Celebrity Arrests

"[...] bands like the Beatles the Kinks knew all about the Taxman and now Wu-Tang Clan star Method Man is learning his own lesson about Uncle Sam’s..."

Rap Icon Facing Four Years In Prison | Music Vixen Blog

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Tax Relief Music with Beatles, Kinks, Johnny Cash and More

Published April 15th, 2009 by Karen

“Taxman’s taken all my dough…”

The saying goes that the only certainties in life are death and taxes, and while we certainly hope that everyone makes it through the day, we also hope everyone remembered to file their taxes.

Tax day is a drag, but it has inspired some great songs, including the Kinks classic “Sunny Afternoon” (above) and the Beatles’ “Taxman” (featured in a fun animated video below).

Of course, plenty of stars have had problems with the tax man over the years. Keep reading for the scoop on some well-known tax-evaders, and let us know what songs to add to our playlist of topical tunes (so far, we’ve got Johnny Cash, Relient K, Cheap Trick-who should we add?). Continue reading »

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Phil Spector Convicted, Faces 18 to Life in Prison

Published April 14th, 2009 by Wendy

Long Live Rock & Roll, not quite as mad as Phil Spector

photo credit: dullhunk

In his second trial for the shooting death of B-actress Lana Clarkson legendary record producer Phil Spector yesterday was found guilty of second degree murder, according to an Associated Press report.

The prosecution’s most valuable witness during the trial was Spector’s own chauffer who testified that he heard a gunshot, then saw Spector emerge holding a gun and heard him say: “I think I killed somebody.” Continue reading »

"[...] Rap/Hip-Hop Stage Names and Aliases Quiz: Do You Know The Real Names of these Rap Stars? Crime: Phil Spector Found Guilty in Murder Trial MusicVixen..."

Murder: Lousiana Rapper Gets Life in Prison | Music Vixen Blog

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Phil Spector Found Guilty of Murder in Lana Clarkson Case

Published April 13th, 2009 by Karen

Known for his flamboyant wigs and sometimes volatile personality, record producer Phil Spector became a music icon in the ’60s and beyond thanks to his wall of sound recording techniques and his work with groups like the Ronettes, the Crystals and the Righteous Brothers. He later went on to work with artists as diversere as Leonard Cohen and the Ramones.

However, for a new generation of music fans Spector may simply be known as a killer.

In 2007, Spector’s first murder trial ended in a hung jury, but on Monday a jury returned with a verdict after 15 days of deliberating. In a California courtroom 69-year-old Spector was found guilty of second degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson.

A particularly brutal crime, Clarkson was reportedly killed by a gunshot fired into her mouth.

Spector’s prison term will be determined at his May sentencing. Spector is currently married to his fourth wife, Rachelle, 41 years his junior. Continue reading »

"what up so you sayin he is guilty or not"

Stacey

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Chris Brown “Not Guilty” Plea Entered. Up to 9 Years, if Convicted.

Published April 7th, 2009 by Karen

photo credit: joeltelling

By now, we’ve all seen the photos of Rihanna’s cut and bruised face, and Chris Brown even issued a half-hearted apology for the “events that transpired,” but yesterday in an L.A. courtroom the “Kiss Kiss” singer pleaded not guilty to the felonies facing him.

If convicted of the charges against him, assault by means likely to create great bodily injury and a felony charge of making a criminal threat, Brown could reportedly face up to nine years in prison.

Despite media reports that have basically already convicted him, Brown is innocent until proven guilty, and the hearing will get under way soon (unless Brown’s lawyers work out a plea deal). Brown is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on April 29.

We’ve received some interesting comments on Chris Brown stories in the past, including comments from readers that think Brown should be left alone simply because he was “man enough” to apologize (sort of).

We think that’s pretty terrifying.

Rihanna was not in court for the session, but Continue reading »

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Britney Spears’ Roadies Arrested

Published March 28th, 2009 by Wendy

photo credit: cliff1066

Two roadies for Britney Spears’ current tour were arrested Thursday night in Pittsburgh for assaulting officers who were trying to break up a fight, according to an Associated Press report.

According to the AP, Rockey Lee Dickey Jr., 34, of Manhattan Beach, California, was hitting another man on a city sidewalk when a patrol car drove by at around 1 a.m. Dickey swung at one of the officers who intervened, knocking off his hat, and had to be subdued with a Taser. The other roadie, Alex Montes, 23, of Valencia, California, put one of the officers in a headlock.

Both men were being held in jail on assault and public drunkenness charges, while the alleged victim, a 30 year-old Pittsburg man, was treated for facial injuries at a local hospital.

Britney Spears released the following statement on her Web site: “The two individuals have since been dismissed by their employer. The … tour does not support or tolerate this type of behavior”

"I don't know about JT, but he's dead and gone to me. (har har) Career wise, that depends...do they have vocoders in jail?"

