Summoning memories of his brother the slain president, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy led two generations of the First Family of Democratic politics Monday in endorsing Barack Obama for the White House, declaring, "I feel change is in the air." Obama is a man of rare "grit and grace," Kennedy said in remarks salted with scarcely veiled criticism of the Illinois senator's chief rival for the presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as her husband, the former president.
Obama beamed as first Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, then Caroline Kennedy and finally the country's best known liberal took turns bestowing their praise. "Today isn't just about politics for me. It's personal," Obama told a boisterous crowd packed into the American University basketball arena a few miles across town from the White House. It was also about politics, though, and a rapidly approaching set of primaries and caucuses across more than 20 states on Feb. 5, with more than 1,600 national convention delegates at stake.
Kennedy's endorsement was ardently sought by all three of the remaining Democratic presidential contenders, and he delivered it at a pivotal time in the race. A liberal lion in his fifth decade in the Senate, the Massachusetts senator is in a position to help Obama court voting groups who so far have tilted Clinton's way. These include Hispanics, rank-and-file union workers and lower-income, older voters. Kennedy is expected to campaign actively for Obama beginning later this week, beginning in Arizona, New Mexico and California. Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of John Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963, will also make campaign appearances, officials said.
David Axelrod, a senior Obama adviser, said strategists also hope Kennedy can help blunt Clinton's charges that Obama's health plan would not provide coverage for all. "I don't think anybody believes that Ted Kennedy would endorse a candidate who wasn't thoroughly committed to the goal of universal health care," he said. Clinton betrayed no disappointment at her rival's gain. "We're all proud of the people we have endorsing us," she said in a conference call with Arizona reporters. Addressing Kennedy's criticism of politicians who pit groups against one another, she said she was "strongly in favor of getting to where our politics can be about the real issues, trying to find common ground."
So strong is the Kennedy family's hold on some Democrats that as word spread on Sunday about the elder Kennedy's plans, Clinton announced that she had the backing of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. A daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Townsend lost the gubernatorial election in Maryland five years ago.
By David Espo
Source: Associated Press
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Felony Charges Filed Against Lil Wayne
The Yuma County Attorney's Office filed felony drug and weapons charges Friday against Lil Wayne. The 25-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was charged in justice court in Wellton, Ariz., with one count each of possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He is scheduled to appear Feb. 12 at a preliminary hearing. Carter was in court, where a judge lifted a bail restriction prohibiting him from leaving the state.
He was arrested after his tour bus was stopped in southern Arizona late Tuesday and is free on bail. His lawyer wasn't immediately available for comment. Carter's bus was stopped at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Dateland, Ariz., 78 miles east of Yuma. He was traveling with 11 other people. Ramona Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, said earlier that a Border Patrol canine unit alerted agents to the presence of illegal drugs on the bus.
A search of the bus yielded nearly 4 ounces of marijuana, just over an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of ecstasy and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia. Officials also found a .40-caliber pistol registered to Carter, who has a concealed weapons permit in Florida.
In October, Carter and several other rappers were named in a federal lawsuit filed by music publishing companies, accusing them of sampling other artists' songs without paying licensing fees. Birdman and Lil Wayne won a viewers' choice award for their song "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" at Black Entertainment Television's 2007 Hip-Hop Awards.
Source: Google News
He was arrested after his tour bus was stopped in southern Arizona late Tuesday and is free on bail. His lawyer wasn't immediately available for comment. Carter's bus was stopped at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Dateland, Ariz., 78 miles east of Yuma. He was traveling with 11 other people. Ramona Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, said earlier that a Border Patrol canine unit alerted agents to the presence of illegal drugs on the bus.
A search of the bus yielded nearly 4 ounces of marijuana, just over an ounce of cocaine, 41 grams of ecstasy and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia. Officials also found a .40-caliber pistol registered to Carter, who has a concealed weapons permit in Florida.
In October, Carter and several other rappers were named in a federal lawsuit filed by music publishing companies, accusing them of sampling other artists' songs without paying licensing fees. Birdman and Lil Wayne won a viewers' choice award for their song "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" at Black Entertainment Television's 2007 Hip-Hop Awards.
