Police today arrested a former grocery worker in the 1979 murder of Etan Patz, ending a mystery of what happened to the 6-year-old boy that has haunted New York City for three decades. Pedro Hernandez, 51, confessed to police that he lured Patz to his death with the promise of a soda. He took police back to the basement of a Manhattan boedga and showed them where he strangled Patz. He said he stuffed by boy's body into a plastic garbage bag, carried it to another location in the SOHO neigborhood and dumped it in the trash. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Hernandez provided no motive for the killing. Patz, a handsome blond boy, vanished on the frist day he was allowed to walk to ... Continue reading →
Food trucks triggered atypical cravings for New York fashion designer Joey Wolffer, who was inspired not to nosh but to transform a 20-foot, potato-chip delivery truck into a roving style gallery. "I had been working for the Jones Apparel Group and traveling for my job and would find so many one-of-a-kind pieces that I would not find here," she said. "I wanted to bring those unique pieces to people without having to stay in one place." So she hit the streets with her mobile boutique, The Styleliner, featuring handpicked fashions from several countries including Kenya, Morocco, France and Brazil. Wolffer, 29, travels to cities such as Miami, Washington and even Montreal to bring customers one-of-a-kind jewels, leather goods and vintage scarves that range in price ... Continue reading →
A rising football star in southern California whose career was brought to a sudden halt by a kidnap-rape conviction that landed him in prison was exonerated today after his accuser contacted him on Facebook recanted her story. "I'm just thankful to be free now and have the opportunity like anybody else to thrive in life," Brian Banks told ABC News Radio today. "I'm completely overwhelmed with so many emotions and feelings all at once." In a hearing today, Banks shook from sobbing when prosecutors said they did not object to his conviction being reversed. His mother and girlfriend who were in court shrieked with happiness. Banks, now 26, was 17 in 2002 and "by all accounts, a rising football star," according to court documents. Many ... Continue reading →
It's Homecoming Week in Cambridge, Mass. Fifty years after leaving dear old Harvard, the distinguished members of the class of 1962 are renewing old ties. In the Harvard alumni magazine, Alden writes he is retired from the bench, but still takes an occasional assignment as a Superior Court judge. Brian and his wife report they are working with inner-city kids when they're not at their place in Normandy. John has just come out with his latest collection of essays. And Ted has just started his 15th year at the federal supermax prison in Florence, Colo. Ted, of course, is Theodore John Kaczynski, the notorious "Unabomber" who was sentenced in May 1998 to eight life sentences for killing three people and injuring 23 more in a ... Continue reading →
Robin Gibb, one of the founding member of the Bee Gees, along with his brothers Barry and Maurice, has died of at age 62. "Sunday 20 May, 2012 at 10:46: The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time," family spokesman Doug Wright said. The singer, songwriter and disco icon waged a brave battle against colon and liver cancer. In 2010 he underwent surgery to treat a twisted bowel, a congenital condition that killed his twin brother and fellow Bee Gee, Maurice, in 2003. In January of this year Robin's spokesman announced that ... Continue reading →
May 19, 2012 12:19pm Will Smith Smacks Amorous Reporter (Image Credit: ABC News) A Ukrainian reporter who tried to kiss Will Smith on the mouth was instead met with a backhanded slap to the face. Russia’s Life TV caught overly affectionate reporter Vitalii Sediuk and the actor on camera at the Moscow premiere of Smith’s new film, “Men In Black 3.” After a hug and a pat on the back, Sediuk leaned in toward Smith’s face and started going for kisses, prompting the star to push him away. “He tried to kiss me on my mouth,” Smith said on camera seconds after the incident. “This joker, he’s lucky I didn’t sucker punch him.” It turns out kissing interview subjects is part of Sediuk’s schtick and ... Continue reading →
Since her death earlier today, Donna Summer fans have been remembering her iconic voice, disco hits, and unparalleled ability to get people on the dance floor. But even the most devoted Summer followers may not know a few things about the Queen of Disco. Click through for six of them. Why She Stopped Singing 'Love to Love You Baby' In December 1975, Summer told Time magazine that she put aside her Christian beliefs to write the sexual song. "I let go long enough to show all the things I've been told since childhood to keep secret," she said. That year, Time counted 22 orgasms in the extended version of the song. In 1979, Summer recommitted herself to her faith and stopped performing "Love to Love ... Continue reading →
Robert F. Kennedy's wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, is dead, sources told ABC News. The couple was married for 16 years before divorcing in 2010. Mary Kennedy, 52, was Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s second wife and the couple has four children together. Kennedy Jr. is the son of former Sen. Robert Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. Bedford, N.Y., police announced an "unattended death," but did not release the identity of the person who died saying it still had to notify family members. Continue reading →
May 13, 2012 11:26am Texting While Walking Banned in New Jersey Town (Image Credit: ABC News) Avid texters beware: Fort Lee, N.J. police said they will begin issuing $85 jaywalking tickets to pedestrians who are caught texting while walking. “It’s a big distraction. Pedestrians aren’t watching where they are going and they are not aware,” said Thomas Ripoli, chief of the Fort Lee Police Department. Ripoli said the borough, which is home to approximately 35,000 residents, has suffered three fatal pedestrian-involved accidents this year. He hopes his crackdown on people who display dangerous behavior while walking will make his town safer, but not everyone is on board with the idea of issuing $85 tickets. “When I walk I still look around. I’m not like constantly ... Continue reading →