Baltimore Riots: Erupts Into Violence, Chaos

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Baltimore Riots: Erupts Into Violence, Chaos

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Violence erupts in Baltimore after Freddie Gray's funeral.

BALTIMORE - CNN Breaking News - #BaltimoreRiots, April 27, 2015 - A state of emergency has been declared and the National Guard activated after the US city of Baltimore, Maryland erupted in violence on Monday.



Maryland Governor, Lawrence Hogan declares state of emergency in Baltimore as protests grow violent. Hundreds of rioters looted shops and burned buildings following the funeral of a 25-year-old black man called Freddie Gray who died after he was injured in police custody.

At least 15 police officers were injured in direct confrontations with the gangs of black youths. Maryland Governor Lawrence Hogan announced the emergency measures including the imposition of a curfew beginning Tuesday night.



“I’ve not made this decision lightly. The National Guard represents a last resort in order to restore order. Look, people have the right to protest and express their frustration, but Baltimore city families deserve peace and safety in their communities.”



Gray’s death latest at the hands of police.



Freddie Gray was arrested on April 12 when he fled from police in a high crime area. He was carrying a switchblade knife, and he was put inside a transport van to be taken to a police station.



At some point, Gray suffered a spinal injury that led to his death a week later. Two officers have been accused of failing to belt him into his seat securely and of not giving him timely medical attention.



Gray’s death has sparked days of street protests and raised tensions in Baltimore. His family however has condemned the violence.



The killing of several unarmed black men by white police officers in recent months and decisions by grand juries not to indict the officers have triggered large-scale protests across the United States.



Watch Breaking News on CNN with Closed Captions - http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/27/us/baltimore-unrest/index.html



See the photos - Powerful Images From The Baltimore Riots

Deaf Justice In Detroit

Monday, April 27, 2015

Deaf Justice In Detroit

VIDEO [CC] - Deaf people are serving as jurors in courts across the area of Detroit, Michigan.



DETROIT (WXYZ) - Justice is supposed to be blind, but what if it’s also Deaf? The 7 Investigators have learned that jurors who are Deaf are serving on juries more and more.



Judges say in the past, Deaf jurors usually did not make it onto a jury to render a verdict. They’re thrilled that the courts are becoming more inclusive, and as we discovered, Deaf jurors are also changing the dynamics of deliberations.



Inside the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in downtown Detroit, judges hold more than 500 jury trials every year. In this recent armed robbery trial, not everyone inside Judge Timothy Kenny’s courtroom could actually hear the witnesses.



That’s because for the first time in more than 18 years on the bench, Judge Kenny had the opportunity to seat a Deaf juror to help decide this case.

Watch Detroit WXYZ with Closed Captions - HERE.



“I think it’s important for people who do have disabilities to think that this is not a segment of their life that they’re shut out from,” said Judge Kenny.



The court had two highly trained and certified sign language interpreters ready to go the day Juror #13 arrived for jury duty. University Translators Services provided the interpreters for the trial.



They are sworn in and the judge gives them clear instructions that when they’re interpreting inside the jury room for deliberations: they can never express their own views on the evidence.



“They recognize that's what their role is, and they’re not there to provide any editorial comment,” said Judge Kenny.



After 4 days of testimony, juror #13 - the Deaf juror was chosen to deliberate with 11 others. They found the defendant in this case not guilty. “I think every Deaf person has the ability to serve on a jury,” said Leah Scarpace. Read more wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/more-and-more-deaf-jurors-are-serving-in-local-courts

Deaf Man Is Convicted Of Murdering His Girlfriend

Friday, April 3, 2015

Deaf Man Is Convicted Of Murdering His Girlfriend

Exclusive: Deaf Harlem man convicted of fatally stabbing girlfriend 38 times in New York City.

NEW YORK POST - It took a Manhattan jury less than two hours Friday to convict a Deaf Harlem man of murder for stabbing his Deaf girlfriend 38 times then stuffing her corpse into the bottom of a 55 gallon drum.



After a gruesome month-long trial, jurors deliberated for an hour and half before finding Bismark Lithgow, 26, guilty of killing Francis Pellerano Feb 28 of 2013.