Source: Google News
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Oprah Winfrey's 'The Color Purple,' will close
After playing 30 preview performances and 910 regular performances at the Broadway Theatre, the producers announced the shuttering this morning.According to a production rep, the show recouped its entire $11 million investment in its first year on Broadway, having grossed over $103,000,000.
"From the day I first approached Alice Walker to turn her beloved book into a musical, and down every magical road I have traveled, my journey with 'The Color Purple' has always been unbelievably rewarding artistically, professionally and spiritually," said lead producer Scott Sanders. "It is a tribute to Alice Walker's American masterpiece that it continues to be both socially and politically relevant...more than relevant...crucial to the American story.
I am extremely proud of this new musical we have brought to life, its creative success and the way in which we have been able to expand the Broadway audience in a culturally significant way," Sanders continued.The show currently stars Chaka Khan as Sofia, BeBe Winans as Harpo, LaKisha Jones as the Church Soloist at all evening performances and Sofia at all matinee performances, Montego Glover as Nettie, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mister, Krisha Marcano as Squeak and Zonya Love as Celie.
Also featured in the cast of 37 are Leilani N. Bryant, Teresa Stanley, Yolanda Wyns, Larry Marshall, Deidra H. Brooks, Eric L. Christian, Latrisa A. Coleman, Ruby E. Crawford, Bobby Daye, Doug Eskew, Lavon Fisher-Wilson, Charles Gray, Gavin Gregory, Stephanie Guiland-Brown, James Harkness, Francesca Harper, Chauncey Jenkins, Ashley Reneé Jordan, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Kenya Unique Massey, Marla McReynolds, Jenny Mollet, JC Montgomery, Angela Robinson, Levensky Smith, Ricky Smith and Jamal Story.
The national tour, currently playing in Los Angeles, stars LaToya London of 'American Idol,' Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams and original workshop and Broadway stars Jeannette Bayardelle and Felicia P. Fields. The tour is currently scheduled through 2009, and will be playing Tempe, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Though a far-fetched concept (a musical dealing with incest, domestic abuse, lesbianism and racism on The Great White Way), 'Purple' became an enormous success since debuting Dec. 1, 2005. With Winfrey's marketing magic coupled with an exceptional array of theater talent, the ambitious undertaking became the toast of Broadway.
Last summer, when 'American Idol' winner Fantasia (pictured above, alongside vocal dynamo Mendes) stepped in as a replacement for LaChanze (pictured right with Walker), a box-office frenzy ensued leading to a motley mix of avid fans. Though the multiple Grammy Award nominated chanteuse left the show two weeks ago, an opportunity for more "stunt casting" (with other major celebrities stepping into roles) did present itself with the addition of Khan, Winans and Jones.
"Twenty five years ago, I read a book that changed my life: 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker. I was honored to be a part of the cast of that powerful motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg,' Winfrey issued in a statement."When the opportunity came to help bring the musical to the Broadway stage, it was a full circle moment for me," she added. "I'm so proud to have been a part of this production that not only made Broadway history, but resonated with a new generation and touched the lives of more than 1 million theatergoers.
Source: Black Voices.com
"From the day I first approached Alice Walker to turn her beloved book into a musical, and down every magical road I have traveled, my journey with 'The Color Purple' has always been unbelievably rewarding artistically, professionally and spiritually," said lead producer Scott Sanders. "It is a tribute to Alice Walker's American masterpiece that it continues to be both socially and politically relevant...more than relevant...crucial to the American story.
I am extremely proud of this new musical we have brought to life, its creative success and the way in which we have been able to expand the Broadway audience in a culturally significant way," Sanders continued.The show currently stars Chaka Khan as Sofia, BeBe Winans as Harpo, LaKisha Jones as the Church Soloist at all evening performances and Sofia at all matinee performances, Montego Glover as Nettie, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mister, Krisha Marcano as Squeak and Zonya Love as Celie.
