Latest news with #Brother'sKeeper
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gary man on trial for kidnapping, assaulting teen from Michael Jackson home
Within two minutes, a woman called 911 reporting a man was 'pointing a gun' at tourists outside the Michael Jackson Childhood Home in Gary. The property — at 2300 Jackson Street — for years has been one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. That day, Deputy Prosecutors Tara Villarreal and Chris Bruno allege Oasia Barnes used it to target an unsuspecting local man and his 16-year-old daughter. Is anyone in danger, the dispatcher asks. 'The girl,' the woman responds. Barnes, 69, of Gary, was charged in August with several felonies, including Level 1 felony rape. Prosecutors added gun, habitual offender and repeat sexual offender enhancements, which would add additional time if convicted. Defense lawyer Robert Varga said Monday the evidence — including police statements, identification, hospital records, and DNA — didn't conclusively match up. The victim's father told Gary Police Detective Olivia Vasquez he was snapping pictures at the tourist attraction in the city's Midtown section on Aug. 9, when Barnes walked up and stuck a handgun toward his daughter's ribs demanding money. The man gave him about $300. When Barnes told him he needed a ride, the father said he could take their vehicle. Barnes said he wanted to have sex with the 'pretty' girl, according to the affidavit. He threatened to kill her if they didn't get in the car. In the car, Barnes repeatedly threatened to shoot them both. He directed the man to an alley behind an abandoned home. At first, he said he wanted to watch the girl 'do sex things' to her father, and threatened to kill the man if she didn't. The father told him she didn't want to do it. Barnes got out of the car with the girl. The father said he thought about running over Barnes, but didn't want to hit the girl. The man ran to Maryland Street and called 911. Police later found the 16-year-old girl sitting with Barnes on a basement stairwell on the 2200 block of Washington Street. Barnes was arrested with a black Taurus handgun. The teen said he kidnapped her. The girl told investigators that Barnes forced her to touch his genitals at gunpoint as they got into her father's vehicle. When Barnes got her out of the vehicle, he forced her at gunpoint to perform a sex act. As the father got out of the car, Barnes flashed the gun and told him to get back in the car. On Monday, jurors saw bodycam footage from Gary Police Officer Tatum, who responded first to the home on the 2200 block of Washington Street where the girl, Barnes and another man were found on the back porch. She was eating food. We're just hanging out, Barnes claimed. Where are you from, Tatum asked the girl. 'New York,' she responded. What are you doing here, Tatum responded. I was visiting Michael Jackson's house, she said. He radioed that he found the missing girl. Tatum testified he handcuffed Barnes and took a gun off him. The other man was arrested, but not charged, according to public court filings. The man got a call while at Brother's Keeper and walked to the Washington Street home. He is not mentioned in Barnes' original charging affidavit. Did she appear to be held at gunpoint or crying, Varga asked on cross-examination. No, Tatum responded. Earlier, jurors heard a 911 call from a man who said he got a cell phone notification from his video security system from the Washington Street home that three people were on the back porch. Court documents indicate Barnes, a.k.a. Osia, got 70 years in 1985 for a rape conviction. Indiana law at the time required inmates to serve 50% of the sentence. It was not immediately clear Monday when he was released. The trial continues this week. mcolias@
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Gary man on trial for kidnapping, assaulting teen from Michael Jackson home
Within two minutes, a woman called 911 reporting a man was 'pointing a gun' at tourists outside the Michael Jackson Childhood Home in Gary. The property — at 2300 Jackson Street — for years has been one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. That day, Deputy Prosecutors Tara Villarreal and Chris Bruno allege Oasia Barnes used it to target an unsuspecting local man and his 16-year-old daughter. Is anyone in danger, the dispatcher asks. 'The girl,' the woman responds. Barnes, 69, of Gary, was charged in August with several felonies, including Level 1 felony rape. Prosecutors added gun, habitual offender and repeat sexual offender enhancements, which would add additional time if convicted. Defense lawyer Robert Varga said Monday the evidence — including police statements, identification, hospital records, and DNA — didn't conclusively match up. The victim's father told Gary Police Detective Olivia Vasquez he was snapping pictures at the tourist attraction in the city's Midtown section on Aug. 9, when Barnes walked up and stuck a handgun toward his daughter's ribs demanding money. The man gave him about $300. When Barnes told him he needed a ride, the father said he could take their vehicle. Barnes said he wanted to have sex with the 'pretty' girl, according to the affidavit. He threatened to kill her if they didn't get in the car. In the car, Barnes repeatedly threatened to shoot them both. He directed the man to an alley behind an abandoned home. At first, he said he wanted to watch the girl 'do sex things' to her father, and threatened to kill the man if she didn't. The father told him she didn't want to do it. Barnes got out of the car with the girl. The father said he thought about running over Barnes, but didn't want