The details in the murder of Dekalb County, Georgia teen Vanessa “Honey” Malone appear sketchy at best. Police say the petite 18-year-old  walked in on an armed robbery at the Hampton Village Apartments on Tree Mountain Parkway in Stone Mountain around 10 p.m. last Tuesday. According to friends of the deceased woman,  they saw a group of between three and six black men come into the apartment with guns, and they were told to get on the ground.  Travares Benford and his girlfriend, India Smith told cops the gang of men broke into the apartment, took Travares’ wallet, and tied the pair up in the bathroom. The cops were told they could hear the men searching through the apartment when suddenly, several shots rang out. The pair told police that Malone had entered the apartment from the rear while the men were already inside. Malone apparently attempted to flee the apartment when the pair say they heard several gun shots. Smith told police she also heard Malone scream and the men bring her back inside the apartment. The pair say they allegedly remained tied up inside the bathroom for 15-20 minutes afraid after hearing the shots. The pair called for help and Malone was declared dead at the scene. The scenario became extremely sketchy when cops were told that another alleged victim of the robbery by the name of “Mercy”, had fled the scene prior to police arrival. I’ve investigated and reviewed hundreds of tragic murder cases just like this one from afar, and I can smell a rat when I see one. This is another sad story about one of our younger daughters falling to gun violence on the mean streets of America’s inner cities. Right out the gate, I must say that the story of these two surviving victims stinks badly. The story begins with the inability to even determine how many suspects were actually involved. They tell the cops that they were forced to lie on the ground and then subsequently tied up in the bathroom. The story is also void of any details related to what the men did to the alleged 4th victim. Was he tied up in the bathroom also? Where was he during their despair? They also tell cops that Malone entered the apartment from the rear after the men were already inside. How could they possibly have known this? I thought they were tied up in the bathroom. Their entire and complete bullshit story doesn’t add up at all. They try to offer the explanation that Malone simply walked in on the armed robbery in progress, and was a victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, a red light goes off for any logical thinking person when considering the facts on their face. Assuming that Malone was killed to insure she could not identify them, the question must be asked why wasn’t the other three people allegedly in the apartment at the time of the robbery killed also? I mean couldn’t they also identify the robbers? The pair never said the men wore mask, and they could readily identify them as being of African-American descent. Mean while, they offer no other rationalization or motivation as to why the men would want to harm Malone. Also, why did the “Mercy” person flee before cops arrived? What was the connection between “Mercy” and Malone? Had Malone come to the apartment to see “Mercy” or was the teen lured there by him and the others for the purpose of her eventual murder? These are questions that simply jump out at an objective observer. I am not buying their “she was in the wrong place at the wrong time” scenario. No one else was harmed in this alleged armed robbery tail. The Police’ initial investigation into this case hint at a possible drug connection. Another alarming and suspicious element in this case is that Malone’s family declined to indicate who she was at the apartment to visit. Just another twist in a strange story that resulted in the lost of another one of our precious daughters. The drug connection in the case is an all too familiar element of a violent crime. The images of this young woman are saddening. She is beautiful, cheery, and has the appearance of innocence. Unfortunately, our daughters are lured to low-lives who’s interest in criminal behavior far too frequently result in their demise. What strikes me the most is the ability of the men to slay this pretty teen as if she was nothing at all. It takes a certain kind of human to kill for the most part, but the lack of compassion for a female while she pleads for her life is simply chilling. The bastards who did this must be brought to justice, and the weak story offered by the survivors is unacceptable. They definitely know more than what they’ve told police. We don’t know everything about this case yet, but I’ll be covering the tragic ending of Vanessa “Honey” Malone. It’s the very least I can do when one of our daughters are murdered senselessly at the hands of violent and heartless killers.

Vanessa “Honey” Malone was murdered October 23, 2012 when friends say she walked in on an armed Robbery.

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I’m David Adams

The People’s Champion

It was a scene straight out of a Mortal Combat video game with sound affects included, when a Cleveland Transit Driver punched an irate female patron, and promptly threw her off the bus like a rag doll. The horrible ordeal was captured on another patron’s cellphone and has now gone viral on the Internet. The incident has garnered national attention with many from the public having replayed the clip over and over again while glorifying the brutality of a young woman at the hands of a male nearly three times her size. As the senseless encounter played out, the woman identified as 25 year old Shi’dea lane is seen engaged in a profanity laced verbal exchange with 59 year old RTA Transit Driver, Artis Hughes. Many witnesses say that Lane was the agitator, but a closer look at the video clip confirms that Hughes was just as irate, vile, and a willing participant in what began as a simple heated argument typically reserved for catty females. Hughes a 22 year veteran of Cleveland’s RTA Transit can be heard threatening Lane with violence. Hughes called Lane a bitch, and said “I’ll bring my daughter up here. I’ll bring my granddaughter up here to whoop your ass”. Lane did not back down and appeared to give the elderly man as much as she got. The verbal dispute escalated with Hughes telling Lane to shut up and began insulting Lane by insulting her appearance. “Look like somebody then sliced your face up” is what he said. That comment grew laughter and excitement from other young female patrons who seemed entertained and eager for more, as their boisterous outburst of laughter from the crowd hit a nerve for Lane, who appeared to become embarrassed, and set her off on an even more intense offensive. Lane then approached the driver while he was allegedly operating his transit coach in motion and engaged him in some fashion, physically (that part of the incident isn’t fully visible in the clip). According to witnesses and Hughes, Lane allegedly grabbed Hughes around his throat, and exp-orated (spit) in his face. Hughes is seen getting out of his driver’s seat, slowly walking toward Lane, and saying repeatedly, “your going to jail now”.  Hughes then struck Lane with a vicious left uppercut that should have rendered the young petite female unconscious. Hughes promptly grabbed the woman and literally threw her off the bus onto the street and began throwing her property off as well. The audio of the clip depicts how suddenly and quickly the mood of onlookers changed to shock, disbelief, as they began to chastise Hughes. One woman could be heard saying “that’s a female”. Hughes defended his actions be saying, “If she wanna be a man, I’m going to treat you like a man”. When Lane got back on the bus in retaliation, Hughes could be seen with both of his hands wrapped around Lane’s throat choking her. Other patrons intervened and got the physically superior Hughes off of Lane. Lane who was visibly distraught, tried to fight back. Hughes grabbed Lane by her hair in a manner often seen when two woman are fighting. It wasn’t a pretty scene at all, and although Lane perhaps probably bit off more than she could chew when she engaged Hughes physically, the driver’s actions were excessive, and portrayed himself in what some men call bitch like. For the record and purpose of my commentary, I will admit that Lane’s act of exp-orating on Hughes is disgusting and would have angered me to the point of hostility also. However, Hughes a supposedly trained professional is mostly at fault in this incident, in my opinion. Further investigation of this story revealed that Hughes didn’t believe that Lane had money to pay her fair. He wanted her off the bus but Lane eventually did pay. How the incident escalated from a dispute over bus fare resulted in the brutalization of a black woman at the hands of a black man, is completely bewildering. I can explain my thoughts better with this summarizing of the incident:

Artis Hughes was in fact a 22 year veteran of the Cleveland Transit Service and should have had practical experience in dealing with irate or disruptive patrons. Once Lane paid her fare the dispute should have terminated. From what little we could see within both Hughes and Lane’s characters, they both appear to be strong minded individuals. However, Hughes is charged with maintaining control of his coach as well as the responsibility and the safety of patrons riding with him. In this case the young patrons who laughed and became a heckling galley, is just as much responsible for promoting the incident to it’s escalation of violence. Common sense tells me that Hughes more than likely became embarrassed by the comments from a sharp tongue Lane (Momma always said a woman can do with her mouth what a man could never do with his hands). The patrons on the bus (probably silly youth) ignited the eventual outcome that resulted in violence. Hughes is greatly at fault for not defusing the hostility. Once Lane paid her fare, he should not have engaged her in dialogue any further unless it pertained to his job. Hughes allowed his pride to get in the way and that’s when his thong reared it’s filthy and nasty head. Hughes encounters all walks of life everyday driving the bus, and Lane should have been nothing more than a routine part of the job. She paid her fare so keep it moving. The real truth is that Hughes clearly suffers from the “fuck the public” disease which he has acquired over the years from countless spats just like this one with unruly and irate patrons. Hughes was a walking time bomb as job related stress finally took it’s toll on him. Not just that though, Hughes failed to follow protocol when he allowed himself to engage a patron in an unprofessional capacity. Calling people names like bitch, and threatening to have your family come on the job to whoop their ass is undoubtedly a major violation for most work places, and most certainly on jobs where your an official functioning in a public safety capacity. People say that Lane deserved what she got and that very well may be true, but Hughes was a participant, and just because your driving a bus doesn’t mean that someone won’t tear off on your ass for running your mouth. A man his age should be well aware of how women react to being called a bitch. In some respects, Hughes got just what he deserved for being stupid enough to agitate an irate bus patron. He is lucky she only spit on him. She could have stabbed him, which has been the case in many instances with bus drivers like in New York City. Hughes’ actions place the patrons on his coach in great risk. He appeared to be a distracted bus driver when he was arguing with Lane while his coach was in motion. In fact, those hecklers on that bus are probably completely unaware just how much danger they were in. Moreover, Hughes could also be charged with assault along side Lane. Once Hughes stopped his coach, he could have stepped off of the bus and called the police. He wasn’t in any danger at that point. Lane had retreated, and any self defense claim Hughes makes will only fall flat. It’s clear that Hughes wanted revenge for being expat-ed on and choked. He allowed his pride to cost him his job. Regardless of the volume of people who sides with Artis Hughes in this incident, as a black man I have serious trouble digesting the level of violence Hughes enacted upon this woman. Our society has become so consumed with problem youth that we have allowed ourselves to be void of sound judgement in times of adversity, and we result to violence to resolve conflict by default. The argument could be made that the behavior of some adults is a direct result of violent youth behavior. I am challenged comprehending the mindset of a seasoned adult male who find it necessary to strike a woman. I could understand if Lane had some sort of weapon and Hughes or a patron on his coach were in eminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. That wasn’t the case here and he should be prosecuted along side Shi’dea Lane. Although I feel Lane’s actions arrived at a criminal level, I have traveled transit buses also, and I have first hand knowledge of running for the bus, getting on and trying to pay my fare without falling down while the bus is in motion. Why didn’t he give her the opportunity to gather her fare? I am curious what he said to her to send her in such a rage (something about food stamps, implying she was poor probably was the culprit)? Hughes could have stopped the bus and called police at any time during lane’s disruption, just like most transit operators do. Hughes failed to do that and welcomed the senseless violence that resulted. Who allows themselves to lose their job over a person they don’t even know in a situation like this. I have no compassion for him losing his job. As for Shi’dea Lane, she’s 25 and still learning. The below interview shows she has already learned a valuable lesson putting her hands on a man. Artis Hughes should have known better and is a complete disgrace to black men everywhere. One day he’ll put his hands on the right person’s daughter and perhaps he’ll get a lesson in hard knocks himself, even at his age.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

