Judge denies Usher's ex-wife custody of sons after accident

n">(Reuters) - A judge in Atlanta on Friday denied the ex-wife of R&B singer Usher temporary primary custody of their two children after one of them was hospitalized following a swimming pool accident at Usher's house.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge John J. Goger dismissed the motion for primary custody filed on Tuesday by Tameka Foster, saying that there was no reason for the singer to relinquish primary custody because of one accident.

Usher, 34, has custody of 5-year-old Usher Raymond V and his younger brother Naviyd, 4.

The Grammy winner and coach on NBC's TV singing contest "The Voice" won custody of the boys last year. He was married to Foster, 42, from 2007 to 2009.

In her court filing, Foster had alleged that Usher failed to personally exercise physical custody of the children by using caregivers and also traveled excessively, which took away from his parenting time.

The singer, whose full name is Usher Raymond IV, was not at his Atlanta area home on Monday when Usher Raymond V's arm got caught in a swimming pool drain when he tried to retrieve a toy.

The boys' aunt, Rena Oden, and two other women tried to pull the child free but could not. Contractors installing audio-visual equipment at the house jumped into the pool, rescued him and administered CPR.

"What happened here was an awful accident," Goger said when explaining his decision. "Based on the evidence here, I'm not certain that one person could have done any better than Ms. Oden. Ms. Oden did impress me."

Usher, Foster and Oden all testified at the hearing.

The boy is recovering in an Atlanta hospital and is expected to be released on Sunday, Usher's attorney said.

Last year Foster's older child and Usher's stepson, 11-year-old Kile Glover, died after suffering a brain injury during a jet-ski accident.

(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Mary Milliken and Mohammad Zargham)

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Judge dismisses case against Selena Gomez stalker

Actress and singer and host of the show Selena Gomez arrives on the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards show in Belfast November 6, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Luke Macgregor

LOS ANGELES | Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:47pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A judge on Wednesday dismissed the case against an Illinois man who was accused of stalking actress and singer Selena Gomez earlier this year, a court official said.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Edmund Clarke Jr. ruled that Thomas Brodnicki, 46, "lacked specific intent" to cause Gomez fear, said District Attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

She said prosecutors were now "evaluating our next step."

Brodnicki pleaded not guilty earlier this month to one felony charge alleging that he stalked the 19-year-old entertainer between July and October.

Another judge in the case earlier had granted a stay-away order against Brodnicki in October. Brodnicki allegedly told a psychiatrist he traveled to Los Angeles to see Gomez and had conversations with God about killing her, according to court documents.

Gomez is best known for her work on children's shows such as "Wizards of Waverly Place." She also is the girlfriend of teen singer Justin Bieber.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

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Judge dismisses case against Selena Gomez stalker (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A judge on Wednesday dismissed the case against an Illinois man who was accused of stalking actress and singer Selena Gomez earlier this year, a court official said.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Edmund Clarke Jr. ruled that Thomas Brodnicki, 46, "lacked specific intent" to cause Gomez fear, said District Attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

She said prosecutors were now "evaluating our next step."

Brodnicki pleaded not guilty earlier this month to one felony charge alleging that he stalked the 19-year-old entertainer between July and October.

Another judge in the case earlier had granted a stay-away order against Brodnicki in October. Brodnicki allegedly told a psychiatrist he traveled to Los Angeles to see Gomez and had conversations with God about killing her, according to court documents.

Gomez is best known for her work on children's shows such as "Wizards of Waverly Place." She also is the girlfriend of teen singer Justin Bieber.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

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Judge approves viewing of Jackson film outtakes (AP)

By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch, Ap Special Correspondent – Fri Jun 24, 4:54 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – Defense attorneys and prosecutors in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor won permission Friday to view raw footage that didn't make it into the concert movie "This Is It."

The lawyers want to show excerpts from the movie to demonstrate Jackson's physical condition before he died.

However, the ruling also sets the stage for the singer to become the posthumous star of the upcoming trial.

