Latest news with #WBRZ
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Orleans Jail Escapee Antoine Massey Claims He Was ‘Let Out'
Law enforcement officials are investigating a social media video that appears to show Antoine Massey, one of two remaining fugitives from a historic May jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center, disputing claims that he orchestrated the escape. The video, posted Sunday on an Instagram account and deleted Monday afternoon after news reports, showed a man identifying himself as Massey, displaying matching facial tattoos. The video has resurfaced throughout social media on numerous platforms, such as WBRZ: 'They say that I broke out. I didn't break out. I was let out,' the man said, denying allegations that he threatened a jail worker to facilitate the escape. He also claimed he fled because he faced a life sentence for crimes he did not commit. 'The reason why I left the jail is because these people were trying to give me a life sentence in both parishes for something that I did not do,' he said. Massey, 32, is one of 10 inmates who escaped the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. Eight have been recaptured, leaving Massey and Derrick Groves, 27, at large. Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair and another law enforcement source confirmed Monday that they were working to verify the video's authenticity. In the video, the man disputes the account of jail plumber Sterling Williams, who told police Massey threatened to 'shank' him. Williams is accused of shutting off water to a first-floor cell, enabling inmates to remove a toilet, crawl through a hole in the wall, and escape via a pipe chase, a loading dock, and over a fence before fleeing across an interstate. Police reports suggest Massey and others coordinated with accomplices in advance. More than a dozen people accused of aiding the escapees have been arrested. Massey, jailed in March for motor vehicle theft and domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, is also wanted in St. Tammany Parish for suspected kidnapping and rape. His criminal record, dating back to 2009, includes convictions for armed robbery, aggravated flight from an officer, felon in possession of a firearm, theft, simple criminal damage to property, and two instances of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment. The May escape marks his fifth, including two prior incidents of cutting off ankle monitors. In the video, Massey denies the domestic abuse charge, claiming it stemmed from a false report by a jealous girlfriend. He displayed paperwork he said proves she was attacked by others, not him. He also accused Louisiana authorities of corruption, alleging unfair prosecution and mistreatment in jail. Massey called on public figures, including President Donald Trump, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill, for help. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the jail, urged the man in the video to surrender. 'If the individual depicted in the video is indeed Antoine Massey, we strongly urge him to come forward and turn himself in to the proper authorities,' Hutson said in a statement, per Fox 8 in New Orleans. 'Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges. It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed.' Rafael Goyeneche, CEO of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, told Fox 8 that the video could provide valuable clues to help law enforcement officers locate the fugitive. 'Those videos, and the social media sites that he posted those on, are going to contain metadata that will enable law enforcement to determine who posted them on what platform using what devices,' he said. The manhunt for Massey and Groves, now in its third week, continues. A $50,000 reward per inmate, funded by Crime Stoppers, the FBI, and ATF, is offered for information leading to their capture.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Largest Antebellum Mansion in the South is Destroyed by Fire
The largest Antebellum mansion in the South, dating back to 1859, has been destroyed by a fire. The fire at Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, LA—just outside Baton Rouge—broke out around 2pm on Thursday, May 15 and reduced the 160-year-old landmark to rubble. It was first ignited in the south wing of the building, according to officials. Employees then reported seeing smoke after walking into a room of the museum on the second floor. Fire officials believe the fire first started in one of the bedrooms, and while it was doused in about two hours, it started back up again in the evening. Crews stayed on the scene overnight to put out hot spots. It took about about 30-40 firefighters from several parishes to put out the fire. The owners of Nottoway Plantation initially told officials that they wanted to rebuild in line with historic preservation, WAFB-TV reports. However, they now say they are unsure because the structure has been completely destroyed. The Nottoway Plantation is one of the largest antebellum homes in the South, and was built by enslaved people. The Nottoway