A Georgia judge has denied bond for Young Thug, leaving him behind bars until January 9, 2023, the expected date of his trial.
The ruling came on Thursday from Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville after the Atlanta rapper’s team fought for his freedom. Meanwhile, prosecutors argued that the artist, whose birth name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was a threat to the community, claiming that Williams is the leader of a street gang called Young Slime Life.
On May 10, Williams, 30, was among 28 individuals, including fellow Atlanta rapper Gunna, born Sergio Kitchens, included in a 56-count grand jury indictment. The counts include conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, murder, armed robbery, and participation in criminal street gang activity. A few days later, Young Thug was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of firearm during commission of a felony.
(WASHINGTON) — More than 110 days after Justice Samuel Alito authored a first draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, Supreme Court deliberations over a final ruling have entered a critical phase, four weeks before the justices recess for summer and as an internal probe into a leak of the draft intensifies.
A decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health — the Mississippi case challenging Roe — could come as soon as Monday, but most veteran court watchers expect an opinion rolling back constitutional protection for abortion rights will likely be released in late June.
The unprecedented publication of Alito’s leaked draft last month upended the court’s traditional workflow, an iterative process marked by frank and private exchanges of ideas between justices over the course of months.
“What happened at the court is tremendously bad,” Justice Clarence Thomas said this month of the leak’s impact on court dynamics. “You begin to look over your shoulder. It’s kind of an infidelity.”
Several former Supreme Court clerks, once intimately involved in the opinion drafting process, told ABC News the Dobbs majority opinion — and related concurring and dissenting opinions — are all likely in the midst of tense and frenzied rounds of revision.
“The more everyone else’s temperature goes up, the more Chief Justice Roberts insists on business as usual — even when the building is on fire,” said Sarah Isgur, an ABC News legal analyst. “What that means for Dobbs is not clear at this point.”
How the opinion drafting process works
On Dec. 3, two days after oral arguments in the abortion rights case, the justices met for their scheduled weekly conference when preliminary votes are taken on cases heard that week. Each was asked to weigh in on the central question posed in Dobbs: “Whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.”
Five conservative justices — with the exception of Chief Justice Roberts — voted ‘no’ at that time, according to the leaked first draft opinion. Justice Thomas, who as the most senior among them had responsibility to assign the majority author, assigned Justice Alito to put their views into writing.
More than two months later, according to the time stamp on the leaked draft, Alito shared with his colleagues a 67-page majority opinion. Legal experts have characterized the document, dated Feb. 10, as an opening bid in the opinion writing process, as it does not reflect any input from dissenting justices and may not reflect input from other justices on Alito’s side of the case, legal experts point out.
Over the past three and a half months, the justices have likely been providing feedback to Alito in the form of electronic and paper memos between chambers, former clerks said. Only around 80 people — the justices, clerks and administrative staff — have access to draft opinions and dissents as they circulate, sources say.
“We had two different computer systems — one for internal materials where draft opinions were held, and another for research through one of the online resources,” said Thiru Vignarajah, a former clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer.
It is not clear how many subsequent draft opinions and dissents may have been circulated to date.
Roberts in a May 3 statement on the leaked Alito draft noted, however, that “it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”
Revising opinions, changing votes
The Supreme Court says some opinions may be revised a dozen or more times before publication, sometimes including a dramatic shift in vote alignment on the outcome of a case.
“It is a common experience that dissents change votes, even enough votes to become the majority,” the late Justice William Brennan once said, according to the Supreme Court Historical Society.
Roberts famously changed his position several times behind the scenes in 2012 during the first major challenge to the Affordable Care Act. After initially voting to strike down the heart of the law — the individual insurance mandate — and uphold the law’s expansion of Medicaid, Roberts ultimately flipped on both late in the drafting process, CNN’s Joan Biskupic, the Chief’s biographer, reported at the time. The shift narrowly saved the ACA.
While most legal analysts expect the Court will uphold Mississippi’s 15-week ban on abortions at the center of the Dobbs case — and in turn, rollback nearly 50 years of precedent, as reflected in the Alito draft — the scope of the ruling and its legal rationale could still be in flux behind the scenes.
“There may be people that after they read [Alito’s opinion] say, I don’t really agree with that, or it’s not as strong an argument as I thought, and so they may decide to write separately [in a concurrence],” said Rachel Barkow, vice dean of NYU Law School and a former clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia.
