John Singleton entered Hollywood in a truly historic fashion. Not only was he the first African American to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Director for his debut film Boyz N the Hood, but he did so at the age of 24, making him the youngest ever nominee for the category. Sadly, Singleton’s career was cut short when he died last week at age 51 following a stroke. Before his death, Singleton’s daughter, Cleopatra, disputed the characterization of Singleton’s medical condition by Singleton’s mother and business manager, Shelia Ward. Ward claimed Singleton was in a coma, petitioning the court in Los Angeles to be named temporary conservator for…
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TOM PETTY’S WIDOW, DAUGHTERS “WON’T BACK DOWN” IN TRUST DISPUTE
Famed rock singer, Tom Petty, passed away in 2017. Nearly two years later his widow, Dana York Petty, and his daughters from a previous marriage, Adria and Annakim Petty, remain embroiled in a legal dispute over the musician’s estate. In the petition filed with the probate court in Los Angeles, California, Dana asserts her authority as the sole trustee of Petty’s trust. This issue does not appear to be in dispute; however, Petty’s daughters contend they have full authority to manage Petty’s catalogue of music recordings. Despite Petty’s efforts to avoid such a dispute by creating a trust with directives for managing its assets, Petty’s widow and daughters disagree…
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EMI DOESN’T LOVE KANYE LIKE KANYE LOVES KANYE
Recording artist Kanye West and music publisher EMI are currently embroiled in dueling lawsuits with each other regarding an alleged breach of West’s co-publishing contract with EMI. West, who filed a complaint against EMI in court in California, asserts that California law should govern the terms of the contract. He also asserts that the contract amounts to a contract for personal services that began in 2003, thus violating a California statute that limits personal services contracts to seven years or less. Conversely, EMI filed a complaint in New York, asserting that New York law governs due to the choice of law provision in the contract. EMI also asserts that West’s…
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The Battle for Charles Manson’s Estate
When Charles Manson passed away at age 83 of natural causes* at the Corcoran State Prison in Corcoran California, he left in his wake a potential legal battle over his estate. Three men currently claim to be the rightful beneficiaries to Manson’s estate: a long-time pen pal, a son, and a grandson of Manson. Notorious cult leader, Charles Manson, and his followers, the Manson Family, were responsible for a brutal murder spree in August of 1969 targeting members of the Hollywood elite. On his orders, his followers went to Roman Polanski’s house and killed his pregnant wife, actress Sharon Tate, along with four others, including the heiress to the Folger’s…
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How Statutes of Limitations May Affect Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers’ Legal Options
Should the mounting allegations of sexual harassment and assault prove to be true – and it’s not looking so good for him – then Harvey Weinstein is a criminal. This isn’t just “bad behavior” or “acting inappropriately.” Sexual assault is a crime punishable by law. However, it is also a tort (a civil wrong) that could result in financial liability if proven in court. Criminal assault and civil assault have different statues of limitations. It is possible that he could be held criminally liable as well as civilly liable should his accusers bring a suit against him before the civil statute runs in each of their particular cases. In many…
