Rick James' Cause of Death Uncertain
(AP, 08/08/2004 9:12 AM)
By Daisy Nguyen
An autopsy Saturday failed to determine the cause of death for funk legend Rick James, authorities said. James, 56, died in his sleep Friday at his home near Universal City. The singer was a diabetic and also had a pacemaker. He suffered a stroke in 1998.
His three children — daughter Ty and sons Rick Jr. and Tazman — said Friday through a spokeswoman that they believe their father died of heart failure.
James had a history of cocaine addiction that led him to two assault convictions in the 1990s and a two-year stretch in prison.
Officials are awaiting results of a toxicology test, which could take several weeks, said Lt. David Smith, supervising investigator of the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
James's career peaked in 1981 with "Super Freak," a song so enduring that a strain of its infectious bass line powered the MC Hammer hit "U Can't Touch This" nearly a decade later.
The song earned the Grammy for best R&B song in 1990 for both Hammer and James.
James had enjoyed a bit of a revival recently, in part because of comedian Dave Chappelle portraying him as violent and arrogant on his "Chappelle's Show." James himself appeared on the Comedy Central show.
Bryant's Accuser Considering Dropping Criminal Case
By Emmanuel N. Jackson
Posted Aug. 4, 2004 –
Kobe Bryant’s accuser is now considering dropping the criminal case and possibly filing a civil lawsuit, because she has lost faith in the court system and believes she would not get a fair trial, according to news reports.Advertisement
After the release of 200 pages on Monday of court documents detailing the sex life of the 20-year-old, the young woman is discussing with her attorneys whether she will go forward with a criminal case.
John Clune, attorney for the young woman, told The Associated Press that his client will make a decision in the coming days.
"That's something she and prosecutors will have to discuss in the immediate future," Clune said. "The DA's office will have to make that decision on what they want to do."
The details of Bryant’s accuser’s sex life were all transcribed in a closed door hearing nearly two months ago. The transcripts were accidentally e-mailed to seven news organizations by a courtroom reporter. Shortly after the blunder, U.S. District Judge Terry Ruckriegle ruled that any news organization that published the transcripts would be prosecuted for contempt of court.
Once the decision was made, the seven news organizations filed a lawsuit over First Amendment rights. It was nearly a month before the the judge re-evaluated his decision.
Ruckriegle later ruled that an edited version of the transcripts could be released. The transcripts reportedly revealed that the woman had sex with another man shortly after her encounter with the 25-year-old basketball star.
Bryant, who contends that they had a consensual sexual encounter, faces anywhere from four years to life in prison, or 20 years to life on probation, and a $750,000 fine.
He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial Aug. 27.
Do you think Kobe Bryant's accuser will follow through with the criminal case, or do you think she will file a civil suit?
