Charges Dropped in Christopher Mitchell Killing. RFK Jr Confronted. Ticketmaster Monopoly Ruling
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Los Angeles County judges dismissed voluntary manslaughter charges against two former Torrance police officers in the 2018 shooting death of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell, despite a $7.8 million wrongful death settlement.
- ❖The DA's rationale for dismissal shifted from concerns about pre-shooting tactic evidence to believing the evidence was not strong enough to meet the burden.
- ❖The Mitchell family plans to appeal to the California Department of Justice for abuse of discretion by the district attorney's office, acknowledging federal DOJ hostility towards police misconduct cases.
- ❖A federal jury ruled that Ticketmaster and Live Nation operate an illegal monopoly, stifling competition and overcharging consumers, with potential remedies including breaking up the company.
- ❖Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, was confronted by Alabama Congresswoman Terry Sewell for suggesting 'reparenting' Black children on ADHD medication, highlighting his lack of medical qualifications and the historical context of family separation.
- ❖Multiple recent murder-suicides and domestic violence cases involving Black men and women underscore a critical mental health crisis within the Black community.
- ❖Experts emphasize that domestic violence is fundamentally a mental health issue, often rooted in trauma and fear, requiring open conversations, empathy, and male leadership to address.
- ❖A federal judge blocked an Indiana bill banning student IDs for voting, citing it as an unconstitutional burden and a 'solution in search of a problem' targeting young voters.
Insights
1Dismissal of Charges in Christopher Mitchell Killing Underscores Justice System Failures
Los Angeles County judges formally dismissed voluntary manslaughter charges against two former Torrance police officers involved in the 2018 shooting death of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell. The DA's office initially declined prosecution, then reopened the case leading to a grand jury indictment, only for a newly elected DA to abandon prosecution, citing insufficient evidence. This decision comes despite the Mitchell family being awarded $7.8 million in a wrongful death lawsuit, highlighting the disparity between civil and criminal justice outcomes in police misconduct cases. The family plans to appeal to the California Department of Justice, acknowledging the federal DOJ's historical hostility towards such cases.
Los Angeles County judges formally dismissed voluntary manslaughter charges against two former Torrance police officers involved in 2018 shooting death of a black man Christopher DeAndre Mitchell. The DA at the time, Jackie Lacy, initially chosen not to pursue prosecution... Lacy's successor, District Attorney Judge Gasone, reopened the case, resulting in a grand jury indictment of both officers in 2023. But newly elected DA Nathan Hawkman said he intended to abandon the prosecution... The family knew they were going to dismiss the charges. We can appeal to the Department of Justice, California Department of Justice... The DOJ here in DC don't give a damn about cases involving police misconduct.
2Jury Rules Ticketmaster/Live Nation an Illegal Monopoly, Signaling Industry Shake-Up
A federal jury in California ruled that Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation, operate an illegal monopoly over large concert venues, stifling competition and overcharging consumers. This decision, in favor of 33 states and Washington D.C., found that Live Nation controls too many aspects of live entertainment, including venues, ticketing, and artist management. The ruling came despite attempts by the Trump administration to settle the federal case, demonstrating the power of state attorneys general to pursue antitrust actions. Potential remedies include forcing Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster, which could lead to more competition, lower fees, and better services for consumers and artists.
A federal jury has ruled the ticket master and his parent company, Live Nation, been operating an illegal monopoly, stiffling competition, and overcharging consumers. The jury ruled in favor of 33 states in Washington DC finding that Live Nation controlled too many aspects of live entertainment including concert venues, ticketing services, and artist management... The White House had interfered and said that they have to settle the federal case with Live Nation Ticket Master... The state attorneys general, thank goodness, said, 'You know what? We've got this. we're gonna hire our own outside counsel and get this thing all the way through to a jury.'
3RFK Jr. Confronted Over Racist 'Reparenting' Comments for Black Children
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, was harshly confronted by Alabama Congresswoman Terry Sewell during a House Judiciary Committee hearing over his 2024 podcast comments suggesting Black children on ADHD medication should be 'reparented.' Sewell highlighted his lack of medical qualifications and formal training, emphasizing the deep historical pain of family separation in the Black community. RFK Jr. denied the specific phrasing and struggled to explain his remarks, which Sewell framed as deeply offensive, dismissive, and dangerous, especially given his influential position.
In a 2024 podcast interview, you suggested that black children on ADHD medication should be repared. You said every black kid is now just standardly put on aderall SSRI benzo which are known to induce violence and that those children are going to have to go somewhere to get repared... Mr. Secretary, you've already admitted that you are not boardcertified physician and you've already admitted that you did not go to medical school. Have you ever reparented or parented, I should say, a black child? I I don't even know what that phrase means. And I doubt that I said that phrase. No. I'm not going to answer something that I didn't say. You absolutely said it.