The barrel where the body his girlfriend was found.



Lithgow became increasingly controlling after Pellerano moved into his Harlem apartment he shared with his grandmother, and accused her of cheating, prosecutor Ryan Hayward argued at trial.



As revenge for the perceived betrayal, Lithgow viciously butchered the petite brunette, wrapped her tiny body into a sheet then stuffed it into the bottom of the blue drum.



Pellerano’s corpse festered in his room for two days until his grandmother discovered the drum’s sickening contents.



The defense conceded that Lithgow committed the heinous crime but argued he was in a state of extreme emotional disturbance caused by a frigid mother and brain damage from a childhood illness.



He’s expected to be sentenced April 1st and faces up to life in prison... Read more: nypost.com/2015/03/06/deaf-man-convicted-of-fatally-stabbing-girlfriend-38-times/

Deaf Fighter Matt Hamill Saves Baby On Highway

Deaf Fighter Matt Hamill Saves Baby On Highway

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: A Deaf UFC fighter, Matt Hamill saves baby on highway, female driver passed out on the video goes viral.



UTICA, NY - We are receiving reports that shortly after noon today, Matt ‘the Hammer’ Hamill helped save two lives on an active highway in Utica.



Hamill, who withdrew this past weekend from his scheduled light heavyweight title eliminator bout against Thiago Silva at WSOF 19 in Phoenix, Arizona due to illlness, was driving in New York today when a car drove past him going the opposite direction it was supposed to.



The mixed martial artist who was born Deaf, knew something was wrong and immediately turned his truck around in pursuit of the vehicle. Hamill was able to catch up to the car and pin it down to a crawl before it was finally came to a stop.

‘Hammer’ could not pry the door open so he broke through the glass with his fists. Much to his surprise he found an infant in the back seat while a female driver occupied the front seat, unresponsive and unconscious.



Police arrived on scene to confirm the woman was under the influence of alcohol and drugs which led to her arrest. SOURCE



Related Post:

UFC 130 - Matt Hamill Profile - Mentally Tough

Deaf UFC Fighter - "The Hammer" - Official Teaser

Only Deaf Fighter To Compete Under The UFC Banner

ZVRS: Exclusive Interview With Matt Hamill

Matt Hamill At UFC 152, Win Over Roger Hollett

Deaf Fighter Matt Hamill Saves Baby On Highway

Deaf Student Charged For Sexual Conduct

Deaf Student Charged For Sexual Conduct

Exclusive Report: South Carolina School for Deaf and Blind student faces sex charge.

SPARTANBURG, SC - A Columbia teen is facing a criminal sexual conduct with a minor charge in connection with an incident at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind in Spartanburg, according to a sheriff's office report.



Deputies said they were contacted by a school official about a student who sneaked into a female dorm and, once inside, convinced a 12-year-old girl to have sex, according to the incident report.



The report said the incident occurred between Jan. 5 and Jan. 9.



Deputies said 18-year-old Montravious Jamal James is charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor.



The school released the following statement to FOX Carolina:



Our first priority is always the safety and security of the students. We immediately contacted the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office upon learning of these allegations and have fully cooperated with them throughout the investigative process. SOURCE



Mugshot Info: Montravious Jamal James Mugshot

Sign Language With Cats Video Goes Viral

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Sign Language With Cats Video Goes Viral

VIDEO [CC] - Kim Silva teaches Deaf cat and two others in sign language has gone viral on the social media.



TECH TIMES - In the cats vs. dog debate, many pet owners believe dogs are superior because they know how to perform tricks. But never let it be said that cats can't learn a thing or two.



Take for example this one woman who taught her cats how to communicate by using sign language. Signing cats? Yep, this is probably one of the best cat videos we've seen in a while.



Kim Silva, a retired teacher from the American School for the Deaf, wanted to adopt a cat after losing her feline friend in 2009. Silva and her husband John fell in love with a white Siamese cat named Bambi on Petfinder who was Deaf.

Since the couple, who are both hard of hearing themselves, already have two cats, Silva decided to teach her pets sign language so that they all would be able to communicate with her when Bambi would arrive at her Connecticut home from a rescue shelter in Texas.



