblywoman Rubio has been a champion for education, housing, and economic opportunity during her time in the State Assembly. A longtime advocate for underrepresented communities, she has worked tirelessly…