It was all captured on video when 6 teenage girls repeatedly pummeled a defenseless mentally challenged woman, in what police say was an unprovoked vicious attack, and then posted on Facebook as if the entire ordeal was a big joke. The crime occurred in a Philadelphia suburb of Chester, PA. The young girls continuously struck the woman who could be seen with her hands and arms wrapped around her head in an attempt to protect herself from a pack of savages. One of the girls even beat the woman with what appears to be a shoe, in an extremely disturbing video that has outraged many whom have seen the clip. The onset of broadcast yourself social networking sites like Youtube and Facebook, has scenes like this one providing online entertainment for a blood thirsty public which encourages crimes of this nature. Though such behavior is escalating among our young people, the most disturbing fact in many of these cases is that the children’s parents are their enablers, whose actions or lack there of are the primary source from which such violence, viciousness, and lawlessness originates. This couldn’t be more evident as an aunt of one of the Chester teen suspects attempted to downplay the girls action by characterizing the incident as poor decision-making. The evidence in this case could not be more clear that the delinquency of these children derives from poor parental guidance more than likely harvested in a culture of violence, neglect, and exacerbated by relatives who step forward with bold audacity to support kids whom have done egregious wrong to others. I am not a Pastor, a Social Counselor, and nor am I naive. I am completely aware of the unbreakable bond between parents and their children. However, child rearing is not a new commodity, and the responsibility of children’s actions have never left the doorsteps of parenthood. We will debate socialism within various sub-cultural groups until the end of time, but society as a whole has long-established standards for civilized behavior. Unfortunately, in the modern world many of our young people have never been taught the distinction between civilization and barbarism, and they are headed on a course toward self-destruction far greater than heinous acts have ever been committed upon any other culture of people in the history of mankind.  Many have offered the excuse that the plight of black youth primarily arrives from broken homes with single parenting, lack of opportunity, poverty, and continued emasculation by the white ruling class. I can’t dismiss some of these arguments as invalid or not having merit, because in many instances some, if not all of the premises that I describe are in fact factors which impact black youth living in the inner cities of this country. Our existence upon these shore have been a complete upheaval and there is no way of getting around that. If we consider the history of African-American people in this country, we can not escape the realization that violence has never aided in uplifting our people, and to comprehend the constant violence now bestowed upon ourselves, especially our young people, it is not only counter productive to our survival, but rather  an urban genocide designed specifically for our eventual and complete annihilation. The Chester case depicts the complete disrespect that young people have for adults. Children who can find humor in the gang beating of others simply for fun is very disturbing, but beating a 48-year-old woman denotes a serious and alarming disconnect between kids and parental authority. How has the black community arrived at such a Plateau of social despair? The kind of violence demonstrated in this case was once reserved for young males unable to properly resolve conflict by resorting to violence in a pseudonym representation of their true character or macho display of testosterone, but now we see a growing number of young woman engaging in violent acts that exceed the common school yard cat fight. There are those who argue that these are just kids or little girls and should not be measured by adult standards, but part of the learning process for our young people must be responsibility. Kids that harm others by committing adult crimes must be treated as adults. This case has no place in the juvenile courts and they should be punished for their violent and vicious behavior along side adults who wanted to live their lives as thugs. If we truly want to curtail the culture of violence that permeates black youth culture, we must set the bar and standard high for those who break the law and think it’s cute or funny, if for no other provocation but to make an example for other youth aspiring to be young black thugs in America.

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Long before most of us within the public following the tragic story of pretty little Phylicia Barnes discovered that the child had perished, there were Psychics following the case who chatted in online forums, and offered clues that have since materialized. One of the most interesting perspectives that I recall was a psychic who said she saw a large bridge connecting two bodies of land. The comment was made after she tapped into some sort of sensory perception from para-psychological forces or influence related to the Barnes Teen disappearance. The comment holds tremendous credibility now that Barnes was actually found murdered at the Conowingo Dam in Northern Maryland. When viewing the Dam, it’s chilling  when considering that parties with such abilities outside of natural or scientific knowledge in a  spiritual realm had actually given us such early,  precise, and distinctive clues related to what actually happened to Phylicia Barnes. The comments were made in January of 2011, long before the Barnes teen was found dead. I have since been trying to locate the forum in where the comments were made, and I promise to bring the thread here for all to view once I locate it again. Also, there were other psychics who describe a scenario where Phylicia was being held captive in a dark desolate place, and described with gory detail the manner in which the child had suffered in her final hours. Those comments raised eyebrows as well, because even the Chief of Baltimore’s Police Department had stated early on in the Barnes investigation that he believe the child or her body was more than likely being moved around. His comments came after tips from the public surfaced citing various locations around Baltimore where the child could possibly be found. All of those tips were declared unfounded. Information from the public caused police to initially convey that Barnes may have been abducted. The psychic who chatted about the case seemed certain of what her para-psychological insight was telling her, but there is even more that tends to offer a closer look, and reveal just how accurate the psychics just may have actually been. If we review the comments tweeted by Danisha McIntosh again, we see a potentially disturbing sequence of events:

Danisha’s Tweets

B3uteful–1831. Crying all crazy Friday, January 28, 2011 4:13:53 PM via twidroyd (original)

B3uteful–1832. Stop making all that noise outside my dor Friday, January 28, 2011 4:13:16 PM via twidroyd (original)

B3uteful–1833. It s trapped at the dam . Please don’t pull the lever Friday, January 28, 2011 4:12:28 PM via twidroyd (original)

The Conowingo Dam in Northern Maryland: Where the nude body of Phylicia Barnes was found, and possibly the location Danisha McIntosh was referring when she tweeted, “It’s trapped at the dam.

