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Kim Kardashian Gets Mixed Reactions For Supporting Convicted Murderer

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2 weeks ago

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  • Kim Kardashian West has focused her latest criminal justice efforts on Kevin Cooper, a death row inmate who was convicted of killing two adults and two children in 1983.
  • Cooper claims he is innocent and says he was framed by police for the murders.
  • Kardashian West believes Cooper and lobbied for CA Governor Gavin Newsom to order more DNA examination into the case.
  • While many have praised her for supporting Cooper, others, including the mother of one of the victims, are frustrated and disappointed to see her fighting for a man who has been convicted of gruesome crimes and has separately been accused of two rapes.

Kim’s Recent Efforts

Kim Kardashian West has earned a lot of praise in recent months for her prison reform advocacy. However, the reality star turned aspiring lawyer is now facing some backlash for the latest inmate she has focused her efforts on.

Kardashian West has recently been speaking with 61-year-old death row inmate Kevin Cooper. Cooper was convicted of using a hatchet to kill Doug and Peggy Ryen, their 10-year-old daughter Jessica, and an 11-year-old boy named Christopher Hughes, who was sleeping over at the Ryens’ Chino Hills, California home in 1983. The Ryens’ 8-year-old son survived the attack.

Cooper, who is currently behind bars in San Quentin State Prison, has maintained his innocence throughout his trial and incarceration and claims he was framed for the murders.

Kardashian West successfully lobbied for California Governor Gavin Newsom to order more DNA examination into the case. On Friday, she tweeted a photo with Cooper and said, “I found him to be thoughtful and honest and I believe he is innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted.”

In a separate tweet, she added that she is hopeful Cooper will be exonerated.

Backlash

Kardashian West’s efforts to help exonerate Cooper have since been met with some criticism. Many fans were upset with her for siding with a man who has been convicted of gruesome murders and has previously been accused of rape, according to the New York Times.

Cooper was accused of raping an underage girl in Pennsylvania about a year before the Ryens’ killings. He was also accused of raping another woman in California, weeks after the Chino Hills murders.

Despite all of this, Cooper has maintained his innocence in the Ryen family case. Last May, the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office issued a 94-page denial to Cooper’s petition for clemency. In it, they called him a “brutal killer who has lead a life of crime and been convicted of numerous violent and serious crimes on both sides of this country.”

“Few cases have been subject to the scrutiny that this case has experienced,” the document says.“Cooper was convicted by ‘the overwhelming evidence of his guilt’ that was presented at his trial.’”

One of the loudest voices opposing Kardashian West’s efforts is Mary Ann Hughes, the mother of 11-year-old Christopher. Hughes told TMZ on Sunday that she was disgusted to see the Kardashian West with Cooper.

“It makes me feel sick to my stomach and I pity her. For what she’s doing to us, there’s nothing to justify what she’s doing to us, the immense pain she is causing us.”

Hughes added that Kardashian West has “obviously has not read all of the actual evidence.”

“She has bought into half-truths perpetrated by the defense. If she actually sat down and read the transcripts of all the trials and appeals, she would be sick to her stomach to be in the same room with him,” Hughes said. “He’s 100 percent guilty and the evidence shows it.”

In the interview with TMZ, Hughes also pointed to the 1982 accusation of rape against Cooper. “She portrays herself as being for women’s rights and for the women’s movement and yet she is supporting a rapist and a murderer.”

Support

However, some were glad to see Kardashian West fighting for Cooper. Food Network host Sunny Anderson tweeted, “her dad would be so proud.”

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who has previously argued that Cooper was framed by police, also supported the move. “Brava to @KimKardashian for meeting Kevin Cooper, a man on death row who i believe was framed for murder by the San Bernardino County sheriff’s office.“

Since last year, Kim Kardashian and the legal team she works with have successfully freed over a dozen non-violent drug offenders.

See what others are saying: (USA Today) (TMZ) (Vice News)




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Bella Thorne Posts Her Own Topless Photos After Threats From Hacker

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1 day ago

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June 17, 2019

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  • Actress Bella Thorne posted topless photos of herself on social media in response to threats from a hacker who had obtained the images.
  • In an apparent message to the hacker, Throne wrote: “I can sleep tonight better knowing I took my power back. U can’t control my life u never will.”
  • Many fans have supported the move, calling Thorne brave, while others wonder if this incident is a stunt to promote her new book.

The Tweet

Actress Bella Thorne posted topless photos of herself on Twitter after a hacker threated to release the images that were stolen from her.

On Saturday, Thorne tweeted out screenshots of text messages between her and an alleged hacker, which included nude photos and videos of Thorne. Along with the photos, the actress also included a message to her fans in the tweet, explaining her decision to release the photos.

