Source: Los Angeles Times

I know, those are two dramatically different situations going on, but that’s why this is considered random and crazy ish.

On the first note, in the midst of one of the biggest PR crises to hit Chick-Fil-A in recent years, the company’s vice president of public relations passed away suddenly from a heart attack this morning. Chick-fil-A released a statement saying:

“We are saddened to report the news to you that our dear friend Don Perry, vice president of public relations, passed away suddenly this morning.

“Don was a member of our Chick-fil-A family for nearly 29 years.  He was a well-respected and well-liked media executive in the Atlanta and University of Georgia communities, and we will all miss him.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Although many factors play a role in one’s risk for a heart attack, it’s hard to not see the stress of defending Chick-Fil-A’s stance against gay marriage—which he had been doing repeatedly lately—as a possible contributing factor here. It’s definitely sad to think his job might have killed him.

On another note, for some reason Conrad Murray thinks that now is a good time for him to have a jail cell chit chat with Katherine Jackson. The doctor widely regarded as the man who killed Michael Jackson told CNN that he heard Katherine is “having a difficult time” (ya think?) and he’d like her to come to his jailhouse for a talk.

“I’ve been told that she has a desire to speak with me before she departs this life,” he said. “Seeing that she is up in age and in questionable health, and the fact that she is the mother of a very dear departed friend, it would give me great pleasure to sit with her one on one and answer any questions she might have.

“I do not want Mrs. Jackson to suffer. She remains as dear to me as my own mother, unbeknownst to her.”

Interesting timing, Dr. Murray. I’m pretty sure Katherine has enough fooolishness going on in her life without adding the complication of meeting with her son’s convicted killer to boot. He’s going to have to hold off on that reunion and he actually ought to be happy to stay as far away from the seemingly wacko Jackos right now anyway.

What do you think about the death of Chick-Fil-A’s exec and Conrad Murray’s request?

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There was Eddie Long, the conviction of Conrad Murray, the protests in the Middle East and Oprah’s retirement. A lot of stuff went down this year.

Check out the most jaw-dropping moments of 2011 at Hello Beautiful.com.

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Dr. Conrad Murray was sentenced to four years in prison today, after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter earlier this month for the death of Michael Jackson.

Dr. Murray will serve his sentence behind the bars of a county jail rather than state prison, and already many are speculating he could be let out on early release if the county jail system reaches capacity, according to an article in the LA Times.

Still, many are feeling like justice has been served as best it can for the tragic death of the King of Pop June 25, 2009.

Are you happy with the outcome of the trial? Do you think four years is the appropriate sentence for Dr. Murray?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Right after we heard Thandie Newton threw a bit of a fit over the lack of black women covering Vogue—namely her— we learned that Janet Jackson is appearing on the cover of the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia December issue.

The shoot was taken during her recent trip to the area as part of her ‘Number Ones: Up, Close, & Personal’ tour, which she’s put on hold during the final days of the Conrad Murray trial. I think Janet looks absolutely gorgeous in that green lace corset dress. I wonder what Thandie would say?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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As much as I’ve tried to stay away from what many are calling the Michael Jackson “murder trial,” the thirst for blood not only from the prosecution — but also from the millions of MJ fans around the globe who feel the King of Pop was in fact murdered — won’t let me. So here is the latest.

Things seemed to be wrapping up with the prosecution last week, but the death of the father of the final witness, anesthesiologist Steven Shafer, has put things on hold until tomorrow. Shafer is expected to give a key piece of evidence to counter the defense’s claim that Jackson self-administered the fatal 25 mg dose of propofol through an IV catheter in his leg. Once Shafer gives his testimony, the defense will present its case and call an estimated 15 witnesses, extending the testimony through Friday at least.

Perhaps the anticipation of Shafer’s evidence is what caused the defense to switch gears last week from proving that Michael took a deadly dose of propofol by himself when Dr. Conrad Murray was out of the room, to alleging that he self-administered an overdose of lorazepam instead. Either way, it’s not like Dr. Murray has a chance in hell with the court of public opinion, particularly after the release of the tape featuring Michael’s slurred speech and his autopsy photos.