"Guess I missed the kiddies so I began teaching the kitties," Silva says.



Silva started teaching her two cats named Bobcat and Bear sign language, which resulted in opposite outcomes. Bobcat learned the language quickly, going from a cat who only communicated with other cats to becoming an extrovert who loves showing off his skills. Bear, on the other hand, was older and since you can't teach an old dog new tricks, he did not pick up the skills at all... Read more: techtimes.com/articles/woman-teaches-cats-speak-through-sign-language.htm



Related Post:

Cat Saying 'Feed Me' In Sign Language

Sign Language With Cats Video Goes Viral

Girl & Deaf Grandparents Killed In House Fire

Monday, March 30, 2015

Girl & Deaf Grandparents Killed In House Fire

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO [CC] - Girl and Deaf grandparents killed in house fire hours before rape trial in the small town of Ohio.



YOUNGSTOWN, OH - A northeast Ohio prosecutor says a 10-year-old girl died in a house fire early Monday morning, hours before a man suspected of raping her was scheduled to go on trial.



A total of three people were reported dead by the Youngstown Fire Department after the blaze on the city’s south side.



Neighbors in the 3600-block of Powers Way say they heard a loud explosion around 3:30 a.m.; moments later, they saw flames rip through the two-story home. “I looked out the window and the fire broke out from the bottom of the basement, just whoosh. And it was totally on fire.”



Dozens of firefighters were needed to control the flames. When it was out, firefighters found the bodies of two adults and their 10-year-old granddaughter. The adults are identified as Billy and Judy Schmidt, both in their 60s.







“Everybody who knew Billy loved him. He had friends all over the United States, he could probably go anywhere in the country and probably run into somebody that he knew,” said Connie Glozier, the victim’s sister.



The Schmidts, who were both Deaf, were raising their granddaughter. Neighbor Pamela Jones says the girl played with her grandchildren.



“I just can’t believe that something like this would happen,” said Jones. “I’ve been crying all day.”



Adding to the tragedy of this fire, the 10-year-old girl was the victim of an alleged sexual assault. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Robert Seman, appeared in court this morning.



“On literally the eve of trial, hours before this trial was supposed to begin, this victim dies in a fire under suspicious circumstances, at the very least,” said Mahoning County Assistant District Attorney Stephanie McLaughlin. “Only 10 years old, somebody who did not deserve these things that happened to her.”



Seman has not been charged in connection with the fire, but his bond was revoked and he was taken to jail. If convicted on the rape charges, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison... Read more: pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/30/fire-officials-3-dead-in-youngstown-house-fire/

Deaf Father Shot By Racist Neighbor

Deaf Father Shot By Racist Neighbor

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: A Father was called 'deaf and dumb' before being shot by other father in the neighborhood of Florida.



JACKSONVILLE, FL - The victim in a neighborhood shooting, a Deaf man, said the shooter mocked his disability before firing the gun. The victim is recovering after his neighbor shot him Sunday evening, police said.



The man's wife said she was watching from her window when everything unfolded. She said her husband got shot and fell on the ground. Surveillance video recorded screams in the Hunter's Way Apartments Sunday evening.



"I mean, instantly everybody was in panic mode," said Richard Royal. Royal was one of of the neighbors who rushed in to help 50-year old Allen Zogleman after a bullet grazed his head. His cameras captured the moments leading up to the shooting. "I don't think no one expected he was going to pull a gun out," said Royal.

It started with some sort of incident between Zogelman's and the suspect's children arguing. When Zogleman tried to explain he's Deaf, he was shot. Neighbors say the bloody sight unfolded in front of dozens of children. One of those kids was Zogleman's 4-year-old daughter.



Zogleman and his wife are both Deaf.



Action News' Brittany Jones went to talk to them and exchanged notes. His wife said the suspect's son struck her daughter in the head with a pole, and Zogleman yelled to her through their apartment window and went downstairs to talk to the boy's dad. She said that then, the man got into her husband's face, yelling. She said the suspect said her husband was "deaf and dumb," then shot him and left.



The neighbor's surveillance video shows a white car speeding off right after the shooting happened, but no one has seen the suspect since.



