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Prosecutor not charging Ferguson officer who killed Michael Brown

• No Comments • National News

Marilyn Nieves/iStockBy MEREDITH DELISO, ABC News

(SAINT LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.) — The former police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown six years ago in Ferguson, Missouri, will not be criminally charged, the St. Louis County prosecutor said Thursday.

“This is one of the most difficult things I have had to do as an elected official,” Wesley Bell said at a press conference announcing the findings of an independent, five-month review.

After examining thousands of pages of witness statements, forensic reports and other evidence, Bell said his office was unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Darren Wilson committed murder or manslaughter under Missouri law when he shot and killed Brown.

Bell, who was elected St. Louis County’s first Black prosecutor in 2018, said the investigation does not exonerate Wilson.

“The question of whether we can prove a case at trial is different than clearing him of any and all wrongdoing,” Bell said. “There’s so many points at which Darren Wilson could have handled the case differently, and if he had, Michael Brown might still be alive. But that is not the question before us. The only question is whether we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime occurred, and the answer to that is no.”

Brown, a Black teenager, was unarmed when Wilson, a white police officer, shot and killed him on Aug. 9, 2014. The incident sparked national protests over police brutality and marked the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Bell’s predecessor, Bob McCulloch, turned the case over to a grand jury which declined to indict Wilson in November 2014. Wilson also resigned that month.

The U.S. Justice Department declined to prosecute the former officer in March 2015, citing evidence and witnesses supporting Wilson’s claims that Brown attacked him.

Brown’s family was paid $1.5 million in a 2017 settlement after they sued the city of Ferguson.

Brown’s name has been among those invoked in the recent nationwide protests against police brutality following the death of George Floyd in May while in the custody of Minneapolis police.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

"I am committed to ensuring this doesn't happen again": Ellen DeGeneres writes staff after abuse allegations

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Photo by FOX via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — While WarnerMedia completes an investigation into the accusations, Ellen DeGeneres wrote a letter to her staff regarding abuse allegations some of her self-titled show’s staff vented to Buzzfeed earlier this month. 

The Hollywood Reporter obtained the letter, in which DeGeneres apologizes to her staff.

While several high-ranking producers on the show were named in the complaints, Ellen herself was not. That doesn’t absolve her, she seems to say, since the show bears her name.

“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done,” she wrote. “Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”

The industry trade notes that heads will likely roll from the accusations of racial comments, bullying, and other elements that led to a toxic work environment for some. Executive producer Ed Glavin is one named by a source at the show, who noted, “Once he’s out, it will be like a new day.”  

Glavin and fellow executive producers Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, had apologized after the Buzzfeed piece broke, noting in part, “We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us.”

For her part, DeGeneres’ apology letter to her crew said, “As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded.”

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

"I write, I write, I write" — Matthew McConaughey penned a memoir

• No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Nicole Wilder(TEXAS) — Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey is now an author. 

In a message to his social media followers, the actor and part-time college professor revealed the book is called Greenlights. 

“Ever since I learned to write, I’ve been keeping a journal, writing down anything that turned me on, turned me off, made me laugh, made me cry, made me question, or kept me up at night,” the actor explained.

“Two years ago, I worked up the courage to take all of those journals off into solitary confinement just to see what the hell I had, and I returned with a book.”

“Yesss,” McConaughey drawls in celebration, holding up a copy.

His opus seems to be part self-help, as well, but if anything, it’s beachy, not preachy. McConaughey notes of Greenlight‘s title, “It’s the story about how I have — and we all can — catch more of them in this life we’re livin’. You see, we don’t like the red and yellow lights because they take up our time, right?” he asks rhetorically.

“But when we realize that they all eventually turn green, that’s when they reveal their rhyme. That’s when life’s a poem and we start getting what we want and what we need at the same time. And I call that the honey hole, a little place called Heaven on earth.”

McConaughey says the book goes on sale October 20, but is available for pre-order now.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

'I May Destroy You' star Paapa Essiedu jokes he's relieved to see positive reviews after wondering if series was "good"

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Courtesy of HBO(NEW YORK) — U.K. star Paapa Essiedu can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that he knows fans are loving every moment of his new HBO drama series I May Destroy You.

The new series centers on the show’s creator, Michaela Coel, as Arabella, a Twitter star-turned-novelist who discovers she’s been sexually assaulted after a night out with friends. It also follows Essiedu as Kwame, Bella’s best friend who survives his own sexual assault during a one-night encounter.

Essiedu tells ABC Audio that he’s elated people have embraced the show, which brings attention to how men and women are often treated differently when it comes to sexual assault.

“I mean, obviously, it feels amazing, like we never knew what the show was going to even be like, you know,” he says. “It’s not the most conventional show, especially when you’re making it. You’re kind of like, ‘Is this good?’ It’s just like, ‘Does this work, right?’ All of us were like that. [Coel] included.”

With the season now headed towards its end, Essiedu says it’s really been “thrilling to see it all come together.”

“And for that to happen in like, a joyful, but brilliant way,” he adds.

But, even more than the favorable reviews, the actor admits that having fans connect with his character’s story and struggles gives him the most joy.

“It’s… great to see that people are responding to it, because it means that the questions that we’re asking, or the provocations that we’re making with it are really hitting home,” he says. “And… that’s all we could really hope for.” 

I May Destroy You airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Country Music Hall of Fame extends COVID-19 closure through August

• No Comments • Country Music News

Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumAs COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Tennessee and across the U.S., the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that its galleries will remain closed to the public through August 31.

“The museum’s top priority is the health and safety of our guests and staff,” says CEO Kyle Young. “…We look forward to the day when guests from all over the world can explore our galleries again, but the continued increase of COVID-19 cases throughout the nation causes us to feel that it wise to remain closed at present, to protect employees and visitors.”

The Hall of Fame first closed its doors in mid-March, when the threat of the virus’ spread began canceling tours and in-person events throughout the country industry and beyond. Earlier this summer, the venue also canceled its regular course of summer in-person events, including screenings, summer camps, family programming and its internship program.

However, the museum maintains a variety of virtual experiences for country fans to enjoy remotely. These include the Hall of Fame’s podcast, Voices in the Hall, as well as its virtual “Songwriter Sessions” series and a number of online family programming options.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.