to hit the girl. The man ran to Maryland Street and called 911. Police later found the 16-year-old girl sitting with Barnes on a basement stairwell on the 2200 block of Washington Street. Barnes was arrested with a black Taurus handgun. The teen said he kidnapped her. The girl told investigators that Barnes forced her to touch his genitals at gunpoint as they got into her father's vehicle. When Barnes got her out of the vehicle, he forced her at gunpoint to perform a sex act. As the father got out of the car, Barnes flashed the gun and told him to get back in the car. On Monday, jurors saw bodycam footage from Gary Police Officer Tatum, who responded first to the home on the 2200 block of Washington Street where the girl, Barnes and another man were found on the back porch. She was eating food. We're just hanging out, Barnes claimed. Where are you from, Tatum asked the girl. 'New York,' she responded. What are you doing here, Tatum responded. I was visiting Michael Jackson's house, she said. He radioed that he found the missing girl. Tatum testified he handcuffed Barnes and took a gun off him. The other man was arrested, but not charged, according to public court filings. The man got a call while at Brother's Keeper and walked to the Washington Street home. He is not mentioned in Barnes' original charging affidavit. Did she appear to be held at gunpoint or crying, Varga asked on cross-examination. No, Tatum responded. Earlier, jurors heard a 911 call from a man who said he got a cell phone notification from his video security system from the Washington Street home that three people were on the back porch. Court documents indicate Barnes, a.k.a. Osia, got 70 years in 1985 for a rape conviction. Indiana law at the time required inmates to serve 50% of the sentence. It was not immediately clear Monday when he was released. The trial continues this week.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Everything you need to know about Peckham Fringe 2025
Theatre Peckham has announced a diverse community-curated programme for the Peckham Fringe. Running from May 1 to June 6, 2025, the festival will feature nearly 30 shows. This year, the event will expand into Canada Water Theatre, alongside the regular venues of Theatre Peckham's Main Theatre and Studio 1. The expansion aims to provide more artists with the opportunity to showcase their work while enhancing accessibility for local residents. Now in its fourth year, Peckham Fringe was established to address the barriers artists face in presenting their work. The festival has become a key cultural event in London's artistic landscape, committed to amplifying voices and providing a platform for both emerging and established artists. The programme for this year's festival will feature a wide range of theatre, dance, comedy, and spoken word performances. The festival will open with Tony Craze Award winner Maryam Garad's solo performance piece, Reparations, which explores the internal worlds of a young female shoplifter. Ms Garad said: "All my stories are influenced by my identity as a Black British Muslim woman. "I want to write stories that allow people from similar backgrounds to see themselves on the stage. "I hope my work can change the narrative that often sidelines Black and Brown voices." Other performances will explore themes such as gentrification, immigration, and gendered expression. The festival will close with a return of Brother's Keeper by Selorm Adonu, which combines Krump dance within a party atmosphere. Selorm, who also acts in the play, said: "Putting on Brother's Keeper at Peckham Fringe last year has changed the game for me entirely as a creative. "It's taught me how to be a better writer, producer and actor, and overall a better artist. "The best thing of all is performing on a stage that is in the ends." The festival is curated each year by Theatre Peckham's Ambassadors, a group of dedicated local community members. Their insights ensure the programming is ambitious and reflective of a range of community voices. Local writer and performer Jessica Siân said: "As Ambassadors we bring fresh perspectives that shape the festival into a true reflection of the breadth of artistic talent. "Our commitment to inclusivity and representation is vital in our mission to amplify underrepresented voices." The success of previous years' productions is testament to the high calibre of talent and the opportunities that the festival provides. Peckham Fringe was the birthplace of hit shows including NO ID by Tatenda Samisu, Bangtail by Lil Wenker, Sunny Side Up by David Alade, and I Love Acting but F the Industry by Faisal Dacosta and Raphel Famotibe. Acclaimed playwright Roy Williams OBE FRSL has recently joined as a patron, championing new writing and diverse voices within the arts. Roy said: "Fringe festivals like Peckham Fringe are essential for nurturing talent and providing a platform for stories that reflect our rich cultural tapestry. "They play a critical role in the evolution of theatre and I am proud to support Theatre Peckham." Suzann McLean MBE, CEO/Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham, said: "Peckham Fringe is one of the annual highlights in Theatre Peckham's calendar. "It is a festival for creatives who have something to say, who want to platform work that is innovative and need the support to do so. "We are committed to offering an opportunity to see incredible theatre that is reasonably priced. "We are doing this because the richness of theatre can only develop by opening our doors to new artists, new work and new voices." For the full Peckham Fringe 2025 programme, and to book shows, visit the Theatre Peckham website.