Actions News obtained photos of Zogleman's injuries. "Somebody like that shouldn't be loose on the streets. To pull a gun that fast and shoot somebody an unarmed man; an unarmed Deaf man," said Royal... Read more: actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/family-father-was-called-deaf-and-dumb-being-shot-/nkh8B/

Deaf Gay Man's Video Project 'I’m From Driftwood'

Deaf Gay Man's Video Project 'I’m From Driftwood'

VIDEO [CC] - A Deaf man has shared his story of learning to embrace his identity, to encourage others to come forward.



Richard Mesich, from Portage, Indiana, shared his story via American Sign Language for LGBTQ video project "I’m From Driftwood"



Mr Mesich explained how he “felt like the only Deaf Gay in the world” after coming out and struggled to find a place where he could fit in.



He explained how he came out to his mother over instant messanger, saying: “Before my 21st birthday, I was talking to my mum on AOL instant messenger. We were talking and my mum asked me, ‘Are you gay? Are you interested in boys?’

“I was thinking and realized it is time for me to open up, so I told my mom, ‘Yes, I am gay.’



“She said, ‘Okay, that’s good I am happy to hear that from you. I knew you were gay since you were a little kid’.



He continued: “Years later, after college, I started dating. I dated a few guys on and off. It was good and enjoyable.



“I met this one person and he was hearing. We went out for dinner, and we could communicate a little but sometimes it’s hard with a hearing person. Mostly I would text on my phone to communicate.



“It was a very nice time, as he was very patient and understanding. But I realized that being Deaf and gay can be difficult with gay hearing people that I had dated.



“Sometimes they don’t understand about Deaf Culture or know about Deaf Culture. Also they don’t know that sign language is my first language. Some of them understood, but some of them didn’t fit in with Deaf culture.



“Comparing high school to where I am now, I used to feel lost and isolated. I didn’t know who I was.



“Now I feel confident, happy and know who I am. I’m comfortable with hearing and Deaf people, it doesn’t matter to me.



“Now I know who I am but I am not in a rush to look for love. All that matters are my family and friends who I enjoy being with.



“Whoever is out there will be very supportive and love who I am. I want it to be something that lasts.”



He added: “That’s the reason why I want to tell my story. If someone out there is Deaf and gay, I want them to know that there are other people who are Deaf and gay... Read more: pinknews.co.uk/2015/03/29/watch-deaf-gay-man-shares-his-journey-to-find-acceptance/

The Sexual Abuse of Deaf Women in Philippines

Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Sexual Abuse of Deaf Women in Philippines

The sexual abuse of Deaf women: a human rights scandal in the provinces of Philippines.

MANILA - According to the former Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC), one out of every three Deaf women in the Philippines is sexually harassed or raped. Half of the cases happen in the victim’s own home, with neighbors and even family members being the most common perpetrators. Despite the general decrease in rape cases throughout the country, rape remains the most widespread crime against Deaf women.



Imagine living in a home that is also, strangely, a foreign country, where you can neither fully understand what is going on, let alone be understood. Now imagine your life was like that 24 hours a day every single day. This is the plight of women like Anica and Diane, two Deaf women in their 20s, who like many other Deaf women have been sexually abused.



Anica, born Deaf, is a petite woman with a bubbly disposition. But behind the sunny demeanor lies a deep scar. During her teenage years, she was sexually molested by an uncle. The case remains unreported because she is too afraid to file a report.



Living in the same compound as her uncle, she harbors a terrible fear not only of family retaliation but also of being misunderstood by the police, given a lack of trustworthy interpreters. She has little motivation to push through with her case.



Many abused Deaf women share Anica’s plight. Desperate, they feel there is nowhere to turn for help. Most are hesitant to confide in family members because of long-standing communication barriers.



Diane, both taciturn and mercurial, is another survivor. Linguistically isolated since early childhood, she can only communicate through gestures and drawings. Her chronicle is heart wrenching: she was trafficked from her rural hometown to a large city, where she was forced to work in the sex trade, from which after several harrowing experiences she finally escaped.



