Judge rejects federal plea deal for man who killed Ahmaud Arbery

A federal judge rejected a plea agreement Monday that would have averted a hate crimes trial for the man convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery.

Arbery’s parents denounced the proposed deal for Travis McMichael, with mother Wanda Cooper-Jones and father Marcus Arbery emotionally asking the judge to reject agreements filed for McMichael and his father, Greg McMichael.

In rejecting the deal, U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood said it would have locked her into specific terms — including 30 years in federal prison — at sentencing. Wood said that in this case it would only be appropriate to consider the family’s wishes at sentencing, which the proposed deal wouldn’t allow.

Marcus Arbery told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Brunswick that he’s “mad as hell” over the deal, which lawyer Lee Merritt said could enable Travis and Greg McMichael to spend the first 30 years of their life sentences in federal prison, rather than state prison where conditions are tougher.

“Ahmaud is a kid you cannot replace,” Arbery said. “He was killed racially and we want 100% justice, not no half justice.”

Cooper-Jones described the U.S. Justice Department’s decision to propose the plea deal despite her objections as “disrespectful.”

“I fought so hard to get these guys in the state prison,” she said. “I told them very, very adamantly that I wanted them to go to state prison and do their time. ... Then I got up this morning and found out they had accepted this ridiculous plea.”

The proposed plea agreements were filed with the court late Sunday. There was no mention of a deal with their co-defendant, William “Roddie” Bryan. Federal deals would not affect state murder convictions in Arbery’s killing. All three men were sentenced to life in prison on Jan. 7 after a trial last fall.

[SOURCE: AP]

Cheslie Kryst former Miss USA dies at 30

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst has died.

A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed to Insider that Kryst jumped from a 60-story building in Manhattan, where she was a resident, on Sunday morning.

Kryst, who won the Miss USA title in 2019 while representing North Carolina, was 30 years old.

In a statement Kryst's family said they know the pageant's queen "impact will live on."

"In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie," it read. "Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. She cared, she loved, she laughed, and she shined."

"Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA, and as a host on EXTRA. But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague — we know her impact will live on. As we reflect on our loss, the family asks for privacy at this time."

[SOURCE: INSIDER]

Rep. James Clyburn on what it would mean to have a Black woman on the Supreme Court

Democratic Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina says naming a Black woman like Judge Michelle Childs to the Supreme Court "says to every little child out there growing up in moderate circumstances … you've got just as much of a chance to benefit from the greatness of this country as everybody else."

National Black Farmers Association calls out PepsiCo for failure to keep agreement

John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), is calling out Pepsico after a year and half of all talk and no contract following a verbal commitment to Black farmers.

NBFA raised concerns over the gargantuan company's failure to contract with members of the NBFA to provide agricultural products that form the foundation of their firm's processes. Only White farmers have been afforded the opportunity to share in PepsiCo's enormous profits. It prefers the superficial responses to public opinion such as changing the brand image of its stereotyped figure Aunt Jemima. PepsiCo immediately reached out to the NBFA on June 19th 2020 in the face of such controversy.

However, as PepsiCo indicated they wanted to do business with NBFA members, the company insisted that our growers share personal information through our national data base. A year and a half later, when NBFA growers met all the required elements for a potato delivery contract, the company's executives apparently had lost interest in keeping its part of the bargain.

In an appalling stunt, PepsiCo executives recently notified the President of the NBFA that it would not be moving forward with any contracts for NBFA members.

"PepsiCo had decided to "move in a new direction" that would not include NBFA black farmer members, we were told.

Our outrage at this kind of bullying discrimination is not just about hurt feelings. Our livelihood and financial stability is at stake when we encounter such blatantly low-level business practices. Some black famers have actually lost their farms amid this unethical and inhumane treatment. The NBFA is seeking legal counsel regarding PepsiCo's verbal commitment for a potato contract.

Boyd is calling on PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta to meet with NBFA leaders and respond to the hardship and realities his company's latest recent discriminatory act has caused."

Gayle King signs new deal with CBS

Gayle King signed a new contract with CBS, she said Friday, ending speculation about whether she’d leave her seat on the network’s morning show.

The “CBS Mornings” co-host has agreed to a new contract that will keep her at the Tiffany Network for the foreseeable future, she told listeners on her SiriusXM radio show on Friday.

“I officially signed on the dotted line,” King said. “So I will be with CBS a little bit longer.”

King, who earns an annual salary of $13 million per year, drew interest from potential suitors, including CNN boss Jeff Zucker. Her current contract was due to expire in April. It’s not clear what she’ll make under the new agreement.

[SOURCE: NY POST]