Lisa Burks Online

His K.B.

Read more at Adventures in Grave Hunting

Justice for Rigsby: Why Isn't Media Focusing on the Victim?

I've been following the horrific story of Rigsby, an adorable dog and beloved family pet from the San Antonio area, who met a terrible end recently.

Rigsby, photographed by his family on 12/2/2009, a month before he went missing

His dedicated supporters have mounted an online awareness campaign including a petition for justice in this case which I urge all readers to sign.

Media coverage of this story has been mostly local, and revolves around the sensational angle of the suspect who claims to be a werewolf. I find this almost as disturbing as the crime itself.

What about the victim, Rigsby, and his grieving family? Why is their story being lost in the mix? Why are the police not issuing updates about their investigation? What action is being taken?

These are just some of the questions that I think the public should be aware of so I'm looking into them now, with the help of the good folks at RigsbyJustice.net. Stay tuned for further updates.

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Brittany Murphy's Dad Defies Ban To Visit Her Grave

As reported here last week, Angelo Bertolotti, father of actress Brittany Murphy, was told in no uncertain terms that he was not allowed to visit her grave when he showed up at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Monday, February 15.

Read full story at Adventures in Grave Hunting

Murphy's Law at FLHH

Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills is now offering parting gifts when they target you as a celebrity grave hunter and give you the heave-ho. Classy privacy policy cards, suitable for framing. Like this one that my friend Shelly and I got yesterday when we visited, and were asked to leave, the grave site area of Brittany Murphy.

read more at Adventures in Grave Hunting

Twelve Angry Men on DVD

Out now on DVD, the original Twelve Angry Men presented in 1954 on the CBS dramatic anthology program Studio One.

One of the stars? Franchot Tone, of course, as Juror #3.

I saw this in 2003 at the Museum of Television and Radio when the only known copy of the entire production, credits-to-credits, was discovered and given to the archive.

Five Stars!

Available on Amazon.com.

The Perfect Combination of Voice and Words

I was lucky enough to be raised by parents who enjoyed reading books to their children.  Today I love, love, love listening to audio books because it drums up in me the same cozy, visceral experience.

Back in 1957, actor Franchot Tone recorded an entire album of readings ~ The Jazz Age of F. Scott Fitzgerald ~ which included selections from The Great Gatsby, This Side of Paradise and The Crack-Up. I can't think of another recording that has combined a better blend of voice and words.

Franchot had the perfect, velvety, lyrical voice for such projects. While I'm glad to own this marvelous LP, selfishly, I wish he had done more of them.

Astute film buffs will recognize a further connection between Franchot and F. Scott ~ the original story/script for MGM's 1938 film Three Comrades was penned by Fitzgerald (his only screenwriting credit) and starred FT, Robert Taylor, Robert Young and Margaret Sullavan.

Special thanks to UK filmmaker and writer ClarityInWonderland who created, and alerted me to, a wonderful excerpt from this rare recording for all to enjoy! (Part II now available as well, thanks Ami!)

 

Outside Conrad Murray's Day in Court

After being just a few yards away from Dr. Conrad Murray last Wednesday when he had the gall to show up at Forest Lawn Glendale, I was not about to miss seeing him finally surrender to authorities yesterday for involuntary manslaughter charges in the Michael Jackson death case.

Arriving early, about 8:30 a.m., to chronicle the media circus outside the court, I counted 15 satellite trucks, upwards of 25 local, national and international television and radio crews, and dozens of still photographers. One cameraman told me they were there at 3:30 a.m. setting up the trucks for morning news on-scene reporting.

Considering the reports that the Los Angeles Sheriff Department was going to have tight security to protect Murray against angry Jackson fans, the scene was pretty relaxed. News crews and gawkers were standing around quietly talking to each other or on cell phones, many drinking coffee and eating breakfast available inside the court's public cafeteria.

Fans carrying signs began arriving shortly after I got there. They let their printed words do the talking but nonetheless were moved to the rear of the building away from the media. A deputy told me the gameplan was to keep obvious protesters 150 feet away from all entrances.