“Sometimes people take an even more extreme position and say, I was wrong. I thought I was going to vote to uphold this law, but I can’t do it, so I’m going to join the dissent, or I’m going to wait and see what the dissent has to say and see which one is better,” Barkow said.
Chief Justice Roberts, who has long signaled opposition to Roe and its reasoning, notably did not join the majority in the initial vote on Dobbs and has reportedly been lobbying fellow conservatives to join him in taking a narrower approach than the one advanced by Alito.
Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer have all previously supported constitutional protection of a woman’s right to end a pregnancy before a fetus is considered viable outside the womb, around 24 weeks. They are certain to author a vigorous dissent.
Barkow said draft dissenting opinions will likely seek to pressure the majority justices by calling out alleged inconsistencies, flawed reasoning, and overlooked impacts of their decision.
“Each side goes back and forth until everybody feels like they’re ready to release the decisions. That’s why we wait so long,” Barkow said. “The justices are usually very respectful of each other in terms of hearing the feedback, giving the other side time to respond to the extent they want to, and it’s only when everyone agrees that an opinion is ready to go out.”
Publication and release of opinions
Complicating the process in major cases is the likelihood that each justice will want to write an individual opinion — concurring or dissenting — to emphasize a special point. Those drafts are circulated along with the majority opinion and primary dissent and can evolve over time.
The Dobbs decision is also overshadowed by an ongoing internal investigation into how a first draft of the Alito opinion was leaked to Politico. The probe, ordered by Chief Justice Roberts and led by Court Marshal Army Col. Gail Curley, has strained relations inside the court and exacerbated divisions around one of the most contentious cases in years, several justices and court insiders have said publicly.
When all revisions are complete, traditionally before the end of the court’s term on June 30, a master proof of the opinions is sent to the Court’s Reporter of Decisions for final processing before release.
The Reporter writes a summary of the ruling — called a “syllabus” — and copy edits the text of the opinions before having physical copies of the case documents printed, a step that can take several additional days after a decision is technically finalized.
Prior to the pandemic, the justices would announce decisions in-person from the Supreme Court bench. Today, the releases happen electronically on the court’s website not long after physical printing is complete. It is not publicly known in advance which cases will be decided on a designated opinion release day.
The 18-track set includes the previously released single “Bones,” as well as “Ferris Wheel,” “Peace of Mind” and “I Don’t Like Myself.”
As its name suggests, Mercury — Act 2 is the companion follow-up to last September’s Mercury — Act 1, which features the singles “Follow You” and “Wrecked,” as well as the hit JID collaboration “Enemy.”
Mercury — Act 2 will be released in a package alongside Mercury — Act 1 on July 1.
Imagine Dragons is currently on tour in Europe in support of both Mercuries. They’ll launch a U.S. tour in August.
Here’s the Mercury — Act 2 track list:
“Bones”
“Symphony”
“Sharks”
“I Don’t Like Myself”
“Blur”
“Higher Ground”
“Crushed”
“Take It Easy”
“Waves”
“I’m Happy”
“Ferris Wheel”
“Peace of Mind”
“Sirens”
“Tied”
“Younger”
“I Wish” (Bonus track)
“Continual” feat. Cory Henry
“They Don’t Know You Like I Do”
(JOURDANTON, Texas) — A Texas inmate suspected of murdering five people after he escaped from a prison bus was killed by authorities on Thursday, officials said.
A massive manhunt was underway for 46-year-old Gonzalo Lopez when an adult and four children were found dead Thursday evening inside a residence in Leon County in east-central Texas, near where the inmate had escaped three weeks prior. Lopez was believed to have broken into the home and committed the murders, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Authorities said at the time that Lopez may have stolen clothes, firearms and a 1999 white Chevrolet Silverado from the residence.
The house was believed to be a weekend home for the victims, whose primary residence was in Houston. Authorities said the family had been seen Thursday morning and were found murdered around 6 p.m. local time, after an individual contacted law enforcement because they had not heard from an elderly relative inside the home and were concerned. Authorities had initially said that two adults and three children were discovered dead there.
“We will not rest until Gonzalo Lopez is in custody,” Jason Clark, chief of staff for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said at a press conference Thursday evening.
Later that night, deputies from the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office spotted the stolen pickup truck that Lopez was believed to be driving and followed it. They laid out spike strips that flattened all four tires of the vehicle on a street in Jourdanton, just south of San Antonio and some 250 miles southwest of Leon County. The suspect then pointed a rifle out of the window and fired several shots at the deputies, who returned fire, according to authorities.