Then she went through what the system had to offer: Diane was shuffled from one government agency to another; lived in a shelter for women and children; was put into foster care for one and half years before her family was found and she was eventually returned home.



Tragically, these are not anomalies. Indeed, the numbers in this context are genuinely disturbing: according to the former Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC), one out of every three Deaf women in the Philippines is sexually harassed or raped. Half of the cases happen in the victim’s own home, with neighbors and even family members being the most common perpetrators. Despite the general decrease in rape cases throughout the country, rape remains the most widespread crime against Deaf women.



To press charges against her traffickers, Diane would have needed an accredited interpreter to give her testimony (otherwise, the authorities might deem it hearsay), but she was not provided with one. Indeed, throughout her entire stay at the shelter, she had no access to any interpreters at all.



Diane also appears to be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but has never been diagnosed or treated because her deafness makes communication a constant challenge.



In a 2012 report by the PDRC, it was noted that a lack of awareness and sensitivity in dealing with disabled persons continuously bogs down our legal and judicial systems. For example, the inappropriateness of assigning male interpreters for female victims of rape and sexual violence may cause further trauma... Read more: philstar.com/sexual-abuse-deaf-women-human-rights-scandal

Deaf Pilot Gets License In Ohio

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Deaf Pilot Gets License In Ohio

Exclusive: Deaf woman pilot gets license that not going to stop her from taking to the sky.



LANCASTER, OH - Learning to fly is no easy feat, but Lancaster native Jenny Hurst was not going to let being Deaf stop her from taking to the sky.



From a young age, Hurst dreamed of being a pilot like her grandfather, a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. She has always been drawn to flying, she said, and before 9/11, one of her favorite things to do was to watch planes take off from Port Columbus International Airport. In her younger years, she went as far as telling boyfriends plane-watching was her preferred way to spend a date.



Aware of that desire, Hurst’s husband of 17 years, Adam, looked into flight lessons at Sundowner Aviation at the Fairfield County Airport for his wife, who has been Deaf since the age of 2. Officials there agreed to take her on, and one year later, after fitting in two to three hours of flight instruction per week, Hurst got her pilot license. She took her first solo flight July 18.



On Sunday, Hurst took her family up in the plane for the first time, although the family of six could not all fit in one flight. Hurst hopes to become registered in instrument flight rules so she can be allowed to fly larger planes that will fit her entire family.



Another use for the pilot license may be flying materials from suppliers to Hammock Gear, the backpacking outfitter the Hursts own in Lancaster. While Hurst would love to be a pilot for hire, she said she is still exploring her limits as a Deaf pilot and her abilities with communication... Read more: lancastereaglegazette.com/story/news/local/2015/03/24/deaf-pilot-gets-license-lancaster/

Deaf Teacher Aide Sentenced 10 Years For Sexual Assault

Deaf Teacher Aide Sentenced 10 Years For Sexual Assault

Exclusive: Teaching assistant gets 10 years for sexually assaulting Deaf student in Hawaii.



HONOLULU - A state judge sentenced former Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind teaching assistant Alfie S. Lumabas to 10 years in prison Tuesday for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student at the school.



State Circuit Judge Rom A. Trader declined the city prosecutor's request to impose restitution to pay for the girl's counseling because that expense is covered by a settlement to a separate federal lawsuit.



Lumabas, 38, agreed to serve a full 10-year prison term when he pleaded guilty in January to two reduced counts of second-degree sexual assault in a deal with the prosecutor. Ten years is the maximum penalty for second-degree sexual assault.



A September 2013 indictment charged him with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, which each carry a mandatory 20-year prison term.



Lumabas is legally Deaf. Through a sign-language interpreter, he declined to make a statement Tuesday before Trader handed down his sentence.



His victim, now 24, and who is also legally Deaf, had plenty to say through her own sign-language interpreter. SOURCE

Deaf Football Lawsuit For Discrimination

Monday, March 23, 2015

Deaf Football Lawsuit For Discrimination

VIDEO: Family of Deaf child sues football association for discrimination in Minnesota.



MINNEAPOLIS, MN - A Fridley family filed suit this week against the Spring Lake Park Panther Youth Football Association over their Deaf son’s participation in the league. They believe the nonprofit should’ve paid for interpreters and allowed the family to use a special drum to signal the start of play.



