Features
- Created on 14 March 2013
ADW Hosts 'World of Pictures'
The Atlanta Daily World will host its third "World of Pictures" reception on Thursday, March 28, and let guests bid on and take home the work of some of Atlanta's most extraordinary photographers.
"We are thrilled to share the talents of these photographers who have graced the pages of our newspapers for many years," said ADW Publisher M. Alexis Scott. "This is a chance of a lifetime to get a collector's item to adorn your walls."
The evening event at the Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library includes a silent auction of recent and historic pictures and a forum featuring the photographers themselves. Photographers John Glenn, Horace Henry, JiMi!, Sue Ross, Wendell S. Scott, Bud Smith, Rashidah Sudan, Willie E. Tucker Jr. and Brenda J. Turner will share stories and answer questions about some of their favorite shots and thrilling moments.
"We are happy to partner with the Atlanta Daily World to present this exhibit of local photographers to complement our show on the work of the Pittsburgh Courier's renowned Teenie Harris here at the Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library," said AUC Library CEO Loretta Parham.
The Teenie Harris exhibit of 80 images graces the walls of the library through May 24. It is also free to the public and open various hours throughout the week. Visit the library's website at auctr.edu for specific times.
"Our ADW event is just one day," Publisher Scott said, "so you really don't want to miss this unique opportunity."
The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m. and the forum begins at 7 p.m. The silent auction runs until 7:30 p.m. Admission is free but you must make a reservation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 404-761-1114 ext 20. For a closer look at the photographers, see page 12 of this issue.
ADW is powered by Real Times Media, which also owns the New Pittsburgh Courier, The Chicago Defender, Memphis Tri-State Defender and The (Detroit) Michigan Chronicle.
(Photo: George Clinton, leader of the music group Parliament-Funkadelic, by photographer John Glenn will be featured at the Atlanta Daily World “World of Pictures” event March 28.)
- Created on 13 March 2013
New Evidence Introduced in Jordan Davis Murder Case Including Pictures, 911 Calls
New evidence has been introduced in the case of 17-year-old Jordan Davis who was shot and killed by Michael Dunn, including phone calls to 911, Davis' toxicology report and pictures of the crime scene.
Dunn’s attorney told the AJC on Tuesday that the “Stand Your Ground” law will likely factor heavily in his client’s defense. Dunn has been charged with first-degree murder for Davis’ death as well as three counts of attempted murder. The 45-year-old software engineer from South Florida, who remains in a Jacksonville jail, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The shooting reportedly happened following a dispute over Davis’ music being too loud.
Defense attorney Cory Strolla insists Dunn was acting in self-defense, but so far police have not recovered a shotgun the South Florida man said was pointed at him before he allegedly fired at least eight bullets into an SUV filled with four people, hitting Davis twice and killing him.
The latest evidence introduced shows six people called 911 minutes after the Nov. 24 shooting.
"May I please have the ambulance please? Someone has been shot," said one caller.
So far 34 people are listed to testify about the events that took place the night Davis was shot. More than 50 law enforcement personnel will also be called to talk about what they saw at the crime scene that night.
Strolla said the only one of Davis’ friends to call 911 did not ask for police assistance.
“The kid is as cool as a cucumber,” he said. “If someone had shot at you unprovoked wouldn’t you be calling the police?”
Strolla said the gun Dunn claimed was aimed at him was not recovered because the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office “never looked for it.”
Though the names of the callers are redacted, the calls may paint a picture of what happened.
"Who shot him?" asked the dispatcher in another call.
"No, I do not, but please send help right away. We need help," said the caller.
No one mentions Dunn by name, but the call in which his vehicle was spotted is included in the new evidence.
"We had shots fired in the parking lot, the person left, but we did get a license plate," said one caller.
According to sheriff’s deputies, Dunn said he fled the scene with his girlfriend because he feared for his safety. He was arrested the following day. Dunn has no previous criminal history and told deputies he had asked the teens to turn down their music, which prompted a verbal altercation.
Newly released pictures also show the bullet ridden red Durango Jordan Davis was riding in, shell casings littering the ground and a blood stained sweatshirt.
Davis' toxicology report, which came up clean according to First Coast News, was also included in the new evidence. His cause of death is listed as multiple gunshot wounds.