The suspect was killed in the shootout and was confirmed to be Lopez, who authorities said was armed with an AR-15 and a pistol.
“We received additional information from the U.S. Marshals Service that he may be in the San Antonio area. So then we heightened our alert and, sure enough, we spotted him,” Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward said at a press conference Thursday night. “This dangerous individual is off the street and no officers were injured.”
Reward grows to $50,000 for arrest of escaped inmate serving life for murder
Lopez, who was serving a life sentence for a capital murder in Hidalgo County and an attempted capital murder in Webb County, managed to break free from his shackles, overpower a bus driver and escape from custody near Centerville on May 12, while being transported from Gatesville to Huntsville for a medical appointment. He was added to Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List and a $50,000 reward was issued for his capture.
Authorities had said Lopez was allegedly affiliated with the Mexican Mafia.
ABC News’ Meredith Deliso, Marilyn Heck, Emily Shapiro, Flor Tolentino and Jennifer Watts contributed to this story.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit 3, Minnesota 2
NY Yankees 6, LA Angels 1
NY Yankees 2, LA Angels 1
Tampa Bay 3, Texas 1
Toronto 8, Chi White Sox 3
Seattle 7, Baltimore 6
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Miami 3, San Francisco 0
Cincinnati 8 Washington 1
Milwaukee 5, San Diego 4
Chi Cubs 7, St. Louis 5
Atlanta 13, Colorado 6
LA Dodgers 2 NY Mets 0
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Boston 120, Golden State 108 (Boston leads 1-0)
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Colorado 4, Edmonton 0 (Colorado leads 2-0)
WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Connecticut 97, Las Vegas 90
Fans already know that Gwen Stefani’s going all-out on her garden this year — both on social media and in interviews, the pop superstar’s been gushing about her outdoor plans for the Oklahoma ranch where she lives with her country star husband, Blake Shelton.
But all that hard work isn’t a solo project: Blake’s busy helping Gwen make those gardening dreams a reality, he tells People.
“Gwen is absolutely into it. It’s flower planting time,” the singer says. “And Gwen doesn’t settle for those little areas around the sidewalk. We’re talking about fields, acres of flowers. So I have my work cut out for me.”
But it’s a labor of love for the couple, who are still smitten as ever as they approach their one-year wedding anniversary next month.
“I wish everybody could have a chance to meet and talk to Gwen Stefani at some point in their life because you’ll just be a better person for it, is the only way I know to say it,” Blake continues. “She’s just a magical person to be around.”
Blake and Gwen tied the knot on July 3, 2021 after dating for several years. They first met as coaches on the set of NBC’s The Voice.
That Latino superhero comedy Ultra Violet & Black Scorpionarrives Friday on Disney Channel and fans can expect to see some intense stunts.
Scarlett Estevez stars as Violet Rodriguez, a new hero who goes by the moniker Ultra Violet. She tells ABC Audio, “We were training a lot!”
Adds J.R. Villarreal, who plays Black Scorpion, “It was so fun. They definitely trained us enough to make us feel like we could really be superheroes.”
The show follows Violet, who is chosen by a magical luchador mask that transforms her into Ultra Violet. She sets out on a quest to become a famous hero and seeks the vigilante Black Scorpion to train her. She soon learns Black Scorpion is none other than her uncle Cruz de la Vega.
Aside from fighting crime, the two said an important pillar of their series is family. Estevez adds the theme makes the series “really special and really amazing.” She notes, “Besides comedy and action, there’s lots of love and lots of family … It grounds the show and it brings it to this real aspect where people can really relate to it on a different level.”
Villarreal agrees the relationships their characters form with their family, their friends and their culture is “the heart of the show,” which he believes “is what’s really going to surprise people.”
So, what would they do if a magical luchador mask chose them to be the next superpowered crime fighters? Estevez says, “I think I would be a little freaked out and leave [the mask] in the corner for a little bit.”
“I might … just go full method and just use the superhuman strength,” Villarreal jokes, adding he’d probably join the NFL or become a luchador.
Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion premieres June 3 on Disney Channel.
Triumph’s Mike Levine, Rik Emmett and Gil Moore in 2019; George Pimentel/Getty Images
Mike Levine, bassist for the Canadian power trio Triumph, says a tribute album celebrating his band’s music is being overseen by producer Mike Clink, best known for his work on most of Guns N’ Roses‘ albums.