Also featured in the cast of 37 are Leilani N. Bryant, Teresa Stanley, Yolanda Wyns, Larry Marshall, Deidra H. Brooks, Eric L. Christian, Latrisa A. Coleman, Ruby E. Crawford, Bobby Daye, Doug Eskew, Lavon Fisher-Wilson, Charles Gray, Gavin Gregory, Stephanie Guiland-Brown, James Harkness, Francesca Harper, Chauncey Jenkins, Ashley Reneé Jordan, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Kenya Unique Massey, Marla McReynolds, Jenny Mollet, JC Montgomery, Angela Robinson, Levensky Smith, Ricky Smith and Jamal Story.
The national tour, currently playing in Los Angeles, stars LaToya London of 'American Idol,' Destiny's Child's Michelle Williams and original workshop and Broadway stars Jeannette Bayardelle and Felicia P. Fields. The tour is currently scheduled through 2009, and will be playing Tempe, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Though a far-fetched concept (a musical dealing with incest, domestic abuse, lesbianism and racism on The Great White Way), 'Purple' became an enormous success since debuting Dec. 1, 2005. With Winfrey's marketing magic coupled with an exceptional array of theater talent, the ambitious undertaking became the toast of Broadway.
Last summer, when 'American Idol' winner Fantasia (pictured above, alongside vocal dynamo Mendes) stepped in as a replacement for LaChanze (pictured right with Walker), a box-office frenzy ensued leading to a motley mix of avid fans. Though the multiple Grammy Award nominated chanteuse left the show two weeks ago, an opportunity for more "stunt casting" (with other major celebrities stepping into roles) did present itself with the addition of Khan, Winans and Jones.
"Twenty five years ago, I read a book that changed my life: 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker. I was honored to be a part of the cast of that powerful motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg,' Winfrey issued in a statement."When the opportunity came to help bring the musical to the Broadway stage, it was a full circle moment for me," she added. "I'm so proud to have been a part of this production that not only made Broadway history, but resonated with a new generation and touched the lives of more than 1 million theatergoers.
Source: Black Voices.com
Def Jam Sued for $20 Million:Grammy-Nominee Chrisette Michele
Litigation involving Chrisette Michele, nominated for a Grammy in the upcoming awards, expanded as Four Kings CEO, Douglas "Biggs" Ellison, filed suit in Manhattan Supreme Court against Island Def Jam Music Group (a division of UMG), Shalik Berry (A&R), Lynette Payne, Chrisette's mother (a former school teacher) and Lemuel Payne, Chrisette's father (a deacon at his church in Long Island).
Attorneys for Four Kings Productions, Inc. allege in their complaint on behalf of Mr. Ellison and his production company that all of the foregoing defendants in the current case conspired to commit, and in fact did commit, numerous business torts and engaged in unlawful business practices with the intent of getting the artist out of her exclusive contracts with Four Kings, all of which has damaged Mr. Ellison and his production company, Four Kings, immeasurably.
The above action is the second of two related lawsuits in which this controversy is currently being litigated. The artist first sued Mr. Ellison and Four Kings (a move that Mr. Ellison describes as "pre-emptive"), in which she alleged, among other things, "embezzlement" and "harassment"; however, each of those claims were quietly withdrawn at the request of Ms. Michelle--but not before the salacious charges were repeated over and over in the press.
The artist in fact only dropped the foregoing charges after Four Kings countersued in response, suing the artist for breach of the exclusive management agreement that Ms. Michelle signed with Four Kings and for breach by the artist of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and related claims.
The second lawsuit seeks punitive damages of $20 million against the defendants, with Four Kings alleging that business decisions made by Def Jam, Berry and the Paynes, infringed upon Four Kings' contractual rights to receive proceeds from the income of the artist, including from the sale of her album, "I AM", other recordings, touring and acting. Four Kings contends that Def Jam's actions were conducted in bad faith and have harmed the interests of the production company.
Lynette Payne is being sued for defamation, conversion, unjust enrichment, and tortious interference with contracts between the production company and her daughter and for interference with the future business relationship between the artist and Four Kings as provided for in the contracts signed by Mr. Ellison and Ms. Michelle.
Four Kings Productions, Inc. spent countless hours developing, recording, and financing Chrisette Michele's career. Four Kings, as Chrisette Michele's exclusive manager and exclusive recording company, entered into a recording agreement with Def Jam in September of 2005 for the benefit of the artist, agreeing to provide her services to Def Jam.
