ANALYSIS
HP yanks tune by pedophile Gary Glitter
Advertising Age Oct 31, 08 3:49 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
HP's decision to change an ad because it featured a song by convicted child molester Gary Glitter has Charlie Moran in Advertising Age wondering about how far we should go in drawing the line between the artist and his art. The ad for the TouchSmart PC drew complaints because it used Joan Jett’s 1982 cover of “Do You Want to Touch Me,” which was written by Glitter.
More »
Chicago Tribune Oct 22, 08 1:49 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
A 25-year-old Chicago stockbroker was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in prison for soliciting sex from minors on Facebook, the Tribune reports. Facebook said this appears to be the first case of a sexual predator using the social networking site. Michael Macalindong posed as a girl to lure a teenage boy, and then blackmailed the teen with video of their encounters.
More »
Young people seek instant fame through sending sexual images of themselves
ABC News Oct 15, 08 1:38 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Young people like the Ohio teen facing child porn charges for sending nude photos of herself to classmates are often clueless as to the consequences of their actions, experts tell ABC News. Heavily influenced by a culture in which porn is readily available and increasingly acceptable, some teens seek a quick 15 minutes of fame—no matter what the long-term damage.
More »
She allegedly sent nude photos of herself
Newark Advocate (Oh.) Oct 8, 08 7:15 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
A 15-year-old Ohio girl who allegedly sent nude photos of herself to classmates as a joke faces felony child-porn charges—and may have to register as a sex offender, the Newark Advocate reports. The girl, who was arrested Friday and spent the weekend in jail, has pleaded not guilty. The incident took place after the county prosecutor visited high schools to warn students of the consequences of just such an act, WBNS-TV notes.
More »
Shawn Hornbeck speaks publicly for first time about 4-year ordeal
People Sep 25, 08 8:19 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
A young kidnap victim sexually abused for 4 years said he feared every day for his life—and often thought death would have been easier, reports People . Shawn Hornbeck, now 17, speaks publicly for the first time about his ordeal in a CBS interview. What he endured would make "psychiatrists insane," he said. He was snatched off a Missouri street in 2002 by a kidnapper who is now serving 74 life sentences.
More »
R&B star gives first interview since child porn acquittal
Associated Press Sep 18, 08 11:58 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
In his first interview since beating child pornography charges in June, R&B star R. Kelly said, “I don't like anyone illegal.” But when asked if he liked teenage girls, the AP reports Kelly, 40, told BET: “When you say teenage … how old are we talkin' … 19? I have some 19-year-old friends.”
More »
Neil Cohen allegedly stored images on office computer
Star-Ledger Jul 25, 08 12:55 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
New Jersey Assemblyman Neil Cohen faces allegations of storing child pornography on his office computer, the Star-Ledger reports. Two of his fellow Democratic lawmakers turned him into authorites after being alerted by a staffer. Cohen, 57, has served 17 years in the Assembly, currently as deputy speaker, and has sponsored bills against child porn and pedophilia. He made no public comment and is said to be under psychiatric care.
More »
Faces obstruction
of justice charges in Vermont teen's death
Associated Press Jul 17, 08 8:15 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
The former stepfather of murdered Vermont teenager Brooke Bennett has been indicted for child pornography, and may face obstruction of justice charges for the girl’s death, the AP reports. Raymond Gagnon was charged yesterday with both transporting child porn and having it on his computer.
More »
12-year-old's uncle accused of forcing
her, and another girl,
into sex ring
CNN Jul 3, 08 7:21 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Vermont authorities found the body of a missing 12-year-old girl in a fresh grave yesterday, CNN reports. Brooke Bennett’s death “appears to be foul play,” said police, who arrested her uncle and stepfather on separate sexual assault charges. Bennett’s uncle, Michael Jacques, initiated her into a sex ring the day she disappeared, another girl told police. The other girl, now 14, said in an affidavit that she had been having sex with Jacques since she was 9.
More »
Kelly staff told Allen she should die for testifying
Associated Press Jun 18, 08 11:36 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
The star witness in R. Kelly's child pornography trial said she was threatened for coming forward, AP reports. According to documents unsealed yesterday—a week after Kelly was acquitted—Lisa Van Allen claimed an employee told her she should have been killed for damaging the R&B star. Allen had testified that she had sex with Kelly and an underage female on tape.
More »
Lack of testimony from alleged victim sowed doubt in jurors' minds
Time Jun 14, 08 7:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Jurors in the R. Kelly trial say it was the lack of testimony from the alleged victim—or her parents—that swayed them towards acquittal, Time reports. One juror said he was sure it was Kelly in the sex tape at the heart of the case, but wasn't convinced of the girl's identity. And jurors said the R. Kelly mole that was the object of endless hours of testimony was a non-issue: "The mole played more of a role for the press. It never came up in deliberations." Five of the jurors had been ready to convict at one point.
More »
UPDATED
R&B star acquitted of child porn charges
Chicago Tribune Jun 13, 08 4:06 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Just over 6 years after he was originally indicted, singer R. Kelly was found not guilty today on all 14 child porn counts against him. The jury of three women and nine men deliberated for less than a day before acquitting the singer/songwriter after a 4-week trial, the Chicago Tribune reports. "This prosecution is one we have no reservations about," said the state's attorney.
More »
Jurors get another look at the video during closing arguments
New York Post Jun 12, 08 9:06 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Both sides in the R. Kelly child porn case have presented their closing arguments, and the jury will resume deliberating the fate of the R&B singer tomorrow morning, the New York Post reports. Jurors today watched parts of the infamous tape that prosecutors say shows Kelly having sex with an underage girl. Kelly and the alleged victim both have denied being on the tape. He faces up to 15 years if convicted.
More »
New York's AG Cuomo strong-arms Time Warner, Verizon, Sprint
New York Times Jun 10, 08 9:33 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Three top Internet providers have agreed to block known child pornography hot spots, thanks to some strong-arm tactics from New York AG Andrew Cuomo, the New York Times reports. After an 8-month investigation, Cuomo threatened to come down on Time Warner, Verizon, and Sprint for fraud and deceptive business practices. The Internet giants acquiesced.
More »
Witnesses battle over mark seen in video
Chicago Tribune Jun 6, 08 12:56 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
The R. Kelly jury was treated to a short course in video doctoring yesterday, as the rapper's defense team worked to discredit the tape prosecutors say shows him having sex with a very underage girl. The issue is the now-infamous R. Kelly mole the defense says isn't there in the man on the video. The defense broke down footage the prosecutors say shows the mole, and found that it appears on exactly 2 frames of video, and then disappears.
More »