T.I.'s Testimony Not In Vain

A Cincinnati man has been found guilty of murder in the 2006 shooting of the friend of Grammy Award-winning rapper T.I. Hosea Thomas was found guilty Wednesday of murdering T.I.'s entourage member, 26-year-old Philant Johnson. The 34-year-old Thomas was also convicted of felonious assault and illegally having a gun after a felony conviction. T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, testified last week in Thomas' trial. The rapper told jurors that he believes the bullets fired at his entourage during the gun battle two years ago in Cincinnati were meant for him. He wasn't injured.

Black Dynamite

Donda West's Nephew Under Investigation

A year after Kanye West's mother, Donda, 58, died while recovering from plastic surgery California authorities have launched a probe into the possible role of Donda West's nephew, Stephan Scoggins, 46. A registered nurse, Scoggins was supervising West's post-surgery care with West's assistant and a friend when, according to a source familiar with the situation, he left the house to attend a baby shower the day after West underwent breast augmentation and liposuction last Nov. 10. West died that evening at a Los Angeles hospital. At the time, the death of the rapper's mother was described by a family spokesman as "the result of complications from a cosmetic surgical procedure," a statement that placed intense scrutiny on West's surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams. But last January, a Los Angeles coroner ruled that West died of "multiple post-operative factors," effectively clearing Dr. Adams of responsibility. In this new development, an investigator with the California Department of Consumer Affairs has issued subpoenas asking individuals "to testify in the matter of the investigation of Stephan Scoggins."

Whitney Houston Sued By Stepmom

Whitney's stepmother, Barbara Houston says that while Whitney was the sole beneficiary of a $1 million insurance policy left by her late father, John Houston in 2003, Babs claims John's estate instructions called for those funds to be used to pay off the balance of the mortgage owed on his New Jersey condominium, with Barbara getting the remainder of the funds. Whitney disputes all of Barbara Houston's claims.

Michael Vick Pleads Guilty

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty Tuesday to a state dogfighting charge, a move that could make him eligible to leave prison early and potentially speed up a return to pro football. Vick, 28, arrived wearing wrist and ankle shackles, but they were removed by the time he entered the courtroom. The former Atlanta Falcons star also pleaded not guilty to a count of cruelty to animals, but that count was dropped under his plea deal. Vick's mother, Brenda Boddie, brother Marcus Vick and fiancee Kijafa Frink walked in together and sat together in the front row of the gallery with other family and friends. Vick's mother declined to comment to reporters but Marcus Vick acknowledged the family was glad the ordeal was nearly over. After the hearing, Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter approached Vick's mother and hugged her, saying, "At least some of this is over." Vick already is serving a 23-month sentence in Leavenworth, Kan. for bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in eastern Virginia's rural Surry County, southeast of Richmond. He also admitted to participating in the killing of several underperforming dogs. He's scheduled for release on July 20, 2009, and will serve three years of probation. The latest plea is important because it resolves the remaining charges against him, which is required under federal law if he is to move into a halfway house. He received a three-year suspended sentence Tuesday.

Kelis In Brief Airport Skirmish

Apparently Kelis was contracted to present at an awards show in Brazil but after accepting the money didn't fulfill her contract obligations so they ambushed her in the airport.

George Bush Pardons John Forté

Grammy-winning rapper John Forté's 14-year cocaine-smuggling sentence was commuted by President Bush last night after singer Carly Simon and Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch lobbied for him. The Brooklyn-born Forté was convicted of smuggling liquid coke into the country in 2000 after he was busted at Newark Airport. The former Fugees producer is serving time at the Fort Dix, NJ, federal prison.

Didn't Watch The AMAs Last Night

But I heard Kanye showed out. They say he won the American Music Award for best male rap/hip-hop artist but turned around and gave it to Lil Wayne, claiming that he should have won it last year.

A Word With DMX

Jaime Foxx

Chipped his front teeth for a movie role. His character in 'The Soloist' is a homeless, schizophrenic, musical genius living on the street of Los Angeles.

Jaime reveals, "I spent hours getting the nuances of the person, making him real. I pushed things a bit...put a gap in my teeth. Some might think I fucked up my grill for nothing but I just wanted to come up with something to make the part unique. I had one chipped out with a chisel."

Travis Wants A Child Support Cut

From the Atlanta Journal and Constitution:

Former pro football player Travis Henry, who fathered nine children by nine women, returned to DeKalb County Superior Court on Wednesday to try to reduce child support payments for one son. Henry wants to modify an order to pay $3,000 a month to the boy’s mother, Jameshia Beacham. His lawyer said the amount should be reduced now that Henry is unemployed —- and likely out of the National Football League for good. Atlanta attorney Randall M. Kessler said Henry was released by the Denver Broncos because of his age —- he’s 30 —- and because of an injury. “He’s got child support obligations across the country, and he’s got zero income,” Kessler told Judge Clarence Seeliger. Henry also has other expenses. He was arrested last month in an alleged cocaine deal, and was released after posting a $400,000 bond. Seeliger set the child support payments last year, when Henry was working as a running back. The judge also ordered Henry to establish a $250,000 trust fund by last spring. The judge’s order noted that Henry had squandered money, spending $100,000 for a car and $146,000 for jewelry, and said the fund was required as backup should Henry fail to make payments. Henry appealed that order, and the Georgia Court of Appeals recently agreed to hear the case. Robert Wellon, lawyer for the mother, argued against reducing the monthly payments. He asked for documentation about how much Henry has spent from a $3 million payment the player received from the Broncos this year. He also asked the judge for time to determine whether Henry’s dismissal from the Broncos was involuntary or was precipitated by Henry’s own actions. Wellon said that if Henry was dismissed due to his own actions, the child support payments should not be reduced. “Voluntariness is never a ground for modification,” he said. In June, when the Broncos dumped Henry, coach Mike Shanahan was quoted by the Rocky Mountain News as saying that Henry was “too inconsistent as a person.” “We have certain expectations about the way we do things,” Shanahan said at the time. “He didn’t meet those.”Seeliger agreed to Wellon’s request to seek more information. The next hearing has not been scheduled.

Maybe That's Why He's Always So Cranky

After leaving the crowd waiting two hours past show time at the Konig-Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany last week Kanye flounced on stage and announced, “I really need some p***y tonight!”

They Say

Jill Scott is knocked up and engaged to Atlanta drummer Lil John, not to be confused with Crunk Music producer Lil John. They say this will be John's fourth child and Jill his fourth baby mama. And in the most truest sign of a union meant to last, they tatted each other's names on their necks.

T.I.'s Testimony