The tweeted comments appear to be referencing crying and loud noise near and around Danisha’s door or close to her location at the time of her tweets. The comments are also made in a seemingly general fashion, but are explosive when we add the initial tweet that refers to a dam, being trapped, and not pulling the lever. It’s been widely speculated that Barnes may have actually been alive in late January of 2011.If that is the case, then Danisha may have had knowledge regarding her whereabouts, and never told the cops about it. The psychic visioned the child being held captive and Danisha’s tweet seems to confirm this. Danisha’s tweets supports this possibility in late January of that year. I am convinced that the crying and loud noise her tweets describe are related to Phylicia Barnes. Her tweets refer to something being trapped at a dam and less than a minute she describes the noise and “crying all crazy”. This perspective is extremely compelling and it’s highly doubtful that Danisha’s tweets were coincidence. It’s very possible that young Phylicia Barnes was alive and held against her will just as the psychic had described. Also, other details offered by psychic insight depicted the place in which Barnes may have been held captive was in an extremely warm place. There are tweets that lean toward this possibility as well. Tweets by Johnson family members on the day that Phylicia went missing are very interesting to say the very least. Hours after Glenton Johnson, Michael Johnson, and possibly others tweeted while driving in the Rolling Road area, Glenton makes a comment that may also support psychic revelations:

Johnson Tweets

12-28 3:24 pm Glenton tweet Hot as shyt in here
12-28 3:31 pm Kevin Johnson Tweet Watch wat u tweet. “the man” is watching.. lok
12-28 3:32 pm Glenton tweet @Chocolatewastd I told yu my fone was dying
12-28 3:35 pm Glenton Tweet My battery bout dead, useless as fone, #pos
12-28 3:38 pm Kevin Johnson Tweet See @Lil_Senca thats my muthafuckin nigga (flaka
voice)

On December 28, 2010 Glenton tweets about how hot it was at his location. His tweet is followed by a warning from Kevin Johnson to watch what you tweet “the man is watching”. It’s no doubt that “the man” he is referring to is the police. It’s uncertain where Glenton was at the time, but many have suspected his involvement in the Barnes killing, and other tweets referencing whooping a female is highly suspicious and very well may have been refering to the Barnes teen. More importantly though, why did a tweet about heat conditions draw a warning comment from the older Johnson male? Clearly the Johnsons had concerns that they were being watched and Kevin Johnson believed Glenton’s tweet may disclose what ever they were attempting to conceal. The other tweets were just as informative because Glenton appears to be indicating he is cutting off his phone in code. The praise Kevin gives him highlights and supports my perspective here. So, again we have another clue that may have been offered by a psychic related to the Barnes case. The child’s mother even believes that her daughter was alive in late January. After reading the comments by Danisha, Janice Mustafa told TPC during an interview that she believes Danisha McIntosh tweeted about her daughter. Janice said that’s just how her daughter would have reacted, crying uncontrollably, especially in a fearful situation. The mom’s comments adds even more interest into what psychics have said about her daughter prior to her being discovered dead. Another aspect of the case points to an establishment owned by the Johnson’s family in which authorities believe the child or her body may have been held. I won’t disclose the location of the property, but it’s believed that the location may contain forensic evidence surrounding the Barnes killing. I am sure like most following the case , the revelations offered by psychics during the early stages of the Barnes murder investigation were met with complete skepticism, but looking back at much of what they said about the case appears to be the most compelling and accurate perspective offered. Their insight went undetected and clearly were the most accurate account offered by anyone regarding what happened to young Phylicia Simone Barnes.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

It was a familiar scene in the West Lexington Street Courthouse in downtown Baltimore. Accused killer Michael Johnson was lead into the court room shackled and prepared to stand trial for the killing of Monroe, N.C. honors teen Phylicia Barnes. Only this time Johnson’s appearance was brief as both attorneys for the State and Defense agreed that more time was needed to sort through reportedly 17,000 documents from the case’ Discovery filing, generated from investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Baltimore City Homicide Division respectively. Although the postponement is bitter-sweet for Barnes family members, and a concerned public, the delay shed new insight into Johnson’s bolstered Defense Team. Johnson’s legal counsel has grown with three additional attorneys filing their appearances on his behalf. The addition of another Law Firm has peaked interest of followers in this tragic case, but the revelation of the State having filed such a volume of evidence in it’s Discovery demonstrates that Johnson’s defense necessitated assistance digesting all of the State’s documents. One of Johnson’s Defense Counsels Ivan Bates, who represents Johnson along with Russell Neverdon and Tony Garcia, even admitted himself that the State’s case was overwhelming, saying “It’s a lot of work” to review”. Lead Defense Counsel Russell Neverdon said he’s confused by the police claims in this case, particularly after reviewing their investigation files, and he contends that law enforcement is relying on “the old cliche” of blaming the person who admits the latest interaction with the victim. Neverdon’s comments obviously are mere posturing, because the latest filing in the case reveals that the Defense has waived Johnson’s Hicks rights (A Law that grants criminal defendants a right to a speedy trial; typically within 180 days). If Neverdon’s position truly supports a weak State’s case, the Defense would almost certainly have argued to proceed with trial today. More importantly, 17,000 pages of discovery evidence is no cake walk, and Johnson’s attorneys know it. The Defense can “cry wolf” that the case against Johnson is circumstantial all they want, but such a discovery, even on it’s face tends to point to an upheaval, and a stringent fight toward the desired acquittal of their client. Another interesting factor which points to defense posturing is Neverdon’s comments when questioned about a possible plea deal. Johnson’s lawyers said there has been no talk of a plea deal yet, and won’t be until they’ve had a chance to fully review the state’s case. Such a statement certainly appears to leave the door wide open for that option down the road, and shoots down the defense’s public display of confidence in their ability to obtain an eventual acquittal of  Michael Johnson. Johnson’s defense admission of an overwhelming discovery filing, the Hicks waiving, and their straddling the fence when responding to plea deal inquiries, sounds a different tune regarding their confidence in this case. In short they appear to be reeling in the face of a potential prima fascia State case against Johnson. Moreover, State Attorneys claim there is even more to come in this case. That statement was void of details as the State remains unusually tight-lipped, and the objective observer must refer back to Judge John A. Howard’s remarks during Johnson’s Bail Hearing. One of the chief premises for Johnson’s bail denial is that Howard believed Johnson was a danger to society, while stating “to those closest to him”. While the state hints at even more discovery, these facts present an extremely compelling argument that parties within Johnson’s own camp may have flipped, possibly to save their own necks, and may even testify against him. The Case Filing on May 23, 2012 for a MOTION FOR JOINT TRIAL OF DEFENDANTS AND OFFENSES & a NOTICE OF PLEA BARGAIN POLICY remains a mystery, and continues to offer intangible clues to where this case is actually headed. The filings may have prompted the inquiries from the media about a plea deal. Why a Motion was filed for a Joint Trial of Defendants is unclear, however, it stands out as unique and odd during the process of a Capitol Crime in which there has only been one defendant named publicly. Justice delayed doesn’t necessarily mean justice denied, and we remain hopefully that the facts surrounding what really happened to young Phylicia Barnes comes to the light.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