Four Kings and Chrisette completed multiple songs and gave them to Def Jam for inclusion on her debut album "I AM." As soon as the artist's mother saw that Chrisette was receiving money, all a direct result of the efforts of the production company under its contracts with the artist, Mr. Ellison's complaint alleges, Lynette Payne quit her job as a teacher and, in willful disregard of the artist's contractual obligations to Four Kings, usurped management functions regarding her daughter's newly found success, in an effort to keep the money in the family.
The lawsuit alleges that Chrisette's mother, upon quitting her job, deliberately set about inserting herself into the role that Four Kings should be performing in the production process according to the artist's agreements with the production company. The Four Kings' complaint goes on to allege that Mrs. Lynette Payne sought to sever lines of communication between the talented artist and Mr. Ellison, met with Mr. Berry at Def Jam's office in New York to conspire to get Ms. Michelle out of her contracts with Four Kings, lawfully or otherwise.
The complaint also says that the artist's father, Mr. Payne knew about his wife's attempts to take over management of their daughter's suddenly burgeoning career, and hoped that hid role in trying to take over management of the artist could be kept in the background.
Source: Black News.com
Attorneys for Four Kings Productions, Inc. allege in their complaint on behalf of Mr. Ellison and his production company that all of the foregoing defendants in the current case conspired to commit, and in fact did commit, numerous business torts and engaged in unlawful business practices with the intent of getting the artist out of her exclusive contracts with Four Kings, all of which has damaged Mr. Ellison and his production company, Four Kings, immeasurably.
The above action is the second of two related lawsuits in which this controversy is currently being litigated. The artist first sued Mr. Ellison and Four Kings (a move that Mr. Ellison describes as "pre-emptive"), in which she alleged, among other things, "embezzlement" and "harassment"; however, each of those claims were quietly withdrawn at the request of Ms. Michelle--but not before the salacious charges were repeated over and over in the press.
The artist in fact only dropped the foregoing charges after Four Kings countersued in response, suing the artist for breach of the exclusive management agreement that Ms. Michelle signed with Four Kings and for breach by the artist of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and related claims.
The second lawsuit seeks punitive damages of $20 million against the defendants, with Four Kings alleging that business decisions made by Def Jam, Berry and the Paynes, infringed upon Four Kings' contractual rights to receive proceeds from the income of the artist, including from the sale of her album, "I AM", other recordings, touring and acting. Four Kings contends that Def Jam's actions were conducted in bad faith and have harmed the interests of the production company.
Lynette Payne is being sued for defamation, conversion, unjust enrichment, and tortious interference with contracts between the production company and her daughter and for interference with the future business relationship between the artist and Four Kings as provided for in the contracts signed by Mr. Ellison and Ms. Michelle.
Four Kings Productions, Inc. spent countless hours developing, recording, and financing Chrisette Michele's career. Four Kings, as Chrisette Michele's exclusive manager and exclusive recording company, entered into a recording agreement with Def Jam in September of 2005 for the benefit of the artist, agreeing to provide her services to Def Jam.
Four Kings and Chrisette completed multiple songs and gave them to Def Jam for inclusion on her debut album "I AM." As soon as the artist's mother saw that Chrisette was receiving money, all a direct result of the efforts of the production company under its contracts with the artist, Mr. Ellison's complaint alleges, Lynette Payne quit her job as a teacher and, in willful disregard of the artist's contractual obligations to Four Kings, usurped management functions regarding her daughter's newly found success, in an effort to keep the money in the family.
The lawsuit alleges that Chrisette's mother, upon quitting her job, deliberately set about inserting herself into the role that Four Kings should be performing in the production process according to the artist's agreements with the production company. The Four Kings' complaint goes on to allege that Mrs. Lynette Payne sought to sever lines of communication between the talented artist and Mr. Ellison, met with Mr. Berry at Def Jam's office in New York to conspire to get Ms. Michelle out of her contracts with Four Kings, lawfully or otherwise.
The complaint also says that the artist's father, Mr. Payne knew about his wife's attempts to take over management of their daughter's suddenly burgeoning career, and hoped that hid role in trying to take over management of the artist could be kept in the background.
