Top Story: Prosecutor Suggests Michael Jackson May Flee U.S.
The prosecutor in Michael Jackson‘s child molestation case opposes reducing the pop star’s $3 million bail out of concern he might flee the country, The Associated Press reports. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon’s office said Jackson‘s wealth requires at least the current bail, arguing the singer might choose to live out his life as “a wealthy absconder” rather than face a life term in a California prison. According to the motion filed by Deputy District Attorney Gerald McC. Franklin, there is concern Jackson might flee to a country that doesn’t have an extradition agreement with the United States. “Mr. Jackson is known and adored–‘adored’ is not too strong a word–in many of the countries of Europe, the Near East and Africa,” the motion said. “The defendant here is ‘Michael Jackson, international celebrity,’ a man whose lifestyle to date would not have prepared him to adapt readily to a prison environment and routine, and whose physical stature will present its own problems for him in making the necessary adjustments.” In addition to child molestation, a grand jury indicted Jackson with a conspiracy count that alleged child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
Posh Stands By Her Man
Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham says in Marie Claire‘s July issue that she has faith in her husband, English soccer star David Beckham. “I know my David’s never cheated on me,” she said in the interview in response to allegations Beckham had affairs with his former personal assistant and a model. The Beckhams recently announced that Victoria–still known as Posh Spice to many fans of the 1990s girl band–and their two children would move to Spain to be with David, who left Manchester United to play for Real Madrid last year. She also denied rumors she stayed with David to make money from the ‘Beckham brand.’ “I couldn’t live a lie and it would be unfair on our children,” she said. “We are working on things together, but it is absolutely not a business arrangement.”
Sean Combs Didn’t Expect Tony Nod for Raisin
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, who is currently starring in the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, told Reuters in a recent telephone interview he isn’t bothered being the only star in the production not to get a Tony Award nomination. “I didn’t expect to get nominated. That was not my motivation. I’m very realistic as a person about life and how you have to pay your dues and about the level I’m at as an actor. I have my time for awards,” Combs said, adding: “There’s nothing that can compare to people laughing about you for something and then every night, standing room only.” Initial ticket sales for A Raisin in the Sun broke the 1,078-seat Royale Theatre record and routinely sells out.
Combs Goes From B’way To Politics
In other “P. Diddy” news, Combs told the New York Post Sunday he hopes to question President Bush and likely Democratic nominee John Kerry on his new MTV show, tentatively titled Project Change. The 34-year-old hip-hop impresario told the paper he plans to scout the streets of Harlem, Brooklyn and Detroit for “real people” to ask the questions. “The people who usually ask the candidates questions are screened, and I’m going to use real people off the streets to get their questions out there,” Combs told The Post. “I’m going to make Kerry and Bush squirm.” His goal is to encourage a record number of young people and minorities to vote.
Helen Hunt Has Baby Girl
Mad About You star Helen Hunt gave birth to a daughter on May 13 in Beverly Hills, Calif., Reuters reports. The baby, named MaKena lei Gordon Carnahan, is the first child for Hunt and director Matthew Carnahan. The couple began dating in 2001. The 40-year-old actress and her baby are “doing very well,” her publicist said Friday.
Kirk, Anne Douglas Renew Wedding Vows
Anne and Kirk Douglas renewed their wedding vows for the second time in 50 years Sunday before 300 guests in a traditional Jewish ceremony at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., the AP reports. Guests included former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Merv Griffin, Dan Aykroyd, Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis, Vidal Sassoon and Anjelica Huston. Family members included the Douglas’ son Peter and Kirk Douglas’ son, producer Joel Douglas, from his first marriage. Actors Eric and Michael Douglas were unable to attend. A publicist for Kirk Douglas said Michael Douglas was with his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is currently filming in Europe.
24 Whittles Cast for Upcoming Season
The Counter Terrorism Unit on Fox’s drama 24 is getting its pink slip. Sources tell Reuters the actors who play Jack Bauer’s (Kiefer Sutherland) CTU colleagues have been informed that their options as series regulars will not be picked up for the upcoming fall season. That includes Reiko Aylesworth and James Badge Dale, who play CTU members Michelle Dessler and Chase Edmunds. The two could return could return next season for guest appearances, along with Carlos Bernard, Zachary Quinto and Daniel Dae Kim, who played CTU members on a recurring basis. Elisha Cuthbert, who plays Jack’s daughter and CTU analyst Kimberly Bauer, is expected to return next season.
Death Row Must Pay for Man’s Injuries
Death Row Records was ordered to pay more than $162,000 to a man who said label owner Marion “Suge” Knight and his bodyguards attacked him at a recording studio in 2001, the AP reports. A Superior Court jury ruled that although Knight, who was not in the studio during the altercation, was not personally liable for the fight, Death Row Records was responsible for the actions of his security guards. Dwayne H. Baudy said he went to Con Am Studios in November of 2001 to meet an independent rap producer when he and a friend got into a confrontation with Death Row’s security chief, Reginald Wright Jr. Wright said Baudy and his friend brandished guns after they were barred