Jason

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Will Justin Timberlake Visit T.I. in Prison?

Published March 27th, 2009 by Karen

photo credit: allygirl520

The hip-hop charts and clubs might be missing one of their favorite stars for a while: On Friday an Atlanta judge sentenced rapper T.I. to a year (and a day) behind bars.

Harris could have faced as much as 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but T.I. fans should be happy to learn that he got off a bit easier after entering a guilty plea in March.

AP reports that the rapper, also known as Clifford Harris, was charged with attempting to buy illegal machine guns and silencers. His headline-making arrest occurred just hours before he was scheduled to appear at the BET Awards. Continue reading »

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Will Kanye Be Chris Brown’s Cellmate? Yeah, Maybe.

Published March 20th, 2009 by Karen

photo credit: ialex16

The talentless “Heartless” singer, um, lip-syncher, might be headed to jail. Kanye West has just been charged with three misdemeanors after smashing a paparazzo’s camera at LAX last September.

West will face charges of vandalism, grand theft and battery at his April 14 arraignment. His bodyguard is facing six charges related to the incident.

The case against the pair seems pretty solid: the whole incident was apparently caught on video by a TMZ cameraman.

If West is convicted, he could serve two and half years in jail. That means we won’t have to hear his big mouth for two years! Of course, he’ll probably release some awful concept album with Chris Brown when he gets released. (Maybe they can collaborate behind bars?) Continue reading »

"Good! That waste of skin has been jamming guns in people's faces for years. Let him rot in prison."

Robin R.

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Defense Rests In Phil Spector Murder Trial

Published March 13th, 2009 by Wendy

Phil Spector’s defense attorney rested his case yesterday in the music producer’s murder retrial involving the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson, according to a report on Billboard.com

Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler offered Spector the opportunity to testify, but he declined to take the stand in his own defense. Attorney Doron Weinberg ended his case with testimony from forensic psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, an expert in memory and witness testimony. Her opinions were used to raise doubts about the testimony of the prosecution’s star witness, a chauffeur who said he heard Spector say he thought he had killed somebody.

Spector, a legendary music producer known for his eccentricity, is accused of murdering B-movie star Lana Clarkson in his Hollywood mansion in 2003. Clarkson died of a gunshot fired into her mouth. The defense has contended Clarkson was suicidal and killed herself. The prosecution maintains that Spector killed her.

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Coachella 2009 Lineup Change: Amy Winehouse Cancels, Again.

Published March 9th, 2009 by Karen

At this point, it is almost impossible to be surprised by news that Amy Winehouse has cancelled another show. The British disaster is tangled up in a new round of legal problems, this time in connection to charges that she assaulted a fan at a party in September.

C’mon Amy, you’re supposed to attack critics, not fans.

Can’t this girl do anything right?

Winehouse had been scheduled to appear at April’s Coachella music festival in California along with big-name acts such as Paul McCartney, the Cure, Morrissey, the Killers, Leonard Cohen, Franz Ferdinand, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and My Bloody Valentine.

Although her representatives have not confirmed details of Winehouse’s cancellation, it is likely that she has been denied a US work visa due to her looming legal problems. The 25-year-old singer is due to appear in court March 17.

We’re pretty sure that nobody was going to Coachella just to see Winehouse’s scary skeleton wobble around the stage in high-heels and a higher wig anyway. It has been so long since the singer has actually made music, we’re not sure anybody even cares anymore.

Complete Coachella 2009 lineup and ticket info, here.

"h3ll y3a!!!. chris brown should not hav3 2 spend 4 y3ars in prison 4 a mistak3. th3 b3st thing ev3rybody can do l3av3 it th3 h3ll alon3!!!"

D3jona3

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Chris Brown Faces Four Years in Prison. Too Harsh?

Published March 5th, 2009 by Karen

Just shy of a month after the shocking story of Chris Brown’s allegedly brutal assault on girlfriend Rihanna was first reported, charges have officially been announced in the case.

At Brown’s arraignment in California on Thursday, the singer will be charged with two felonies, including assault and making criminal threats.

If convicted, Brown’s sentence could range from mere probation to over four and half years in a state prison.

Of course, anyone who has seen the photos of Rihanna’s injuries that were leaked online might wonder if four years in prison is enough.

Neither Brown nor Rihanna have commented publicly on the charges which were first reported earlier today.

News about the couple heated up once again this week, as photos of the duo leaving a private jet together surfaced. They had reportedly been spending time reconciling at a Florida home owned by Sean Combs.

In a video clip posted online earlier this week, R&B star Usher spoke out against Brown’s seemingly unremorseful behavior, commenting on Brown’s lack of a proper apology and recent photos of the troubled star jet-skiing in Florida.

However, Usher quickly backed off of his criticism.

Brown is currently free on $50,000 bail.

Is a four-year sentence too harsh? Not harsh enough?

Tell us what you think!