Closing arguments in the high-profile dual defamation trial between Johnny Depp other Amber Heard began Friday.

The trial began April 11 in Fairfax, Virginia, and was presided over by Judge Penney Azcarate.

Depp, 58, sued Heard, 36, for $50 million over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018. In the piece, she wrote about surviving domestic abuse without identifying her alleged abuser by name. Heard filed a $100 million countersuit against Depp in response.

In their respective testimonies during the trial, both Heard and Depp claimed the other abused them. The former couple, who met while filming 2011’s The Rum Diary and were married from 2015 to 2017, denied each other’s claims of abuse.

Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez, Depp’s closing arguments began. She described Heard as “violent,” “abusive” and a “deeply troubled person.”

“What is at stake in this trial is a man’s good name,” Vasquez said. “Even more than that, what is at stake in this trial is a man’s life — the life that he lost when he was accused of a heinous crime, and the life he could live when he is finally vindicated.”

ben chewanother member of Depp’s legal team, ended the closing arguments for Depp’s side of the case by saying this trial has never been about money or “punishing Ms. Heard” and instead is “about Mr. Depp’s reputation and freeing him from the prison in which he has lived for the past six years.”

Ben Rottenbornone of Heard’s lawyers, began closing arguments by asking jurors to think about the “message” he said Depp and his legal team are sending to Heard and victims of domestic violence.

“If you didn’t take pictures, it didn’t happen. If you did take pictures, they’re fake. If you didn’t tell your friends, you’re lying…,” he said in part. “And if you finally decide that enough is enough — you’ve had enough of the fear, enough of the pain and you have to leave to save yourself — you’re a gold digger. That is the message that Mr Depp is asking you to set.”

Rottenborn added that jurors should also consider the First Amendment: “It’s about freedom of speech. Stand up for it and reject Mr. Depp’s claims against Amber.”

Elaine Bredehoftanother member of Heard’s legal team, asked the jury to hold Depp “legally responsible for his actions and to fully and fairly compensate Amber for what he has done by creating this concept of a hoax for the defamation that he has committed.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

GREENLAND, Phyllis G. (Marshall) Age 96, of Everett, died on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She was the wife of the late Joseph A. Greenland.

Born in Somerville on June 15, 1925, she was the daughter of the late George Edward and M. Gertrude (Hollett) Marshall; and stepdaughter of the late Marion L. (Burden) Taylor. She lived in Melrose and Malden, and then was a longtime resident of Everett. Phyllis graduated from Everett High School Class of 1943, and from Bryant & Stratton Business College.

For 15 years, she worked as office manager for the Schrafft Candy Company and retired in 1984. She previously worked for eight years in Business Development for the Shawmut Bank and was purchasing agent for the Capitol Tire Company for two years.

Phyllis was a longtime active member of the North Shore Assembly of God, Malden, now the Freedom Hill Community Church. She joined the Church when she was 12 years old. She was Past Secretary of the Church, and for over 70 years served as Director of the Church Nursery. She also served as President of the Women’s Ministries and as Assistant Sunday School Superintendent.

Active in the community Phyllis was Past President of the Everett President’s Council and Past President of the Hamilton School PTA in Everett. She served as a volunteer with over 500 hours at the Whidden (CHA) Hospital in Everett.

She leaves a daughter Deborah Jane Greenland of Everett; a son Paul Edward Greenland of Missouri, and his late wife Deborah Hannah Greenland; and two granddaughters Barbara and Cheryl. She also leaves two great-grandchildren Guy and Lena.

Her Funeral Service will be held at the Freedom Hill Community Church, 77 Kennedy Drive, Malden, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 10 am, followed by Burial at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield. Visiting Hours will be held prior to the funeral services at the church from 9am -10am Donations may be made in Phyllis’s memory to the Freedom Hill Church, 77 Kennedy Drive, Malden, MA 02148.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cuffemcginn.com for the Greenland family.

Published by Boston Globe from May 27 to May 28, 2022.

A few simple mistakes in the first inning came back to bite fourth-seeded Tussey Mountain (10-10) during Thursday afternoon’s District Five Class 2A semifinal at top-seeded and unbeaten Everett. The Warriors (20-0) took advantage of those miscues to build an early advantage and then let junior ace Olivia Hillegas and the defense do the rest. Hillegas struck out nine and allowed just one hit as Everett rolled into next Wednesday’s championship game with a 5-0 victory.