4Domestic Violence and Murder-Suicides: A Mental Health Crisis in the Black Community
The podcast extensively discusses a recent surge in murder-suicides and domestic violence cases involving Black men and women, including the high-profile case of former Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax and his wife, Serena Fairfax, and a son killing his mother in Chicago. Dr. Monique Swift and Dr. Tori Protheroe-Wally emphasize that domestic violence is fundamentally a mental health issue, often rooted in trauma, unmanaged anger, and fear. They argue against separating domestic violence from mental health discussions, stressing that violent behavior stems from internal psychological states. The conversation highlights the need for men to address their mental health, for community intervention, and for open, difficult conversations to prevent further tragedies and protect Black women.
Four cases in two weeks of black women murdered by men in their lives. Two of them black husbands, one a black son... Why are we having a mental health conversation? We should be having a domestic violence conversation. My response was, 'We have to deal with what's happening in a person's head that leads them to commit domestic violence.'... Hurt people hurt people... The violence that's happening between partners is absolutely mental.
Opportunities
Black-Owned E-commerce Marketplace
Create a centralized online marketplace (like shopblackstarnetwork.com) specifically for Black-owned businesses to sell their products. This platform should offer discounted pricing as an incentive for consumers and provide marketing support to businesses that may lack dedicated budgets, while also generating revenue to support Black media.
Independent Ticketing and Venue Management Platforms
Develop new, competitive ticketing platforms and independent venue management services to challenge the Live Nation/Ticketmaster monopoly. These platforms could focus on lower fees, better user experience, and direct support for artists and independent promoters, especially those from underrepresented communities.
Key Concepts
Local Control vs. Federal Intervention
This model highlights the tension between state/local autonomy and federal oversight. Republicans often advocate for local control until it conflicts with their political agenda, at which point they seek federal intervention (e.g., sanctuary cities, voting rights). Conversely, in cases like police misconduct, the federal government's lack of intervention leaves local DAs as the primary avenue for justice.
The Power Wheel of Domestic Violence
Introduced by Candace Kelly, this model illustrates the various forms of domestic violence beyond physical abuse, including intimidation, isolation, using children, financial control, and emotional abuse. It emphasizes that physical violence is the highest act within a broader pattern of control and abuse, often rooted in the abuser's fear.
Trauma-Informed Approach to Violence
Dr. Monique Swift and Dr. Tori Protheroe-Wally advocate for understanding the underlying trauma and mental health issues that contribute to violent behavior. This model suggests that addressing the 'why' behind the violence, rather than just condemning the act, is essential for prevention, repair, and breaking cycles of harm, even if it's an unpopular perspective.
Lessons
- Support Black-owned businesses by purchasing from platforms like shopblackstarnetwork.com, which offers competitive pricing and directly supports Black media.
- Engage in difficult, open conversations about domestic violence and mental health within your community, especially among men, to identify and address underlying issues like trauma and anger.
- If you witness signs of domestic violence or emotional distress in a friend or family member, intervene by asking 'what's going on with you' and offering support, rather than remaining silent.
- Advocate for stronger police accountability and antitrust enforcement at state and local levels, as federal efforts may be insufficient or hostile to these causes.
- Educate yourself and others on the 'Power Wheel' of domestic violence to recognize all forms of abuse, not just physical, and understand the signs of an unhealthy relationship.
Community Intervention for Domestic Violence and Mental Health
**Initiate Open Dialogue:** Create safe spaces within Black male organizations, churches, and community groups for men to openly discuss emotions, anger, and personal struggles without judgment.
**Promote Male Accountability:** Encourage men to 'check on their brothers' and intervene when witnessing concerning behavior, rather than remaining silent. Model healthy emotional expression and conflict resolution.
**Educate on Mental Health Link:** Clearly communicate that domestic violence is a mental health issue, often rooted in trauma and fear, and that seeking professional help (e.g., therapists, psychologists) is a sign of strength, not weakness.
**Support Victims and Bystanders:** Empower individuals to recognize the signs of domestic violence (using tools like the 'Power Wheel') and provide resources for victims to safely leave abusive situations. Encourage bystanders to intervene when witnessing violence, prioritizing the safety of the harmed individual.
**Foster Empathy and Humanity:** Cultivate empathy across the community, recognizing the pain of both victims and perpetrators (without excusing actions), to facilitate understanding, healing, and ultimately, repair within relationships and the broader social fabric.
Notable Moments
The host's personal anecdote about his sister fleeing domestic violence underscores the lived reality and urgency of the issue.
This personalizes the abstract statistics of domestic violence, making the crisis tangible and relatable, and justifying the passionate call for action.
The discussion on the 'cone of silence' among Black men regarding emotional vulnerability.
This highlights a significant cultural barrier to addressing mental health and domestic violence, explaining why intervention is often difficult and why male leadership is crucial.
Quotes
"The DOJ here in DC don't give a damn about cases involving police misconduct."
"The corporations that employ them don't get penalized like they should."
"It's like saying you're pregnant just just a little bit. Either you're pregnant or you're not, right?"
"You don't have the pleasure because of your position to speak first and think later. Not in this job and not because of your responsibility."
"If 96% of all domestic violence cases are involving men, I want that to be 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, zero."
"We are in crisis mode right now. We have to do all of the above. We need everyone at the table."
"There are brothers in our midst who are laying hands on the women in their lives."
Q&A
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