The Native Virginia Beach teen literally shook up the world after winning the Woman’s Gymnastics All-Around Crown at the 2012 Summer Olympics, a feat never before accomplished by an American woman of color. She soured her way into the hearts of  Olympians and a vast global audience who cheered her on along the way. Her near effortless talent as a gymnast solidified her as the absolute best performer on the grandest stage in the world. Gabrielle Douglass did her Mom, Dad, and hometown proud with a performance almost certain to become remembered as the absolute best individual effort ever, by an African-American gymnast at the Olympics. As the Olympic Gold Medalist marched around 02 stadium in Britain draped with “Ole Glory”, another development reared its ugly head attempting to tarnish one of the greatest moments in World Sports history. Soon after Douglass took the podium to claim her Gold, comments began to emerge in social media which chastised the teen for what some would simply deem a bad hair day. Unsurprisingly though, many of the comments derived from other women of color who claim that “A Black Woman must represent her self in the best light at all times”, especially during an occasion such as this. Some women appear to have taken issue with the fashion in which Douglass wore her hair during her Olympic performances. The drama caught wind in the media from news affiliates whom are almost always eager to cast a negative light on the slightest accomplishments of famed Black-Americans. The comments came as a shock to many around the world, but in the African-American community here in the United States, such comments are only business as usual to many blacks who know the mindset of our community. American Blacks suffer from the disease of self-hatred that was indoctrinated into our people during the slave trade era. It’s not simply a matter of crabs in the barrel, but we continue to perpetuate a learned dislike for our own natural beauty. I’ll go on record right now by adding, if anyone can look at Gabrielle Douglass and conclude that she is, and was unattractive during her Olympic performances, then I suggest they run to the nearest Optometrist at their earliest convenience. Only a simple minded, envious nut case, and full of Haterade kind of person could find something negative to say about such a beautiful child. The kid riveted with an impassioned smile and displayed a unique candor with her body language unmatched by her Olympic peers. I am lost understanding why some black women did not see this. It’s just sad, even as Douglass’s popularity grew launching  her into the eventual crowd favorite, that some of her own people found it necessary to unleash childish, catty and little girl like comments about one of the most prolific athletes of our time. The comments depict exactly how sick some people of color really are. Once the comments were rebuffed by an appalled world fan base, many took the time to explain to bubble-head women who made comments, that athletes actual sweat, the perceived bad hair do was more than likely a clever idea by Douglass when considering the texture of African-American hair pertaining to its reaction to moisture. Her hair more than likely would have fallen flat anyway once she began her routines. However, this is dialogue for mature logical thinking people who’s lives are not predicated on what others perceptions are of them, or that of gossipy messy females who aspire to blend into a Euro-centric hair style culture. I mean what ass-holes they are. It’s incredible that in 2012 women of color in America remain such petty bitter bitches that the hair style of a teenage child has become such a distraction to them. It would be safe to say that the exact same women are probably major contributors to synthetic hair manufactures, all along while securing the prosperity of these same businesses, and insuring that they themselves remain in a state of mental slavery, oppression, and ignorance. What nerve they have. It’s with a distinct pleasure that The People’s Champion salute Ms. Gabrielle Douglass, her Mom, and her Dad on such an awesome accomplishment. Gabrielle Douglass, an American Olympian, and Gold Medalist. You did us all proud Gabby!

Gabby relaxing at her Iowa Home while showing off her flexibility.

This is what Champions are made of.