At one point in the court hearing, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor asked if prosecutors wanted to show the entire movie to jurors, but the issue was tabled for later discussion.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren initially asked to show excerpts of the actual movie compiled from rehearsals two days before Jackson's death on June 25, 2009.

Defense attorneys, however, asked to see outtakes not used in the movie and requested the time frame begin 10 days before Jackson died.

Walgren said prosecutors want to see the same raw footage that is viewed by the defense.

Defense attorney Nareg Gourjian objected to the prosecution's request to sit in on the private screening, saying the subpoena was issued by the defense.

Walgren countered that it would be "silly and a waste of time" for him to get a separate subpoena and the judge agreed.

"I think the people should be part of it," Pastor said.

Pastor said both sides can go to Sony studios beginning Tuesday and view 21 boxes of audio-visual materials that have been estimated to capture 100 hours of rehearsal time. Jackson was preparing for a widely anticipated London concert and died just before he was to leave for Britain.

Dr. Conrad Murray, hired as Jackson's private physician for the tour, is charged with involuntary manslaughter, accused of giving Jackson an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives. He has pleaded not guilty and is due for trial in September.

The hearing came one day before the second anniversary of Jackson's death. Some theaters in Hollywood are showing "This Is It" as a tribute to the singer over the weekend.

Walgren said the time-consuming effort to view all the footage may require a trial delay of about three weeks. Pastor ordered lawyers to return on July 12 and give him a progress report and time estimate.

Sony lawyer Gary Bostwick said the materials in Sony's possession are not categorized, and Pastor described the treasure trove as sounding like "boxes someone would have in their garage."

Bostwick agreed but called it a unique situation because of the path the footage took.

Concert promoter AEG, which owned the videos, decided to release a posthumous movie soon after Jackson's death and rushed to have the rehearsal footage edited by director Kenny Ortega, Bostwick said.

The movie eventually was sold to Sony and the raw footage was turned over to them as well.

Bostwick said producers were working so fast to get the movie out that "there never was any complete inventory."

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Will Cheryl Cole judge UK's version of "The Voice?"

Cheryl Cole poses for photographers at the BRIT music awards at the O2 Arena in London February 15, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Toby Melville

By Mimi Turner

Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:04pm EDT

LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) - The BBC has won the battle to bring talent search show "The Voice" to BBC1 after a high stakes battle with ITV. The move could see Cheryl Cole back on British screens next year.

The Girls Aloud singer, who was unceremoniously dumped from "X-Factor" U.S. earlier this month, also lost out on her chance to rejoin the British version of the show - which airs on ITV1 - after refusing to take calls from ITV executives.

There is no word about Cole signing to the BBC1 Saturday night show -- yet. But as the most popular talent show judge in the U.K. after Simon Cowell, Cole will be the viewers' choice to front the BBC show, and if wooed to the BBC could secure the show's success for the BBC.

A rep for Cole denies that "any discussions with Talpa have taken place."

BBC1 boss Danny Cohen said he has signed a deal with the show's creator, John de Mol, whose production company Talpa Media is behind the NBC show starring Christine Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine. The U.K. show will be co-produced by Talpa and Warner Bros-owned British company Shed Media.

"It's a big, exciting and warm-hearted series and will be a fantastic Saturday night event on BBC1," said Cohen.

"The Voice" initially began life as "The Voice of Holland" and was the most watched talent competition in the history of Dutch TV.

Creator John de Mol said it represented "a new generation" in its genre. "I am so glad it has been picked up by the BBC, who really share my passion and belief in the show," he added.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

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Judge delays ruling on access to Jackson footage (AP)

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles judge has delayed ruling on a request by attorneys for Michael Jackson's doctor for raw footage not used in the star's posthumous concert film, "This is It."

Lawyers for Sony Pictures sought time Thursday to file more arguments on the issue. They say Dr. Conrad Murray's defense team has radically changed the nature of its request. The judge says he too is confused about just what footage the defense wants.

Prosecutors plan to use clips from "This is It" to show Jackson was in good health just before he died. The defense wants to show otherwise. Another hearing was set for June 24.

Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol and other sedatives. Trial is set for September.

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