A Texas appeals court has halted the execution of David Leonard Wood, who has been on death row for over 30 years for the murders of six girls and young women, due to ongoing questions about his intellectual disability and eligibility for execution. This decision coincides with a federal judge in Louisiana stopping the state's first planned execution using nitrogen gas, highlighting a national trend of legal challenges and delays in capital punishment cases. Wood's case, particularly concerning individuals with intellectual disabilities, underscores the complexities of death penalty debates and may influence how states address evolving standards of justice and human rights.
Posts tagged as “Access Hollywood”
At the 26th Academy Awards, Disney achieved notable success by winning in multiple categories, further solidifying its legacy in the film industry. "Captain America: Brave New World" had a strong opening but experienced a significant decline in its second week, although it remained at the top of the box office. At the 97th Academy Awards, filmmaker Sean Baker made history by winning four Oscars for his film "Anora," matching a record previously held by Walt Disney.
Jonathan Majors was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment by a Manhattan jury on Monday, after a two-week trial. The charges stemmed from an incident between Majors and his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, in a chauffeured car. Majors' attorney released a statement saying the jury did not believe Jabbari's story, and the judge ordered a new order of protection and set the sentencing date for February 6th. Majors had hoped the trial would restore his status as an emerging Hollywood star, but the outcome of the sentencing remains uncertain.
After an almost four-month strike, SAG-AFTRA members have approved a new three-year contract with Hollywood studios, securing over $1 billion in gains including a 7% pay raise, improved safety protocols, and a new residuals structure for streaming services. The strike, which was the longest in the union's history, has now come to an end, allowing the entertainment industry to move forward and resume production.
A Los Angeles judge ruled Monday that there is enough evidence for A$AP Rocky to stand trial on charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The judge will now consider the evidence and decide whether to proceed to trial, with a potential sentence of up to four years in prison if convicted. The defense has argued that the evidence is insufficient to proceed to trial, while the prosecution has argued that the evidence shows Rocky was the one who fired the gun and was in possession of a firearm.
Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend Erica Herman has dropped her $30 million lawsuit against the trust that owns his $54 million Florida mansion. The lawsuit, which was filed in April 2020, alleged that Woods had verbally and physically abused her, and that his agents had sexually harassed her. Herman's attorney stated that she had decided to drop the lawsuit because she wanted to "put this matter behind her and move on with her life," and that she had never accused Woods of sexual harassment or assault.
Jimmy Kimmel will return as host of the Oscars for the fourth time, with his wife Molly McNearney returning for a second consecutive year as executive producer. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expressed their excitement for Kimmel and McNearney's return, and Kimmel said he was thrilled to be hosting the show for the fourth and most likely final time. McNearney also expressed her excitement to be working with Kimmel again. The Oscars will take place on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California.
Alan Ruck, known for his roles in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Succession," was involved in a four-vehicle crash in Hollywood on Tuesday night that resulted in a pickup truck slamming into a pizzeria. Three people were treated for minor injuries, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation. Ruck is best known for his roles in films such as "Twister," "Speed," and "Star Trek: Generations."