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

It may seem as if the attention is no longer focused on who killed the Honors Student from Monroe, N.C. in Baltimore back in 2010. The media coverage has been minimal, readers following the child’s tragic story have dwindled, and now with accused murderer Michael Johnson preparing for an August 13 court date, it’s fitting that I publicly reiterate just how senseless, heartless, and horrific of an ordeal that this entire case has been for those who knew and loved Phylicia Simone Barnes.  None of us who have closely watched this case could ever even began to image the pain and suffering that the late child’s parents have endured. The lost of such a promising child was exacerbated by attacks from the public, questioning their judgement, critiquing their comments within the media, and spewing other ungodly like innuendo at the child’s parents as if they had murdered their own child themselves. Through it all the Mustafa Family fought back, taking to the airwaves to dispell untruths and rumors that they say were started by their daughters father’s side of the family. Unfortunately, what should have been a united front from both sides of the Barnes family, spilled over into an ugly public debacle of finger-pointing, and the rehashing of old wombs that was depicted in a gut wrenching and heartfelt commentary be the late teen’s mother, Janice Mustafa. I also had to withstand and endure attacks from the public as well as the Barnes Baltimore family. Despite the constant criticism from all sides of the horrific crime, I stand firmly behind my decision to cover this murder case, and for my interviews that I have conducted with parties closely associated with this case. When young black kids go missing, they seldom gain National Media attention like children from white communities. The African-American community has been depended upon the media, police authorities, and others outside of our community to resolve issues related to crime, social discord, and our children for far to long. Many of the criminal cases that occur in black neighborhoods could potentially be resolved within the first few days if citizens within many of these crime plagued communities would simply take a stand and provide the necessary information that would enable police to obtain an arrest. The burden of guilt also lay squarely on the shoulders of black people who cower in their homes after having witnessed crime or are in the know of pertinent information that could bring criminals to justice. The Barnes teen killing is textbook related to my argument of non-involvement from the black community. The volume of people who frequented Deena Barnes’ apartment coupled with all of their accounts of not having any information at all about what happened to Phylicia Barnes, is descriptive of an apathetic standard which permeates the African-American community as it relates to crime, even heinous crimes such as this, in which one of black people’s brightest hopes has fallen to the epidemic of violent culture within many urban cities across America, and their silence perpetuates a slave mentality that has reigned over our people which dates back to the worst social period in this country’s history when our ancestors lived in bondage on these shores. Yet, many from the public have deemed it necessary to attack Janice Sallis-Mustafa for allowing her child to visit her half-siblings in Baltimore. These perspectives derive from people who for what ever reason have completely ignored the fact that the mother was lied too. I believe Janice when she says that she spoke with Deena Barnes at length on the guidance she expected while her precious daughter was under her care. The fact that Phylicia herself hid certain details on the kinds of activities she was allowed to engage in, clearly shows that the mother wouldn’t have allowed her to return for future visits had she been aware, and that she was also a proactive mom who cared about the well-being of her child. Despite who may ultimately be held accountable for the child’s murder, the lies that were told to Janice Mustafa were critical in the mother’s decision to grant Phylicia permission to travel there in the first place. Also. I must remind people tha another child dropped a bomb shell on the mother prior to her traveling to Baltimore after learning her daughter had gone missing. That kid told Janice that Phylicia had been allowed to engage in drug and alcohol usage during her trips to that city. Later on TPC obtained exclusive images that showed males who frequented Deena Barnes apartment engaging in smoking marijuana and drinking vodka, which is exactly what the child had previously told Phylicia’s mother. The child had never been to Baltimore, and it is highly coincidental that she could describe with exact detail what was actually going on in that apartment. It doesn’t take rocket science to conclude that the child spoke truth, that Phylicia was also allowed to participate in such culture while visiting there, and that Janice Mustafa was in fact lied to by Deena Barnes. The lies, neglect, and poor guidance that aided the child’s killers to take her life is not only disgusting, but it remains ground zero in what happened to this beautiful little girl. As this case heads to court, these underlining facts will continue to be on the minds of people within the public who see clearly through the cloud of deception, and will always rightfully hold the child’s older half-sister accountable for the death of her baby sister. I have only  just begun to start and I’m not done yet!

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

One of the fondest images I’ve ever held of the Valentines is a picture with Cousin Veronica and her four pretty little girls standing on the stoop of their Atlantic City, New Jersey home in the late 1970’s. Ronnie as she was affectionately known to all that knew her, extended her arms covering her offspring in a classic expression of love as if she was presenting her babies to the world. That photo isn’t just an icon family portrait, but for the most part  it epitomized the very legacy of love, togetherness, and family that most people will certainly frame in their minds as the fashion in which she developed her kids, while remembering this caring, kind, and fun-loving person. My memory of Veronica Valentine isn’t predicated on allegiance to family or relative bias, but rather it’s my practical experience of having been counseled, advised, disciplined, and impacted by the spirit of true motherly love she displayed while I interacted with her. Ronnie was an extremely nice person who I personally have never observed being upset about anything or even raising her voice. Her persona projected positiveness, and she made it a distinct point to disassociated herself from negativity of any kind. Like most people who possess unique characters that’s distinct from the norm, Ronnie wasn’t void of ridicule from people who perceived her as arrogant, self-righteous, and better than others. Those opinions from others, even family members, were just that (their opinion), and she never allowed such animosity to deter her from anything. Cousin Ronnie was a woman of Faith. God reigned in her life, and she made that abundantly clear to all. You knew where to find Ronnie on Sunday, as the Lord’s House was her sanctuary, a life practice mirrored by her children to this very day.  My reflection of my cousin isn’t filled with hot air and distortions of the true. All anyone has to know about her to determine the kind of person she was, can easily be measured by simply talking to the four beautiful, distinct, and sweet woman that she raised. My cousins are not being portrayed as  perfect people, no one is perfect or without sin. They are very good people, that’s the truth, and interacting with any one of them will reveal that they were raised in an  environment that derived from love, wisdom, values, and a home that knew the Lord. In fact their characters have always been so alluring that they were considered the envy of their peers. Ronnie was a strong Christian Woman who doubled as a full-time single parent and that obstacle was a mere bump in the road. Ronnie’s personal strength surpassed every obstacle that life brought to her. She was an enormously strong person that I have always admired, respected, and sought advise from.   Her ability to raise her girls in the face of  adversity is simply an incredible story, and embodies how woman of color have been the backbone of their families for centuries.These are facts that I know because I lived it and is also the reason that her passing hurts so very deeply. I have never been angry with her, because I had no cause to be. I can’t speak for my siblings or other family members, but Ronnie treated me as if I was her own child. I don’t know if such affection originated from the closeness that she shared with my late mother, but she always treated me as family in ever since of the word. Veronica Valentine was an iconic family figure and her having passed is one of the most difficult days of my life. I will miss our talks, her loving personality, and most importantly I’ll miss how kind she was to me. Cousin Ronnie has gone on to be with the Lord now, but she has left this earth having completed her work. Though I will never see her in the flesh again, those four beautiful girls will be a constant reminder to me that we are still family, and they are the gift she gave to this world.  I pay homage to Veronica Valentine today and thank her for the loving spirit she shared with me. I am grateful to have such a blissful woman touch my life. I love you Ronnie and I’ll think of you every day the rest of my life. God speed.

The early days: Cousin Veronica Valentine with her four pretty little girls dressed in their Sunday’s Best circa 1970’s in Atlantic City, New Jersey!