Nine-year-old Dov Nathanson says he loves to play football. “I just think it’s cool. I love to tackle people it’s exciting,” he said.



Dov and and his brother Galvin are both Deaf, and they’ve played football with hearing children for years. But last year, the football association said he and his brother Galvin could no longer use a special drum that helps them know when the play is starting.

“Without it, I couldn’t feel it i couldn’t feel the vibration,” Dov said. “I was never ready for the play.”



Parents David and Gloria Nathanson are also upset that the association said they wouldn’t pay for an interpreter for their son’s last year. They say it’s the association’s responsibility.



“We were very frustrated nobody would listen,” David Nathanson said. “It was like we didn’t have a voice.”



Phil Richard, President of the Spring Lake Park Panther Youth Football Association, says the drum made it interfered with the game for other players, and that the family should be responsible for providing their own interpreter.



“It really just comes down to funding. It’s expensive,” Richard said. “We finished out year with $4,000. The cost of an interpreter is double that, and the law, we feel, protects us from that.”



Both Dov and Galvin plan to register for football again this year. The family says they want the policy changed–to allow Deaf players fair play.



“We’re just hoping that in the future that we will feel included,” Gloria Nathanson said.



Also mentioned in the lawsuit is a claim that David Nathanson was denied the opportunity to coach either of his sons teams last year, which he believes is because he’s also Deaf. He had coached three previous years. SOURCE

Deaf Man Jailed With No Access To Interpreter

Deaf Man Jailed With No Access To Interpreter

VIDEO: Deaf immigrant jailed for stealing iPad that wasn't stolen and no access to interpreter service in Virginia.



ARLINGTON, VA - He knew he was in jail, but he didn't know why. Eventually, Abreham Zemedagegehu learned that he'd been accused of stealing an iPad, an iPad whose owner later found it. He spent the next six weeks in jail, unable to communicate with his jailers because he is Deaf. He described a frightening, isolated experience in which medical procedures were performed without his consent and he feared for his safety.



Zemedagegehu sued the Arlington County sheriff last month in federal court, saying his treatment failed to meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.



"I felt like I was losing my mind," Zemedagegehu said through an interpreter in an interview at his lawyer's office. "I thought Virginia would give me an interpreter and they said no. That's why I felt lost."

Zemedagegehu, who is homeless, is a U.S. citizen who was born in Ethiopia. He grew up using Ethiopian Sign Language. He has learned American Sign Language, but he has never learned more than rudimentary written English.



Maj. Susie Doyel, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, which runs the jail, declined to comment on the specific allegations. She generally defended the jail's ability to handle Deaf inmates and others with disabilities, and said several deputies in the jail are proficient in sign language.



But she also acknowledged that communication with a Deaf inmate is more problematic in cases where the inmate can't communicate in written English.



In court papers filed Monday, lawyers for the sheriff ask a judge to dismiss the case, arguing that even if Zemedagegehu's allegations are true, they fail to show intentional discrimination because they attempted various different ways to communicate with him, including handwritten notes.



And even if the discrimination were intentional, the lawyers write that it would not violate federal law because there is a rational basis for the discrimination: "it takes extra resources and creates additional security considerations to bring in an ASL interpreter," they write... Read more: abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/deaf-immigrant-jailed-weeks-access-interpreter

TV Producer Arrested For Murder Of Deaf Sister

Thursday, March 19, 2015

TV Producer Arrested For Murder Of Deaf Sister

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO [CC] - Talk-Show producer arrested in connection with death of Deaf, partially blind sister.



LOS ANGELES - Television producer Jill Blackstone was released from custody Wednesday after her arrest in connection to the death of her Deaf, partially blind sister, authorities said.



About 12:40 p.m. Saturday, the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to a home in the 12000 block of Landale Street in Studio City, said Los Angeles police Lt. Bob Toledo.



Blackstone’s sister Wendy Blackstone, 49, was found unconscious in an enclosed garage where carbon monoxide had filled the room, Toledo said. A dead animal also was found in the garage.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate Wendy Blackstone, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of her death has not been determined pending further investigation, including toxicology tests, according to the coroner’s office.