Plantation is one of the largest historic mansions in the South. It's located on the famous River Road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The mansion, which sits on 31 acres, is known for its massive white columns and grand balconies that overlook the Mississippi River. On the other side, three-story rotundas overlooked the lawns, dotted with the large oak trees. The oldest tree on the property is about 162 years old—about the same age as the mansion, according to Nottoway's resort website. It's also a piece of American history that stirs debate and dark memories. The plantation was once owned by John Hampden Rudolph, a sugar planter. The 64-room, 53,000 square foot property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It's believed slaves helped build the home. By 1860, Randolph owned 155 enslaved Black people who helped maintain the plantation. During the Civil War, Nottoway Plantation was able to avoid any major damage. 'While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue,' said Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle, according to WBRZ. 'Since the 1980s, it has welcomed visitors from around the world who came to appreciate its architecture and confront the legacies of its era.' Throughout the decades, ownership of the property changed hands. Most recently, it was a hotel and resort, hosting wedding and special events. It also housed a museum with paintings and artifacts showing the history of the sprawling estate. 'As we process this tragedy, let us recommit ourselves to protecting and honoring our shared history — not just in grand structures, but in the values we carry forward,' said Daigle. Fire officials remain on the scene looking into the cause which remains under investigation. Nashville Lacks Large Apartments, but These 5 Other Cities Will Give You More Room for the Rent: Here's How To Find Them 'Sister Wives' Kody and Janelle Brown Open Up About 'Painful' Death of Son Garrison—and Why They Wanted To Move Him to North Carolina Ahead of His Death Protect Your Credit: How the End of Student Loan Relief Could Hurt Homebuyers—and What To Do About It
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Nottoway Resort Plantation fire: Massive blaze ‘might be the end' of White Castle mansion
A devastating fire erupted at the historic Nottoway Resort Plantation in White Castle, Louisiana, on Thursday. Significant damage was reported to the mansion-turned-resort. Aftermath videos and photos from the scene showed a burned-down mansion and fire crews working. The blaze, reported around 2 PM local time, began on the second floor and spread to the south wing and third-floor attic, according to local outlets WBRZ and the New Orleans Advocate. No guests were present, and no injuries were reported, but the full extent of the damage remains unclear as firefighting efforts continued into the evening. Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle told WBRZ that staff noticed smoke before finding a room engulfed in flames. Approximately 40 firefighters battled the fire, which consumed parts of the south wing. Daigle noted that the mansion's phased construction may preserve the central structure, offering hope for partial restoration. Read More: Albuquerque fire: Large structure blaze erupts near Montaño and Edith | Video The Nottoway, built in 1859 by enslaved labor for planter John Hampden Randolph, spans 31 acres and features 40 rooms, tennis courts, and iconic white columns overlooking the Mississippi River. Its three-story Rotunda and oak-draped lawns are a historic draw, per the resort's website. The Iberville Parish Fire & Emergency Services Department has not yet commented. The fire's cause is under investigation, and officials are assessing the structural impact on this National Register of Historic Places site. "This thing was built in 1859, now we might just see the end of it," Jordan Ward, a deputy with the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office, told The Advocate. According to local media reports, the White Castle Fire Department responded, Plaquemine, Bayou Goula, and other Iberville Parish municipal fire services responded to the fire. St. George and Baton Rouge and other departments arrived to assist as well.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Hairstylist slices a mom's hand open after giving her daughter, 11, a revenge cut for arriving late to appointment