Thursday’s win marked the Warriors third against the Titans this season. Everett squeezed out a 1-0 win at home April 11th and then crushed the Titans 16-1 in five innings April 25th at Saxton.

Everett will face second-seeded and defending District 5-2A champion Chestnut Ridge next Wednesday at Bedford in a rematch of last year’s district championship. Ridge advance to the title game after topping third-seeded Windber 3-0 in yesterday’s semifinal.

Tussey ace Alayna Clark scattered seven hits on the afternoon, while striking out three and yielding three walks. Clark also had the Titans’ lone hit, a one-out double in the fourth. She was the Titans only baserunner in the game.

“I was proud of the way we played today,” commented Tussey Mountain head coach Kevin Reed. “We had those mistakes early, but if you take those away and put some pressure on Everett, anything could happen. But, I have to credit Everett, they took advantage of those opportunities, plus we only had that one hit. Alayna pitched very well and kept us in the game. But, Everett also got the hits when they needed them.”

All three Tussey errors occurred in the first inning. Cloe Price opened the home half of the frame with a base hit and moved up on a dropped third strike to Ella Hinish, putting runners on first and third. Hillegas popped up, but Price scored when the throw back to the pitcher went over her head. Makenna Richards doubled home Hinish and a dropped fly ball in the outfield allowed Richards to score.

However, Clark and the Titan defense held the Warriors in check over the next four innings. Price had a double in the second for Everett and reached base again in the fifth. The first five innings of the game lasted just 45 minutes.

The warriors added their last two runs in the sixth. Richards belted her second double of the game and Marissa Hillegas singled to put runners on second and third after stolen bases. Tussey got the next two batters out, but Lainie Treece singled to right field to plate both runs.

“I’m pleased with what we put on the field this year,” concluded Reed. “It could have been better after we went 6-2 in the first eight games, we went through a little slump. But, the girls gave us their all. Overall, I can’t complain. We lose three seniors, but have our pitcher back next year. we just need to work on our hitting and get ready for next season.”

GRANBY, Mass. – The Granby baseball team Thursday broke open a two-run game with a 12 run fourth inning to earn a 16-2 win over Mount Everett in the semi-finals of the Western Massachusetts Class D tournament.

The Rams pounded out seven hits and took advantage of four Eagles errors in that rally.

“We will look to turn things around, refocus and get ready for the state tournament next week,” Mount Everett coach Dan Lanoue said.

The Eagles end the regular season with a record of 13-7.

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Stars are paying tribute to actors Ray Liotta after the news of his death was announced Thursday. The Goodfellas actor died at the age of 67, ABC News confirmed.

Here are some of the messages remembering the late actor and his impact:

Lorraine Bracco: “I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray. I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta.”

Jennifer Lopez: “Ray was my partner in crime on Shades of Blue … the first thing that comes to mind is he was so kind to my children… We lost a great today… RIP RAY… it’s so sad to lose you what seems way to soon… I will remember you always. Sending so much love and strength to your daughter Karsen, your family and all your loved ones.”

Adam Sandler: “Tremendous actor. Sweetheart of a dad. Such a great funny man to know. Prayers are with his whole family.”

Seth Rogen: “I can’t believe Ray Liotta has passed away. He was such a lovely, talented and hilarious person. Working with him was one of the great joys of my career and we made some of my favorite scenes I ever got to be in. A true legend of immense skill and grace.”

Josh Brolin: “My buddy. my friend How soon? Why? I’ll miss you. I will think about seeing you at Gold’s often, talking about what to do next, how to find something together. I always looked up to you — the work was always so good, but the man you were always stood out among the rest of them. Yes, I will miss you, pal. Until we meet again, wherever they say that is. #riprayliotta”

Taron Egerton: “I stepped on the set of Black Bird in May of last year deeply excited that I would be working with Ray Liotta and even more excited that he would be playing my father….When I first saw our show I text him telling him that I felt his performance was beautiful and that I was very proud of our work. His response was: ‘You made it easy to love my son.’ Ray, the feeling was so, so mutual. I want to miss you.”

Jamie Lee Curtis: “Ray Liotta has died. His work as an actor showed his complexity as a human being. A gentle man. So sad to hear.”