John Phillips, the attorney representing Davis’ family in a civil case told the AJC that there is no proof that anyone in the SUV discarded or hid a shotgun, as the defense has claimed and that does not bode well for Dunn’s prospects.
“In order for [Dunn] to claim self-defense,” Phillips said, “there better have been a gun in that car.”
Davis is buried in Marietta, where he lived part-time with his mother.
- Created on 12 March 2013
Vigil For Kimani Gray, Brooklyn Teen Killed By NYPD, Turns Into Fiery Protest
Brooklyn teens erupted into fiery protest Monday night in response to the murder of 16-year-old Kimani Gray by NYPD officers, reports the Daily Mail.
The 16-year-old boy was hanging out with friends Saturday night when they were approached by undercover officers who allegedly asked him to show his hands. Authorities claim that it
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- Created on 12 March 2013
Aurora Theater Shooting Suspect to Be Arraigned, Could Plead Insanity
(CNN) -- The sanity of James Holmes, the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting suspect, may be a major issue at his arraignment Tuesday.
In court documents, Holmes' attorneys have suggested that they may enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity for the shooting rampage at the theater that left 12 people dead and 58 injured on July 20.
Prosecutors have not said whether they'll pursue the death penalty against Holmes. But an insanity plea could make such a move harder, said David Beller, an attorney who is not connected to the case.
"There are a few reasons they wouldn't go for the death penalty; the most important one being his mental state," Beller said. "The Supreme Court, and really society, has been very clear: We don't execute people who are mentally ill."
The reaction
Family members of some of those who died in the shooting are not happy.
Jessica Watts, whose cousin was killed, said she does not believe Holmes is insane.
"Absolutely not. This was months and months of planning and thousands of dollars spent on his part in order to pull this horrific night off," she said.
Federal agents have said Holmes began buying guns in May 2012, two months before the attack. He allegedly built an arsenal of two Glock handguns, an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun and 6,295 rounds of ammunition.
In addition, authorities contend, the former University of Colorado doctoral student dyed his hair fiery orange and apparently visited the AMC movie theater, taking photographs of hallways and doors, two weeks before the shooting.
The defense
According to the Colorado Bar Association, an insanity defense refers to "a person who is so diseased or defective in mind at the time of the commission of the act as to be incapable of distinguishing right from wrong with respect to that act is not accountable."
If Holmes' enters such a plea, he would waive all medical confidentiality and will have to turn over the name of any doctor or psychologist who may have treated him, according to Colorado law.
"If he enters the not guilty by reason of insanity plea, he's going to be examined by state doctors and any statement he makes to those state doctors are given to the prosecution for potential use later," Beller said.
On Monday, a judge ruled that Holmes will also have to agree to be drugged by doctors to assess his condition if he enters an insanity plea.
Earlier this month, Holmes' lawyers tried to have Colorado's insanity defense laws changed.
The attorneys asked the judge to rule parts of the state's insanity defense laws unconstitutional.
Among other issues, they cited the requirement that a defendant "cooperate" with examining psychiatrists as a violation of the defendant's privilege against compelled self-incrimination.
The charges
Holmes is charged with a total of 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and other charges.
Authorities say he booby-trapped his apartment with explosives, then traveled to the movie theater armed with four weapons, tear gas and body armor planning to kill audience members during a screening of "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises."
Witnesses who have spoken to CNN about the shooting have said the gunman roamed the theater, shooting randomly as people tried to scramble away or cowered between seats.
Among the 41 calls to 911, one stands out. In the 27-second call, at least 30 shots can be heard amid the chaos.
At his preliminary hearing in January, police who responded described hellish scenes inside the theater and described finding Holmes, dressed in body armor, standing outside, seeming "detached from it all," according to Officer Jason Oviatt.
At the conclusion of the brief hearing, the father of one of the victim's shouted out, "Rot in hell, Holmes."
Jim Spellman reported from Colorado; Lateef Mungin wrote from Atlanta.
- Created on 11 March 2013
‘Motown: The Musical’ Prepares To Take Over Broadway
For Berry Gordy, conquering Broadway is the next – and by his own admission, last – major milestone of a magical, musical career.
The 83-year-old Motown Records founder is taking his story and that of his legendary label to the Great White Way.
“Motown: The Musical,” which begins previews on Monday at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, allows Gordy to relive the ups and downs of a career that launched him into the entertainment stratosphere and he’s confident will allow him to leave the stage on a high note.