Levine tells ABC Audio that Clink, who also produced Triumph’s 1986 album Sport of Kings, is working on the project in Los Angeles, and that it’s “close to being finished.”
“[The album] got delayed like everything else during COVID because nobody wanted to go to the studio, but everybody seems to want to play again,” Mike notes. “So he’s getting near the finish line with it. So we’re hoping to see that early next year.”
Levine reveals that among the guest artists who have contributed to the record are Starship singer Mickey Thomas and ex-Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach.
Levine says he thinks Thomas “is one of the greatest singers in rock ‘n’ roll,” while Bach is a huge Triumph fan who discussed his love of the band in the 2021 documentary Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine. Bach also briefly toured with Triumph in 1993 just before the band broke up that year.
Mike says with a laugh that Sebastian “wanted to sing every song, and we [told him], ‘No, you can’t do that.'”
Levine reports that a number of “top-draw players” also have contributed to the album, including longtime John Fogerty touring drummer Kenny Aronoff and Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X. Phil played with Triumph in 1992 and ’93 after founding singer/guitarist Rik Emmett left the band.
Triumph hasn’t played together since a surprise reunion at a special 2019 fan event, as documented in Rock & Roll Machine, although the trio of Levine, Emmett and singer/drummer Gil Moore have participated in a number of events promoting the film.
Strip culture is oftentimes viewed as taboo in America, and while some of the entertainment industry’s most celebrated celebrities — like Cardi B, NeNe Leakes and Lady Gaga — trace their beginnings to a strip club, exotic dancing is frowned upon by many. Katori Hall, creator of the hit strip-based series P-Valley, says she didn’t think twice about showcasing strip culture on the big screen.
Ahead of the season 2 premiere on June 3, Hall spoke to ABC Audio about her “humanizing project” that’s been in the works for over a decade. “I never had any reservations,” she said. “I think because I knew that these women were just like me, were just like you. They have struggles, they have dreams.”
Hall said the history of hypersexualization of Black women cemented her desire to create an in-depth story and put forth a “nuanced portrayal of why women go into sex work.”
“These women are doing a type of work that, yes, a lot of people denigrate, but it is work,” she said. “I just really wanted people to understand that there’s a world that has created the reason as to why a lot of women step into this lane.”
Hall said she’s never felt pressure working on the record-breaking Starz show, instead she feels blessed to produce groundbreaking work.
The cast members — Brandee Evans, Nicco Annan, Parker Sawyers, Elarica Johnson, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Shannon Thornton — who, like Hall, have waited almost two years for the return, say they’re excited for fans, aka the “Pynk Posse,” to finally get what they’ve been asking for.
As for what to expect on season 2 of P-Valley, debuting on Starz at 9 p.m., Hall says, “You better get your glue ‘cus these edges about to get snatched baby!”
Taylor Swift’s not touring, but you want to dance and scream along to her songs at the top of your lungs with all your friends. What to do? Hit up the Taylor Party, a traveling Taylor Swift-themed dance party that’s probably coming to a city near you this summer.
At the Taylor Party, fans dress up as Taylor, take photos in front of a giant Taylor Swift red carpet-type setup and dance and sing as a DJ plays her music and a giant screen shows clips from her videos. There are also Taylor-themed balloons that say, “We’re too busy dancin.'”
As Vox reports, the Taylor Party was started by nightlife producers Brian Howe, Josh Bakaitus and Steve Soboslai in December of 2021. Howe and Bakaitus were trying to come up with a concept for a themed party, and it just so happened that Bakaitus had been listening to Taylor a lot. As Howe tells Vox, “He wanted a place where he could hang out and listen to the songs.”
Tickets for the first event sold out, so they planned a second one. More than 50 Taylor parties have been held so far.
“An interesting comparison would be to a Comic Con or a Star Wars convention,” Howe tells Vox. “A bunch of people in a room that love one thing, and want to be around other like-minded people without the pressures of the outside world for a limited amount of time.”
According to Vox, the most-requested song at the Taylor Party is — of course — the 10-minute version of “All Too Well.”
This weekend the party visits Austin, TX and Atlantic City, NJ. For upcoming shows and tickets, visit TaylorSwiftNight.com. By the way, it isn’t affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, sponsored by, or in any way officially connected with Taylor Swift.