(I can’t help but laugh while fighting back tears looking at this picture. Kim (all white) has the biggest smile), Lynn (baby blue) looks as if she is the star and should be the only one in the picture, Danita (green plaid) looks like she is watching the ice cream truck go by, and Donna’s plaid coat and matching hat is simply a classic family portrait. I love each and everyone of ya’ll)

Your Cousin

David

In what appears to be gearing up as one of the most highly anticipated murder trials for the City of Baltimore in recent memory, court filings show momentum toward the scheduled August 13, 2012 trial date for accused killer Michael Maurice Johnson. One day after Johnson stood primarily silent and shackled before a Circuit Court Judge, his defense team acquired two new counsels who filed their appearances in this case. On Jun 21 Tony Garcia esq. and Ivan Bates esq. filed ADFs as attorneys for the defense. The filings bolsters the defense counsel from three to five attorneys now officially connected to the Phylicia Barnes murder trial who are now defending Michael Johnson. Prosecutors allege that Johnson, who was reportedly the last person to see young Phylicia Barnes alive, strangled the child and transported her body out of a Northwest Baltimore apartment in a large tub style container. Although, the state hasn’t hinted at possible physical evidence which links Johnson to the killing, other recent court filings seem to point to at least some kind of actual physical evidence in the case. On July 3 there were other filings that relates to tangible evidence. There was actually a motion filed to subpoena tangible evidence in the case. That filing was followed by a trigger date of July 11, 2012. Filings of this nature are mere procedural as each side begin mounting crucial evidence that supports their arguments in the case. However, it’s widely believed that the evidence subpoena is more than likely for telephone or social media records and the medical examiners reports which may help shape the state’s case while proving Johnson actually killed the studious honors teen. Early on during the investigation of the Barnes teen killing, Federal authorities sought social media accounts of the Barnes teen, Michael Johnson, his kid brother Delanie, Denna Barnes, and another unnamed male associated with the case. The subpoena probably was a prosecutorial filing because the state’s entire outlined case against Johnson must be turned over to the defense in accordance with discovery laws at some point prior to the scheduled court appearance.  Subpoenas are typically measures taken to insure that evidence which normally wouldn’t voluntarily be entered as evidence, is in fact at the state’s disposal during trial, and could be mandated by a court of law.  The evidence in this case remains to be seen if any bona fide material even exist. The defense has long claimed that the state’s case is nothing more than mere circumstantial, and charges against Johnson were a rush to judgement as the prosecutor’s lead investigator became a subject of a criminal investigation which alleged he used his police powers to illegally enter private homes in search of his runaway daughter. Johnson’s attorneys say the investigator’s integrity is now under scrutiny, and the state wants the Barnes case adjudicated before departmental charges take center stage against the detective. Whether the defense’ claims hold any bearing or not remains to be seen. However, court filings points to the potential direction of the state’s case against Johnson. A DEMAND FOR CHEMIST filing was entered during the pretrial phase on April 27 2012 and recently another such filing was made on June 21 2012 in the case. Though the filings are again procedural, it clearly demonstrates that some expert will testify regarding the toxins, chemicals or other forensics that were found either on the body or within the Barnes teen’s system at the time of her medical examination. Such evidence could be categorized as tangible if such findings link Johnson or supports some other theory related to how Johnson meted out the pretty little girl’s murder. In all actuality, the court filings can be interpreted in various ways as it is uncertain which side of this criminal case has requested the services of a chemist. Such a request could have been filed by the state and the defense respectively. For instance, the state  may use the expert testimony of a chemist to prove that fibers discovered on the Barnes teen’s body are chemically consistent with fibers and other forensic findings inside the trunk of Johnson’s car or are exact in comparison to fibers on clothing he wore that day. On the other hand, the defense may argue that the Barnes teen’s cause of death wasn’t a result of strangulation as the state has alleged. The defense could use a chemist to prove that Barnes died from alcohol poisoning or a combination of drug and alcohol intoxication. Such a perspective wouldn’t be a stretch at all considering the allegations that Barnes was allowed to use drugs and alcohol while she visited her half-sister’s apartment in Baltimore. Either way that a chemist is utilized in this case, the very existence of a scientific professional of this caliber is a rudimentary in the eventual final disposition determining Micheal Johnson’s guilt or innocence in the murder of Phylicia Barnes. For now the public can only speculate on what these court filings actually mean, while continuing to pray that justice prevails for our pretty little flower, Phylicia Simone Barnes. View the State of Maryland’s Court filing history for Michael Johnson’s murder trial below:

Event History Information

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

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When most Americans, Blacks and Whites hear the terms Black Panthers and Black Liberation Army, they turn away and avoid simple dialogue regarding such organizations out of fear of reprisals from government officials or the stigma of being perceived pro-black, and militant. Much of the negative characterization that has lingered around such affiliations, political, and social empowerment groups derived from counter intelligence campaigns like COINTELLPRO which were designed  to suppress the mobilization of Black Nationalist groups that were born in the height of the Civil Rights era in America. Chiefly, racist U.S. officials such as the infamous J. Edgar Hoover, former head of the F.B.I. (Federal Bureau of Investigations) made it a point to use the full power of the American Government to make an example of any black person who dare brazenly, boldly, and courageously rise up and publicly fight against the tyranny, oppression, and imperialism of  the United States.

There are countless prominent African-American figures who were not only targeted by such convert government programs, but many of them ultimately fell as a result of their political and social views that racist public officials deemed a threat to National Security and  the white ruling class’ political order. COINTELLPRO is an acronym for Counter Intelligence Program which used  surveillance, infiltration, discrediting, and disruption of domestic political organizations. Many of the tactics that were used included discrediting targets through psychological warfare; smearing individuals and groups using forged documents and by planting false reports in the media; harassment; wrongful imprisonment; and illegal violence, including assassination. Although illegal covert operations such as COINTELLPRO have been exposed, many who fell target to such scrutiny are still deemed as a threat even until this very day. 