Viola Davis: “RIP Ray Liotta!! loved your work”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(UVALDE, Texas) — The accused mass shooter who carried out the deadly attack at a Uvalde, Texas, elementary school, allegedly committed animal abuse and displayed videos of the cruelty to users on a social media platform, according to two users who spoke to ABC News.

In some instances, the alleged animal abuse was committed in public and then posted for online viewing, and the 18-year-old suspect, Salvador Ramos, allegedly boasted about how he and his friends did it “all the time,” according to one user.

Ramos was killed in a shootout with law enforcement officers inside the Robb Elementary School after he allegedly killed 19 students and two faculty members. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that 17 other people were injured in the episode, including three law enforcement officers.

Abbott said the rampage started when the suspect shot and critically wounded his grandmother at her home before driving several blocks to the school, where he crashed a vehicle and engaged in a gunfight with law enforcement officers outside the school before going in and allegedly committing the massacre .

The allegations of animal abuse are similar to what authorities have learned about Payton Gendron, the white 18-year-old suspect who allegedly committed the May 14 racially motivated mass shooting at a Buffalo, New York supermarket that left 10 Black people dead.

According to a document authorities said the Buffalo suspect allegedly posted online and obtained by ABC News, Gendron allegedly detailed taking part in animal abuse in which he killed a cat, according to the document. Within the writings reviewed by ABC News, Gendron alleged that his mother gave him a box to bury the cat he said he killed.

The two users familiar with online posts attributed to Ramos told ABC News the suspect aired his alleged acts of animal abuse on the social media platform Yubo. They said an account they believed belonged to the suspect gunman would go on live video on the platform and play videos of him abusing animals, including cats.

One of the users identified herself to ABC News as Maya Xenokostas, while the other did not share their name.

A law enforcement source told ABC News that investigators are aware of the Yubo profile and are looking at it but can’t definitely confirm the account belongs to the suspect. ABC News has not independently confirmed that the alleged account belonged to the suspected shooter.

Yubo describes itself as “a social live streaming platform,” according to its website.

In a statement, a Yubo spokesperson said, “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims of the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Due to privacy regulations, we are not able to release specific user information outside of direct requests from law enforcement.”

One Yubo user graphically described to ABC News how Ramos would allegedly publicize the abuse, and would “put cats in plastic bags, suspend them inside, throw them at the ground and throw them at people’s houses.”

The user, who did not share their name with ABC News, said the alleged gunman “would display these videos while laughing and boasting about how him and his friends did it ‘all the time.””

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Everett Earl McElveen, 81, a resident of Tylertown, MS; passed away May 21, 2022 in Memphis, TN from a short battle with Glioblastoma.
He was born to Newton Noah McElveen and Sarah Louise Rushing on October 11, 1940 and raised in Tylertown, MS.
Mr. Everett graduated from Lexie High School in 1958 then married the love of his life, Nancy Laverne Blackwell in 1959. They raised a family in Gulfport, MS while he worked for Swift & Co. In 1990, they moved to Brandon, MS where he worked for Tyson Foods until he retired in 2002 and moved back to Tylertown. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church. His hobbies included raising Tennessee Walking Horses, gardening, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 42 years, Nancy McElveen; second wife Emily Brewer; father Newton McElveen; mother Sarah McElveen.
Survivors include his daughter, Melanie Kerr (Mike) of Arlington, TN; son Eddie McElveen of Maryville, TN; granddaughters Courtney Spellings (Drew) of Arlington, TN; Madison Cash (Jesse) of Piperton, TN; great granddaughter Adalyn Cash; brothers Jerry McElveen (Pat) of Tylertown, MS; Buster McElveen (Connie) of Tylertown, MS; sister Janice Thompson (Fred) of Flora, MS; sisters-in-law Mary Ann Boyd (Buddy) of Woodville, MS and Jeanette Blackwell of Braxton, MS; brother-in-law Dwight Blackwell of Byram, MS along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loving family.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 27, 2022 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Hartman Jones Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of life service at 1:00 PM. Rev. Jim Everett and Mark Wicker will officiate and burial will follow at Silver Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be: Drew Spellings, Jesse Cash, Greg McElveen, Chad McElveen, Kevin Brumfield and Alex Brumfield.
Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Lenoir, Bob Moliason, William Knight and William Rushing.

Published by Hartman-Jones Funeral Home – McComb on May 26, 2022.