Source: Black News.com
Danny Glover Convicted of Trespassing
Danny Glover has been convicted in Niagara Falls, Ontario, for trespassing in a hotel during a union rally in 2006. Glover, who wasn't in court, was convicted Thursday along with UNITE HERE union representative Alex Dagg and Ontario Federation of Labour President Wayne Samuelson. Canadian Niagara Hotels charged the three with trespassing at their Sheraton on the Falls property during a Sept. 16, 2006, protest.
The 60-year-old actor took part in the protest as part of a larger campaign that aims to increase salaries and improve working conditions for hotel workers in the U.S. and Canada.
Sentencing is scheduled Feb. 8. HERE represents 50,000 hotel, food service, garment and manufacturing workers across Canada and 450,000 in North America.
Source: Google News
The 60-year-old actor took part in the protest as part of a larger campaign that aims to increase salaries and improve working conditions for hotel workers in the U.S. and Canada.
Sentencing is scheduled Feb. 8. HERE represents 50,000 hotel, food service, garment and manufacturing workers across Canada and 450,000 in North America.
Source: Google News
Kenyan Marathon Runner Killed by Arrow
A Kenyan marathon runner was fatally shot with an arrow, the second international athlete to die as Kenya struggles with an explosion of postelection chaos, a sports official and fellow athlete said Tuesday.
Wesly Ngetich, 34, won the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn., in 2005 and 2007. He and at least a dozen other Kenyans withdrew from the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon because of the political strife in Kenya. David Okeyo, head of Athletics Kenya, the governing body for Kenyan sports, confirmed Ngetich's death but had no details on the circumstances. Police had no immediate comment.
Another athlete, the former Olympic runner Lucas Sang, was hacked to death in western Kenya during the election violence. A fellow athlete said Ngetich was caught in the crossfire of a dispute between two ethnic groups Monday in Trans Mara, on the outskirts of Kenya's legendary Masai Mara game reserve. The death had nothing to do with the election violence, said William Yiampoy, a neighbor and one of Kenya's top 800-meter runners.
"It's not true he died because of the election violence in Kenya," Yiampoy told The Associated Press, citing eyewitnesses in their village. He said a man from Ngetich's tribe had shot a boy with an arrow, and the other group was avenging the attack. Ngetich was hit accidentally, Yiampoy said. "We're shocked because we became very good friends with Wesly," said Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma's Marathon. "The city of Duluth kind of adopted him, and he kind of adopted the city of Duluth, and we were expecting him to return and defend his title."
Hussein Makke, Ngetich's agent, said the runner told him earlier this month that he has 150 cows -- but that it would take 1,000 cows to make him a big man in his village. "This was really his main focus, to become a moneymaker from running," Makke said.
By Elizabeth A. Kennedy
Writer Joshua Freed contributed to this report.
Source: Associated Press
Wesly Ngetich, 34, won the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn., in 2005 and 2007. He and at least a dozen other Kenyans withdrew from the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon because of the political strife in Kenya. David Okeyo, head of Athletics Kenya, the governing body for Kenyan sports, confirmed Ngetich's death but had no details on the circumstances. Police had no immediate comment.
Another athlete, the former Olympic runner Lucas Sang, was hacked to death in western Kenya during the election violence. A fellow athlete said Ngetich was caught in the crossfire of a dispute between two ethnic groups Monday in Trans Mara, on the outskirts of Kenya's legendary Masai Mara game reserve. The death had nothing to do with the election violence, said William Yiampoy, a neighbor and one of Kenya's top 800-meter runners.
"It's not true he died because of the election violence in Kenya," Yiampoy told The Associated Press, citing eyewitnesses in their village. He said a man from Ngetich's tribe had shot a boy with an arrow, and the other group was avenging the attack. Ngetich was hit accidentally, Yiampoy said. "We're shocked because we became very good friends with Wesly," said Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma's Marathon. "The city of Duluth kind of adopted him, and he kind of adopted the city of Duluth, and we were expecting him to return and defend his title."
Hussein Makke, Ngetich's agent, said the runner told him earlier this month that he has 150 cows -- but that it would take 1,000 cows to make him a big man in his village. "This was really his main focus, to become a moneymaker from running," Makke said.