One of the more known cases is the plight of JoAnne Deborah Byron (married name Chesimard)  who is more commonly referred to as Assata Shakur. Assata is a Community College of New York graduate who participated in rallies and became an African-American activist fighting for social change in America. Her political affiliation has ties to the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. Both organizations were heavily watched by the F.B.I. and almost every member of the two groups became targets of COINTELLPRO. Assata’s troubles began when COINTELLPRO launched a campaign against her that started in 1971. She was accused of multiple felonies that eventually culminated in a successful prosecution and conviction for the murder of a New Jersey State Trooper (strong evidence supports that the police may have dumped the slain cop’s body at the scene of a traffic stop framing Shakur and others driving in the car that day) The below chart outlines all of the criminal charges filed against Shakur, which she was never convicted of except the murder charge of slaying Trooper Werner Foerster. 

Additionally, documentary evidence suggests that Shakur was targeted by an investigation named CHESROB, which “attempted to hook former New York Panther Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur) to virtually every bank robbery or violent crime involving a black woman on the entire East Coast. The eventual acquittal of most charges against Assata demonstrates that they were trumped-up and never had any merit from the very start. Nonetheless, the state of New Jersey spent over a million dollars in tax payer’s money to win a conviction against Shakur, whose trial like most prominent African-Americans were nothing more than “public lynchings” in “kangaroo courts”. It has always been the policy of some in the racist American government to silence influential blacks based on nothing more than racism alone. It’s clear that New York and New Jersey law enforcement never had a solid case against Assata. The COINTELLPRO campaign against her rallied support from whites in this country who accepted just about everything that the media published about blacks who were deemed “radical”, depicted as violent, and were a threat to the comfort that many whites had become accustomed to during an era in American when many felt black people were gaining too much politically, socially, and way too fast. 

However, the overt racial climate that existed during the Civil Rights Movement has now dissipated, and the fact that law enforcement officials of today continue to increase the bounty for the capture and incarceration of once prominent black political figures such as Assata Shakur speaks volumes regarding the true extent of just how much the Government’s policy has actually change related to the advancement of African-Americans in this country. The details of Trooper Werner Foerster’s killing are extremely shaky at best. For example, expert witness who testified during the Shakur trial clearly demonstrated that Assata could not have fired a weapon as the cops claimed that day. X-ray images depicted that during the alleged shoot out, bullets that struck Shakur entered her body while her hands were raised in the air from behind. The Prosecution’s counter on these facts were met with testimony which deemed police accounts “anatomically impossible” by an expert witness. 

More importantly to Shakur’s defense though, is that Neutron Activation Analysis (testing conducted to determine if a person has fired a weapon) administered after the shootout showed no gun powder residue on Shakur’s fingers; her fingerprints were not found on any weapon at the scene, according to forensic analysis performed at the Trenton, New Jersey crime lab and the FBI crime labs in Washington D.C.  According to tape recordings and police reports made several hours after the shoot-out, when Harper (one of the cops involved who fingered Shakur) returned on foot to the administration building 200 yards (183 m) away, he did not report Foerster’s presence at the scene; no one at headquarters even knew of Foerster’s involvement in the shoot-out until his body was discovered beside his patrol car, more than an hour later. Despite these very exculpatory facts, Shakur was found guilty and remanded to custody for decades. 

Assata’s trial contained the usual questionable adjudication tactics often seem during criminal trials of prominent blacks during that time, like the dismissal of legal funding, multiple contempt of court rulings for the defense, and rulings that violated her constitutional rights under the law making it virtually impossible for Assata’s attorney to mount an adequate defense. Her time in prison caused her to become a constant victim of brutality, confinement to deplorable conditions, and was often visited while shackled to a cot. Fearful that Shakur’s demise would culminate at the hands of New Jersey State Correctional Officials, trusted friends and other supporters literally ‘busted” Shakur from prison. On November 2, 1979 she escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility for women in New Jersey, when three members of the Black Liberation Army visiting her drew concealed .45-caliber pistols, seized two guards as hostages and commandeered a prison van. For years after Shakur’s escape, the movements, activities, and phone calls of her friends and relatives—including her daughter walking to school in upper Manhattan—were monitored by investigators in an attempt to ascertain her whereabouts, but to no avail. 

Shakur remained on the run as a fugitive from justice until she fled to the island nation of Cuba by 1984; in that year she was granted political asylum in that country where she remains to this day. Shakur a once english editor at the University of Havanna lived openly for years. Recent extradition efforts by the F.B.I. (including a reported deal to lift the American embargo against Cuba in exchange the release of 90 fugitives believed living there, including Shakur) has forced Shakur underground again, but she remains a celebrated political figure within African-American studies at Colleges and Universities world-wide from many of those who sympathize with her plight. Others within in the New Jersey law enforcement community revile her as a cold-blooded killer. Fidel Castro himself said, Assata Shakur was “a victim of racial persecution”, also saying “they wanted to portray her as a terrorist, something that was an injustice, a brutality, and an infamous lie”. 

African-American politicians have called for the bounty on Shakur to be rescended and many educators have called her a “revolutionary fighter against imperialism”. Read a complete history on the Assata Shakur case here: African -American Freedom Fighter Assata Shakur. There are those within the African-American community who argue that blacks who involve themselves with controversial groups of this nature are suffering from self imposed horrors from a knowingly racist government, and should not be afforded empathy nor notoriety. I personally beg to differ from such a perspective, as the right of free speech is constitutionally protected, and personal non-violent ideologies should not be persecuted solely on race and other diverse ideals related to philosophical disparities.  Assata’s story demonstrates the imperialistic power of our government, and how anyone can be fabricated into a villain to silence their political and social idealism. Assata Shakur, a true freedom fighter of her people. She remains free for now!

The People’s Champion

I’m David Adams

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