(DALLAS) — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr delivered a powerful message on Tuesday after 19 children and two teachers were killed in a mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas: “We can’t get numb to this.”

In his pregame news conference before tip-off for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Kerr said “any basketball questions don’t matter” and instead addressed politicians in a plea for gun control.

“When are we going to do something?” Kerr yelled, slamming his fists on the table. “I’m tired. I’m so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there — I’m sorry. I’m tired of the moments of silence. Enough.”

Kerr, who has long been outspoken against gun violence, also referenced HR 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, a bill that would tighten background checks for private firearm transfers. The bill passed the US House of Representatives last year but has since stalled in the Senate, with conservative lawmakers, whose votes are required to overcome a filibuster, and Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin opposed to the legislation.

“There’s a reason why they won’t vote on it. To hold on to power,” Kerr said Tuesday. “So I ask you, [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell, I ask all of you senators who refuse to do anything about the violence and school shootings and supermarket shootings, I ask you: Are you going to put your own desire for power ahead of the lives of our children and our elderly and our churchgoers? Because that’s what it looks like. It’s what we do every week.”

Kerr’s father was shot dead in a reported terror attack in Beirut in 1984. Kerr has since spent much of his professional career using his platform to echo calls for gun law reform.

“I’m fed up,” he said Tuesday evening. “I’ve had enough. We’re going to play the game tonight, but I want every person here, every person listening to this — think about your own child or grandchild or mother or father, sister, brother — how would you feel if this happened to you today? ”

The Uvalde, Texas, shooting at Robb Elementary School happened just over a week after a suspected white supremacist was accused of killing 10 black shoppers at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, and 10 days after a gunman opened fire at a church in Laguna Woods , California, killing one.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

SUPINO, Yvonne A. At 96 years, of Harwich, May 24, 2022. Lifelong friend and companion of Josephine Scopa. Sister of Joseph Supino. Beloved Godmother of Jeffrey Scopa, Aunt of Margaret Scopa, and many other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 7 siblings. Vonnie served as an Assistant Register of Deeds for Middlesex County and was Head Administrator of the Somerville District Court. Her talents and creativity knew no bounds, as she was a gifted wood worker and furniture maker and had extraordinary sewing skills. She was an avid golfer and spent many winters in Florida in Del Ray and at the Villages. She cherished her summers in Harwich. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Vonnie’s Funeral Mass in Blessed Mother of the Morning Star Parish, Our Lady of Grace, 59 Nichols St., Everett-Chelsea on Friday, May 27 at 10 am Interment will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery, malden Arrangements by: Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home Everett 617.387.3120

Published by Boston Globe from May 25 to May 26, 2022.

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This evening the School District in Everett, Washington shared the following message from Ian B. Saltzman, the superintendent of Everett Public Schools regarding how to talk to kids about the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Here’s the message sent out.

May 24, 2022
Dear Everett Public Schools’ families:
There are no words to adequately express the deep sorrow I feel for the victims of today’s tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Every family should be able to send their child to school and expect them to come home. My heart is broken, and my thoughts are with the community at this unimaginable time.

This is difficult to process, as a parent I am struggling with you. Acts of violence such as these are especially disturbing and frightening because they could have happened anywhere. There are many things we as adults can do to reassure our students of their safety at school.

As our children learn from this event, it is important to know it may cause them to question their own safety in our schools. While we cannot give our students a guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen to them, we can reassure them that the adults around them will do everything in their power to keep them safe.

Families and staff are encouraged to visit the following resources to help talk with their kids about this tragic event.
Resources:

We will continue to support students by providing them with accurate information, opportunities for extra support if needed, and to keep our routines as normal as possible to help students feel secure. You can help your child by simply talking and listening to them.

We don’t always know how a student will be affected in a crisis, but you know your children the best of anyone. Due to previous similar events or losses, if you feel your child needs to visit with someone, please let your school know.

Sometimes the only good we can find in such a tragedy is how it reminds us to hug our loved ones
tighter and appreciate what we have. It also strengthens our resolve and sense of urgency around providing mental health supports for our students.

Stay safe and be well,

dr Ian B Saltzman

About myeverettnews

My Everett News is a hyperlocal news website featuring breaking news and events in Everett, WA. We also cover City of Everett information and items of interest to those who live and work in Everett. It’s written by Leland Dart a former Snohomish County based radio reporter born and raised in Everett.

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