A Louisiana hairstylist gave an 11-year-old girl a revenge cut after her mother refused to pay the $25 late fee. An unidentified mother and daughter arrived for their appointment at Draft Picks Barbershop in Baton Rouge at 5.10pm - ten minutes past their scheduled time. The stylist charges a $25 late fee for any client that is later than ten minutes past the scheduled time. 'My daughter said: "Well, your grace period states that I'm late after ten minutes. I was here at 5.10",' Conchota Singleton, the child's grandmother, told WBRZ. After refusing to pay the late fee, the hairstylist, who was also not identified, grabbed a pair of scissors and began cutting off the girl's braids, surveillance footage posted to Singleton's Facebook page showed 'There's ways to handle things. You can't take the law into your own hands,' Singleton told to WBRZ. The hairstylist had canceled the April 14 appointment and had asked them to come in the day after for the service, which the mother and daughter agreed to, the grandmother said in a Facebook post. She wrote: 'Now, keep in mind my daughter had to pay for the entire hairstyle services upfront. So she paid for the hair services and the stylist canceled y'all. 'So she braids my granddaughter's hair and when my daughter refused to pay $25 she threatens to take my granddaughter's hair down.' The stylist then picked up a pair of scissors and began cutting the girl's hair after a tense conversation with the mother. The mother, who is six months pregnant, then attempted to grab her daughter's hair and pull it away from the stylist and the pair began to tussle. While jerking the girl's head around, the stylist tried to cut the braids off her head as the mother attempted to push her hand away. The scuffle ending with the barber slicing the mother's hand with the scissors, the grandmother said. Eventually, a barber and another client across the salon intervened, before the girl managed to pull her mother out of the shop. Draft Picks told in a statement that the hairstylist no longer works for the company. 'We want to be clear: we do not condone or tolerate the actions that this stylist displayed,' owner, TJ Malveaux, told 'We extend our sincerest apologies to the client and family affected, and to anyone who may feel uneasy as a result of this situation. This incident does not reflect the values or standards we uphold at Draft Picks. 'At Draft Picks Barbershop, the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of our clients are our top priorities.'
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Hairstylist gives girl, 11, brutal revenge cut after she arrived for appointment 'late'
A Louisiana hairstylist gave an 11-year-old girl a revenge cut after her mother refused to pay the $25 late fee. An unidentified mother and daughter arrived for their appointment at Draft Picks Barbershop in Baton Rouge at 5:10pm - 10 minutes past their scheduled time. The salon charges a $25 late fee for any client that is later than 10 minutes past the scheduled time. 'My daughter said: "Well, your grace period states that I'm late after ten minutes. I was here at 5:10,"' Conchota Singleton, the child's grandmother, told WBRZ. After refusing to pay the late fee, the hairstylist, who was also not identified, grabbed a pair of scissors and began cutting off the freshly done braids on the preteen's head, surveillance footage posted to Singleton's Facebook page showed 'There's ways to handle things. You can't take the law into your own hands,' Singleton criticized to WBRZ. The hairstylist had canceled the April 14 appointment and had asked them to come in the day after for the service, which the mother and daughter agreed to, the grandmother said in a Facebook post. 'Now, keep in mind my daughter had to pay for the entire hairstyle services upfront. So she paid for the hair services and the stylist canceled y'all,' she wrote on the social platform. The salon charges a $25 late fee for any client that is later than 10 minutes past the scheduled time. They arrived at 5:10 and the stylist had canceled the appointment the day before 'So she braids my granddaughter's hair and when my daughter refused to pay $25 she threatens to take my granddaughter's hair down.' The stylist then picked up a pair of sheers and began cutting the girl's hair after a tense conversation with the mother. The mother, who is six months pregnant, then attempted to grab her daughter's hair and pull it away from the stylist and the pair began to tussle over the young girl's hair, surveillance showed. While jerking the girl's head around, the stylist tries to cut the long braids off her head as the mother tries to push her hand away, but the stylist continued anyway. Despite repeated attempted to get away from the scissors, the stylist continued to try to get the scissors in there to cut the girl's hair off, eventually cutting open the mother's hand, the grandmother said. Eventually, a barber and another client across the salon get up to break up the fight. And despite the men getting in the middle, the stylist doesn't let go of the girl's hair, surveillance showed. For several moments, the stylists have a standoff before she eventually lets go, ripping off the black cape around the girl's neck. The girl then pulled her mother out of the shop. Draft Picks told in a statement that the hairstylist no longer works for the company. 'We want to be clear: we do not condone or tolerate the actions that this stylist displayed,' owner, TJ Malveaux, told 'We extend our sincerest apologies to the client and family affected, and to anyone who may feel uneasy as a result of this situation. This incident does not reflect the values or standards we uphold at Draft Picks. 'At Draft Picks Barbershop, the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of our clients are our top priorities.'