Jill Blackstone, 52, was arrested Monday night on suspicion of first-degree murder, according to arrest records.



A suicide note recovered at the home was believed to have been penned by Jill Blackstone, not her late sister, according to the website TMZ, which first reported the arrest.



Blackstone was released from custody about 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to jail records. Prosecutors have not filed charges against her, Toledo said.



The Los Angeles County district attorney's office did not respond to an after-hours request for comment. Jill Blackstone also did not immediately respond to several requests for comment.



She has produced numerous television shows, including the “Rosie O’Donnell Show” and the “Sally Jessy Raphael Show,” according to her personal website. She also produced a 1993 episode of “The Jerry Springer Show,” according to the Internet Movie Database. SOURCE

Eurovision Sign Language Interpreter Is A Web Hit

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Eurovision Sign Language Interpreter Is A Web Hit

VIRAL VIDEO: Sweden's Eurovision finalist was chosen at the weekend but for many it was the bespectacled 48-year-old who signed the songs for Deaf people who stole the show.



Sweden's Tommy Krangh's silky dance moves quickly became a huge hit on social media with millions watching his video on Facebook and YouTube.



It takes a lot to steal the show from the notoriously flamboyant Eurovision entries, but this Swedish sign language interpreter's energetic moves and expressive gestures have managed to do just that.



Tommy Krångh has become an overnight sensation in Sweden after putting on the performance of his life, interpreting pop singer Magnus Carlsson's attempt to enter Eurovision.

But while Carlsson's upbeat tune may have failed to impress audiences in the Scandinavian country, being voted ninth out of 12 entries vying to represent at the annual competition, many are now calling for 48-year-old Krångh to take the stage for Sweden in Vienna this May.



The video of Krångh's exuberant interpretation has been shared thousands of times in Sweden, and across the world.



The delighted interpreter has told Swedish newspapers he was 'thrilled' with the reaction and has been 'love-bombed' on Twitter by people who enjoyed his energetic performance, even getting the odd marriage proposal.



'It´s been absolutely amazing,' he told MailOnline. 'I´ve been love-bombed from a thousands of people. People are even proposing to marry me. This is something I could never imagine.



'It's a once in lifetime experience after being a signer for so many years. I love that sign language gets so much attention at the moment.' ... Read more: dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2997019/Swedish-TV-signer-hilarious-interpretation-country-s-Eurovision-wannabe-sweeps-web.html



Related Terps Goes Viral:

Sign Language Interpreter Goes Viral During Ebola Press Conference

Lydia Callis: Bloomberg's Interpreter Goes Viral

De Blasio's Deaf Interpreter Steals Spotlight

Cyclone Sign Language Guy Goes Viral

Eurovision Sign Language Interpreter Is A Web Hit

Deaf Man's Neighbourhood Learns Sign Language

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Deaf Man's Neighbourhood Learns Sign Language

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO [CC] - Entire neighbourhood learns sign language so they can talk to Deaf man and it moves him to tears.



This video shows the heartwarming moment a Deaf man realised an entire neighbourhood has learned sign language just for him.



Muharrem is shown wandering through his neighbourhood with his sister Ozlem meeting strangers who surprise him with their communication skills.



In the footage, filmed in Instanbul, Turkey, the siblings set out for for what Muharrem thinks is just going to be a normal day. But when they come across a man in a local shop who unexpectedly greets him with sign language, he knows the day is going to be anything but ordinary.

In one scene Muharrem bumps into a woman who apologises to him in sign language, and when they get into a cab, the driver signs "hello" to them. They are then dropped off in a public square where a group of neighbours greet the pair in sign language. Eventually Muharrem is moved to tears at the number of people willing and able to communicate with him.



The video was filmed using secret cameras for an advert organised by Samsung to promote its video call centre for the hearing impaired. The firm teamed up with an ad agency and spent a month setting up cameras around his neighborhood. SOURCE

ISIS Using Sign Language To Recruit Deaf Terrorists

Monday, March 9, 2015

ISIS Using Sign Language To Recruit Deaf Terrorists

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO - ISIS militants are using sign language to show that even people with disabilities can wage jihad for the Islamic State, a report said.