It will be interesting to see how this change in strategy affects the defense who claims authorities ignored the effects lorazapam may have had on Michael. But even if Dr. Murray escapes the charge of involuntary manslaughter, his reputation as a medical professional has been tarnished and in the eyes of many he is already seen as being guilty of the events that occurred on June 25, 2009. The trial at this point just seems like a technicality.

Is there a purpose to this trial, when the public sees him as guilty?

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Morning Express with Robin Meade correspondent and In Session Anchor Ryan Smith along with In Session correspondent Beth Karas say it’s possible we could see the prosecution rest this week.

As we enter week three (court was not in session yesterday for Columbus Day) we’re expecting that the trial will pick right back up where it left off… with that fascinating interview police conducted with Dr. Conrad Murray just days after Michael Jackson died.

Also coming up this week and maybe even as early as today, the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on Michael Jackson could take the stand.

An expert on “standard of care” is also on the witness list. He’s an anesthesiologist and pharmacologist and he is the KEY WITNESS for the prosecution when it comes to the science… and we are moving into that phase of the prosecution’s case. Expect to learn a lot about propofol, how the body metabolizes it, etc. Beth says, “It’s going to get very technical, but it’s important.”

Complete courtroom coverage of the Conrad Murray trial airs live on HLN from gavel to gavel. It’s also on In Session on truTV from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET every weekday.

(New York Times) — The trial of Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s personal doctor at the time of his death, has just begun, but there is already an app that — appropriately enough for anything Jackson-related — has gone to No. 1.  The Michael Jackson Doctor Trial app costs 99 cents, has a feed of breaking news alerts, a live video stream from the trial, reports from news correspondents and various other videos.

Read More…

Getty Images

Prosecutors started the Michael Jackson trial with some disturbing evidence: a picture of the King of Pop’s emaciated body lying on a gurney. They used the photo to show that Dr. Conrad Murray, knowingly administered life threatening drugs to the entertainer.

Murray’s attorneys are arguing that Jackson’s death was a result of his own actions.

Ed Chernoff said this in his opening arguments:

“We believe that evidence will show… that when Dr. Murray left the room, Michael Jackson self administered a dose of Propofol that, with the Lorazepam, created a perfect storm within his body that killed him instantly. He died so rapidly, so instantly, he didn’t even have time to close his eyes.”

If convicted of manslaughter Murray could face four years in prison. Source: AM New York

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(CNN) – Jurors will hear opening statements and the first witnesses Tuesday in the trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the pop icon’s death.  But there are several things that Dr. Conrad Murray’s lawyer will not be able to tell jurors.  Murray’s lawyers will not be allowed to show video of Jackson’s March 2009 announcement of his “This Is It” concerts in London, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor ruled Monday.  The video would show jurors “Michael Jackson’s state of mind and demeanor” and support the testimony by his makeup artist that Jackson was furious the number of scheduled shows was increased from the initial 10 to 50, defense lawyer Nareg Gourjian told the judge.

Read More…

By Brittany Hutson and R. Asmerom

It’s certainly been a whirlwind decade for the Black community to say the least. We’ve witnessed history making moments, events that brought to light the struggles that still plague our community, devastating natural disasters, and moments that caused us to scratch our head, raise an eyebrow and think ‘what the…?’ Take a stroll down memory lane with us as we recap some of those moments:

Hurricane Katrina

One of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the U.S., Katrina caused devastation when it hit the Gulf Coast states (from Florida to Texas) in August 2005. New Orleans bore the brunt of the devastation as the category 3 storm with maximum winds near 125 mph caused the levies to break and flood nearly 80% of the city. The nation was in utter shock as images filtered across television screens, on websites and in publications of residents stranded on the roof of flooded homes, or in boats, waiting for help without water or food.

Katrina caused the deaths of at least 1,836 people and caused immense damage—early estimates of total property damage were $81 billion. Over one million people were displaced and sought solace in cities such as Houston, TX, Mobile, Ala, Baton Rouge, La, and Chicago.  Federal, state and local governments were criticized for their mismanagement and delayed response to the storm.