As the morning wore on, media made their way over to the group, who by now were holding up an 80 foot banner declaring "The King of Pop - Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon." Eventually, fan protesters were again mingling, peacefully, among the media in front of the court with no attempt by law enforcement to stop them.

Around 11:00 a.m. the media was told that the expected criminal complaint of manslaughter had been filed against Murray by prosecutors inside the court, alleging he acted "unlawfully, and without malice [to] kill Michael Joseph Jackson." The complaint included Jackson's autopsy report results. The Smoking Gun supplies details.

Members of the Jackson Family arrived to the court at 11:48 a.m. in a four vehicle caravan lead by Michael Jackson's own dark blue Escalade. Included were his parents, Joseph and Katharine, brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine, and sister LaToya. Brother Randy arrived minutes later on his own, and when he first drove up a cry of "Murray's here" rang out from the scrambling media. Oops.

My friends from the Michael Jackson Fans of Southern California entered the court behind the Jacksons, went with the flow to the ninth floor and obtained the scant three available public seats inside the courtroom via a lottery.

One hour later, at 12:47 p.m., Murray arrived, sans handcuffs, escorted by two deputies and what appeared to be a bodyguard, to the angry chants of "Murderer" and "Justice for Michael," from the fans. Many fans, after having seen him, broke down in tears. I'm still trying to absorb what I felt, all of it punctuated by a recurring cold chill down my back.


MJFSC members Erin Jacobs and Antoinette Albert told me that they came face-to-face with Murray as he was led down the outer hall and that he stared them up and down before lowering his head. Inside the courtroom everyone sat quiet and stoicly, waiting for Murray's case to be called, around 2:00 p.m. See the media pool feed of the arraignment in its entirety at TMZ.

Murray plead not guilty, Judge Keith Schwartz released him on $75,000 bail and he was booked. The case was continued to April 5, at which time prosecution will present evidence they believe will show that Murray's "gross negligence" directly caused Jackson's death.

Judge Schwartz cited a change in venue for all future proceedings to the Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Dept. 100, in downtown Los Angeles, because the Airport Courthouse is not set up for the security needed surrounding this particular case. Other famous cases tried there include the trials of O.J. Simpson and Phil Spector.

From inside the courtroom, Randy tweeted his disgust over who from his brother's professional life didn't show up. (Everyone.)

After the proceedings, the Jackson family caravan was moved to the rear of the building as fans and media scrambled to record the happenings. RadarOnline supplies ample coverage. Heidi Heidel from MJFSC told me that she had a chance to offer words of support to Joseph as he left, and that he told her "this is not justice."

Murray's white vehicle, which had been parked behind the Jackson family caravan after his arrival, sped away without him in it while media further scrambled to find out where he exited the building. Never did see him go.

Murray's defense team held a press conference, backdropped by fans and their signs. Likewise, the chants of "Murderer" were heard as they left the microphone stand.

More of my photos from the day here on Flickr.

Conrad Murray Arrives at Court

Went down to the Airport Courthouse today to see if Dr. Conrad Murray would really show up and surrender for arraignment. He did.

Conrad Murray at Forest Lawn: The Breakdown

Michael Jackson fans inadvertently foiled Dr. Conrad Murray's photo op at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Wednesday. My exclusive breakdown explains how it all went down.

via Adventures in Grave Hunting

Things Will Be Great When You're Downtown

Took a research run over to the AMPAS Margaret Herrick Library yesterday, via the awesomely convenient Metro Bus. Love that it routes through downtown because I hate driving and parking, but love to explore.

On my way home I took time between transfers to traverse a portion of the historic Broadway Theatre District between 6th and 7th. Mainly I wanted to snap exteriors of the Los Angeles and Palace Theatres, and to grab a tray of late lunch comfort food at Clifton's Cafeteria.

An elderly gent dining at the table next to me asked if I had ever seen the film Amelie. Why, yes. Why? "Because you and your little camera reminded me of it just now." Sweet!

More snaps here.