“I feel someone has taken something from me that I only wanted one special person to see,” Thorne wrote. “He has sent multiple nude photos of other celebs, he won’t stop with me or them he will just keep going.”

She continues, “for too long I let a man take advantage of me over and over and I’m f***ing sick of it, I’m putting this out because it’s MY DECISION NOW U DON’T GET TO TAKE YET ANOTHER THING FROM ME. I can sleep tonight better knowing I took my power back. U can’t control my life u never will.”

The tweet and photos come just days after Thorne’s twitter was hacked. On Thursday, the actress’ social media account was filled with racial slurs and sexually explicit messages. By the end of the day, Thorne had regained control and deleted all the tweets.

Thorne’s full statement released via Twitter.

Responses

Many of Thorne’s fans have praised her, calling her strong and brave for standing up to her hacker.

However, others have questioned her motivation and wonder if this was just a promotional scheme for her new book.

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Other Celebrity Hacking Incidents

In 2014, hundreds of private photos, including some belonging to Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, and Kristen Dunst, were leaked online. According to the U.S. Justice Department, four men used various forms of fake emails to pose as security alerts from accounts to obtain login information and passwords.

They gained access to over a thousand different iCloud and Gmail accounts and were eventually charged with felony computer hacking. All four men ended up in federal prison after being found guilty or accepting a plea deal.

As for pursuing legal options in her case, Thorne says she believes her hacker is likely a minor, so she wants to try and be reasonable.

“This kid sounds like he’s 17,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “As much as I’m so angry and wanted to f*** him up over doing this to people I just wanted to teach him a lesson. He’s still a kid and we make mistakes, this mistake is a bad one. But I don’t want some 17-year-old’s whole life ruined because he wasn’t thinking straight and [was] being a dumbass.”

“You can’t always tear someone down for their bad sides but more so build up their good sides.”

On Wednesday actress Victoria Justice also had her Twitter account hacked. She has since deleted tweets that were posted without her consent, but it is unclear if hacks against Justice and Thorne are related.

See what others are saying: (The Hollywood Reporter) (Entertainment Tonight) (News18)

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Kylie Jenner Faces Backlash Over “Handmaid’s Tale” Themed Party

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1 week ago

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June 10, 2019

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  • Kylie Jenner threw a Handmaid’s Tale themed party for her friend Stassie Karanikolaou’s birthday.
  • The party theme outraged many online who called it “disheartening” and “tone deaf.”
  • Meanwhile, some fans spoke out in Jenner’s defense, pointing out that it’s not uncommon for fans to throw parties or dress in costumes based on their favorite shows.

The Party

Twitter users are slamming Kylie Jenner for the Handmaid’s Tale themed bash she threw for her friend Anastasia “Stassie” Karanikolaou’s birthday.

On Saturday, Jenner’s Hidden Hills home was transformed to resemble Gilead, the fictional setting in the popular television series. She shared details of the party on her Instagram, which showed the house decorated with Gilead flags while the waiting staff dressed as Marthas – domestic servants to wealthy families in the series.

Guests wore matching Handmaids costumes and greeted each other with the phrase “praise be.” The party guests were also offered cocktails including  “praise be vodka” and “under his eye tequila.”

“You know the Handmaid’s Tale is my favorite show ever..so for Stass’ birthday, welcome to Gilead,” Jenner says on her Instagram story.

Those who were invited included, Jenner’s assistant Victoria Villarroel, her makeup artist Ariel Tejada, and Scott Disick’s girlfriend Sofia Richie.

Many criticized Jenner and her friends for the theme. The series, which is based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, showcases a dystopian society where women are enslaved, routinely raped and abused, forced into childbirth, and more.

The red robes and white bonnets were designed to label women and prevent them from looking at their surroundings. They have been used in several protests over recent years by women standing up for issues like reproductive rights and fighting against sexual assault.

Backlash

The party was quickly met with backlash online, with many shocked by the theme.

Defense

Still, many fans defended Jenner. Some even pointed out that it is not uncommon to throw parties based on popular shows and movies.

See what others are saying: (Cosmopolitan) (People) (Teen Vogue)



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How Markiplier, Bear Grylls, Kimmy Schmidt and The Fine Bros. are Changing the Future of Television

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2 weeks ago

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June 7, 2019

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Ever since Black Mirror: Bandersnatch was released on Netflix in December, more and more digital entertainment companies have been announcing new interactive projects that allow the audience to control the direction of the plot. But is this just a gimmick or is interactivity a trend that could change the future of television as we know it?

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