NEW YORK POST - In their latest recruitment video, titled “From Who Excused To Those Not Excused,” a pair of Deaf and mute fighters brandishing machine guns issued threats and urged Westerners to join their campaign of terror, NBC News reports.



The extremists claim to be working as traffic police in the Iraqi city of Mosul, which has become an ISIS stronghold in recent months. They are wearing black jumpsuits and military equipment fitted with handcuffs and ammunition as they speak about their desire to “slaughter” their enemies and radicalize others who will do the same.



Using both Arabic and English subtitles, the video begins with the statement: “We, the deaf and mute, direct our message to the Islamic world.”



“To the Muslims in Europe, both Arab and non-Arab, the way is open before you for you to come to the land of the Kilafah,” one of the militants continues, using sign language.

“The Islamic State is expanding…and we say to America, Britain, Italy and France, who have frantically mobilized against the Muslims, and we say to the rulers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, who have allied with them…the Messenger said, ‘We have only come to you with slaughter,’ and we will surely come and slaughter you, by Allah’s permission.”



Alex Kassirer, a researcher at the global security firm Flashpoint Intelligence, says the video “represents an attempt by the group to recruit other physically or otherwise impaired individuals, as well as demonstrates the multifaceted responsibilities of those in its ranks,” according to NBC News. He added that it now proves “even traffic police in the Islamic State have a dual functionality, also serving in military roles.” ... Read more: http://nypost.com/2015/03/09/isis-using-sign-language-to-recruit-deaf-terrorists/



Related Post:

One-Eyed Deaf Man Fights With The Syrian Army

Deaf Army Rebel In The Syrian Civil War

Deaf Militants Releases ISIS Propaganda Video

ISIS Using Sign Language To Recruit Deaf Terrorists

Deaf Militants Releases ISIS Propaganda Video

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Deaf Militants Releases ISIS Propaganda Video

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO - The Islamic State media branch has released a new video for Deaf Muslims, calling for all disabled Muslims in Europe to join jihad.



Men claim to be Deaf brothers working as traffic police in Mosul, Iraq. They show off their job while urging European Muslims to go and fight and the fighters pledge to 'slaughter' Britain, America and their Arabian allies, at the end of the film they are shown firing missiles at Kurdish troops.



The Deaf militants has released a new propaganda video showing two Deaf fighters speaking in sign language and urging more Westerners to join the terror group.



The video is titled 'From Who Excused To Those Not Excused' - suggesting that disability is no excuse for not serving for ISIS.



In the five minute clip the two men, who are Deaf and brothers, are shown working as traffic police in Iraq's second city Mosul, which has been under ISIS control since last summer.

Speaking in sign language with English and Arabic subtitles, one of the men says: 'I am a deaf mute who works in the traffic police in the Islamic State with my brother Abu Abdur-Rahman.



'As for my message to the apostate peshmerga (Kurdish fighters) we will strike you soon, by Allah's permission. I am living in a land in which Allah's sharia is established.'



Wearing black jumpsuits, ammunition pouches and carrying what appear to be M16 assault rifles, the pair also speak about their desire to 'slaughter' their enemies including Britain, America, France and Italy, saying 'you will not stop our advance'... Read more with photos: http://dailymail.co.uk/news/article



Related Post:

One-Eyed Deaf Man Fights With The Syrian Army

Deaf Army Rebel In The Syrian Civil War

Deaf Militants Releases ISIS Propaganda Video

ISIS Using Sign Language To Recruit Deaf Terrorists

Deaf Victims of Moore, Oklahoma Tornado

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Deaf Victims of Moore, Oklahoma Tornado

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - H3: Exclusive interview with Deaf victims of Moore, Oklahoma tornado.



It has been exactly 3 weeks since the Moore, Okla. tornado. Check out the video to learn about the Deaf victims of the May 20th tornado. For more info, contact deafvictimsofok@gmail.com

SOURCE



Related Post:

Deaf Family Survivors Oklahoma Tornado

Deaf Moore Couple Relies On Each Other, Community