By Elizabeth A. Kennedy
Writer Joshua Freed contributed to this report.
Source: Associated Press
Rampage Starts Race Row
Protesters tried to force their way into the court hearing Thursday of a white teenager charged with a shooting rampage in a black settlement that left four people dead, including a mother and her infant. The bloodshed on Jan. 14 in the Skielik settlement, 100 miles northwest of Johannesburg, has ignited racial tensions that remain close to the surface more than a decade after the end of South Africa's apartheid system.
Riot police were called in to control the dozens of black protesters who gathered outside the Swartruggens District Court, trying to push through the compound gates as 18-year-old Johan Nel made a brief appearance inside. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder.
The crowd waved signs saying " no bail, let him rot in jail," the South African Press Association reported. Police pushed the group was pushed to the side of the street.
Police are unclear on a motive, but Skielik's residents allege that Nel killed out of racial hatred. Leaders of the trade union movement and African National Congress have joined demonstrations in Skielik, which is part of an area known for its game reserves, biting rural poverty and deep divide between black and white. "When I see a white skin I shiver and I ask, `Am I not a person like you, so do I not bleed?'" Mayor Wilhelminah Moleko told about 600 mourners at a memorial service shortly after Thursday's court session.
Nel, wearing camouflage and carrying a rifle, allegedly began firing on a group of children as he took a path through the settlement just outside the scenic village of Swartruggens.
Three-month-old Keditlhotse Moithitlhi died instantly and her 31-year-old mother, Anna Moithitlhi, who was carrying the baby on her back, died in hospital. A 10-year-old boy and 35-year-old man were the other dead. Six others were wounded.
Witnesses told local media that the silent shooter paused only to reload before eventually stopping and disappearing. His father handed him over to police. Friends have described Nel as quiet and well-mannered, although deeply affected by an armed attack by black intruders on his home when he was a boy. His lawyer Frikkie Pretorius said Thursday that he would ask for a psychiatric evaluation of his client, who appeared in court with his hands and wrists cuffed.
Nel's rampage rekindled memories of a 1988 shooting spree by white supremacist Barend Strydom, who killed eight black people and wounded 16 in the capital Pretoria.
Organizations representing white South Africans say that the killings have led to an outpouring of hate speech they fear will inflame tensions.
By Clare Nullis
Source: Google News
Riot police were called in to control the dozens of black protesters who gathered outside the Swartruggens District Court, trying to push through the compound gates as 18-year-old Johan Nel made a brief appearance inside. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder.
The crowd waved signs saying " no bail, let him rot in jail," the South African Press Association reported. Police pushed the group was pushed to the side of the street.
Police are unclear on a motive, but Skielik's residents allege that Nel killed out of racial hatred. Leaders of the trade union movement and African National Congress have joined demonstrations in Skielik, which is part of an area known for its game reserves, biting rural poverty and deep divide between black and white. "When I see a white skin I shiver and I ask, `Am I not a person like you, so do I not bleed?'" Mayor Wilhelminah Moleko told about 600 mourners at a memorial service shortly after Thursday's court session.
Nel, wearing camouflage and carrying a rifle, allegedly began firing on a group of children as he took a path through the settlement just outside the scenic village of Swartruggens.
Three-month-old Keditlhotse Moithitlhi died instantly and her 31-year-old mother, Anna Moithitlhi, who was carrying the baby on her back, died in hospital. A 10-year-old boy and 35-year-old man were the other dead. Six others were wounded.
Witnesses told local media that the silent shooter paused only to reload before eventually stopping and disappearing. His father handed him over to police. Friends have described Nel as quiet and well-mannered, although deeply affected by an armed attack by black intruders on his home when he was a boy. His lawyer Frikkie Pretorius said Thursday that he would ask for a psychiatric evaluation of his client, who appeared in court with his hands and wrists cuffed.
Nel's rampage rekindled memories of a 1988 shooting spree by white supremacist Barend Strydom, who killed eight black people and wounded 16 in the capital Pretoria.
Organizations representing white South Africans say that the killings have led to an outpouring of hate speech they fear will inflame tensions.
By Clare Nullis
Source: Google News
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