OMG of the WEEK: International Jewel Thief, 80, Nabbed in San Diego

I was browsing my daily news this morning, when I came across a story of an 80 year old "international jewel thief". 

Dressed to the nines, she waltzes into a high-end jewelry store in Monte Carlo -- or Paris or Las Vegas -- and smiles at the clerk. She asks to try on a ring or a watch -- wait, no not that one, the other one. How about this one?

After trying on and admiring several pieces, all the while bantering with the sales clerk, she decides that, no, she won't be buying anything today. She glides out as gracefully as she came in and the clerk goes back to work.

It will be hours before the clerk realizes one of the more expensive pieces – a ring that nice old lady had tried on -- is missing.

That's how Doris Payne, now 80, has been robbing jewelry stores blind for the better part of a century, her lawyer told ABC News today.

Payne has served time in six states for theft. Her most recent conviction was Wednesday. Payne was found guilty of walking out of a San Diego, Calif., Macy's with a diamond ring worth nearly $9,000 on Jan. 1, 2010.

According to her lawyer, Gretchen von Helms, Payne maintains that she has been wrongfully convicted – that it is a case of mistaken identity. Whatever the case, it's just the latest conviction in a career of thievery so notorious that, according to von Helms "if there's been a jewelry theft and an African-American woman did it, everyone would say, 'It must've been Doris Payne.'"

"She's had a history of other times where she's been accused righteously, and also accused falsely," said von Helms. "She has a certain notoriety."

While Payne denies the latest crime attributed to her, she admitted that she makes a life on the other side of the law, sometimes in exotic locales.

"When I cross-examined her, I said, 'This is what you do. You're an international jewel thief,' and she said, 'Yes,'" San Diego Deputy District Attorney John Pro said.

Here's the video discussing more..... and believe me, I am just as shocked as you are: 

Homeless man with radio voice has offer

CLEVELAND -- With a deep, refined voice, one that had been sadly misplaced, Ted Williams simply asked for help to get him off the streets.

He's been heard.

Left homeless after his life and career were ruined by drugs and alcohol, Williams has been offered a job by the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and is being pursued by NFL Films for possible work after he and his compelling tale became an online curiosity.

"This has been totally, totally amazing," Williams said in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, his voice choking with emotion. "I'm just so thankful. God has blessed me so deeply. I'm getting a second chance. Amazing."

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AP Photo/Columbus Dispatch/Doral Chenoweth IIITed Williams, a homeless ex-radio announcer, has been offered a job by the Cavaliers after becoming an Internet sensation.

Williams was contacted Wednesday by the Cavaliers, who have offered him a position that could include announcing work at Quicken Loans Arena, the team's downtown arena. Williams said the team has offered him a two-year contract and said they would pay his mortgage.

Williams, whose deep baritone and plight have made him an online video sensation, was contacted Wednesday by the Cavs. Team spokesman Tad Carper said details are still being worked out on a possible position for Williams.

Williams' compelling tale also has drawn interest from NFL Films, which has chronicled pro football for nearly 50 years and wants to contact Williams.

"It's that voice," said Kevin McLoughlin, director of post-production films for the NFL told The Associated Press. "When I heard him tell his story, I said, 'That's what we do. This guy can tell a story.' Somehow, some way, I need to get a demo with him."

"The man deserves a second chance," said McLoughlin, who has not yet been able to contact Williams.

"I can't believe what's going on," Williams, a father of nine, told The Associated Press, adding he feels like Susan Boyle, the English singing sensation who became an overnight star. "God gave me a million-dollar voice and I just hope I can do right by him."

Williams said he is flying to New York to see his 90-year-old mother, who lives in Brooklyn and has stood by him during his battles with addiction.

"She has always been my best friend," he said, crying. "When I was a kid, she would take me down to Radio City Music Hall and on the subway. I'm just glad that she is still around. I prayed that she would live long enough that I could make her proud and see could her son do something other than stand along the side of the road with a sign asking for money."

Williams' life began spiraling downward in 1996 when he began drinking alcohol "pretty bad." He used marijuana and cocaine and lost interest in his radio career. Williams said his last job was with a station in Columbus. He eventually wound up on the streets, despite the best efforts of his children, seven daughters and two sons who all live in the Columbus area.

"They have mixed emotions about what is going on," Williams said. "During my detox stages, I had a tendency to eat up everybody's food. I'm a grandfather, too, and I was eating what should have gone to their kids."

Williams said he celebrated two years of sobriety "around Thanksgiving. I just hope everyone will pray for me."

The Columbus Dispatch reports that video of Williams posted this week on its website has commanded millions of views and drawn inquiries from numerous media entities and a talent agency.

In the clip, Williams stands near a Columbus highway ramp demonstrating his smooth, deep speaking voice. He holds a sign that asks motorists for help and says, "I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times."

Williams, who told the Dispatch he sometimes lives in a camp behind a gas station, says he had trouble with drugs and alcohol but is two years' sober.

"I'm trying hard to get it back," he told the newspaper.

A Dispatch videographer by chance decided to film Williams, who sometimes panhandles off Interstate 71.

"We run into these guys at the exit ramps and we pretty much ignore them," the videographer, Doral Chenoweth III, said on the Dispatch website. "This guy was using his talent."

On the Dispatch's video clip, Williams said he was 14 and on a field trip when he became fascinated by the world of radio after talking with an announcer.

"He said to me: 'Radio is defined [as] theater of mind,' " Williams said on the video. "I can't be an actor; I can't be an on-air [television] personality. The voice became something of a development."

Williams' story should be an inspiration for other homeless people, Bob Ater, executive director of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, told The Associated Press.

"One of the problems with a lot of homeless people is that they have some rich talent, but don't have the confidence to exploit that talent," Ater said, adding he was unfamiliar with Williams before the video hit. "He's fabulous. The Cavaliers could use a boost of some kind."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Mayweather arrested in Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- Police say boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is in a Las Vegas jail after being arrested on a misdemeanor warrant alleging he poked a security guard in the face last month outside his home.

Police Officer Jacinto Rivera said Friday that Mayweather was arrested late Thursday at a Las Vegas-area casino and was being held without bail at the Clark County jail pending a Monday court appearance.

Mayweather's attorneys didn't immediately respond to messages.

The warrant for the 33-year-old Mayweather stems from a battery charge alleging he poked a 21-year-old security guard in the face during a Nov. 15 argument over parking tickets.

Mayweather had been free after posting bail on unrelated felony charges following his arrest in a September dispute with his children and their mother.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Deceased NFL Star’s Donated Organs Save 4 Lives

North Carolina — One week before Christmas of 2009, NFL star Chris Henry lost his life after having a domestic spat with his fiancée. As his fiance drove away, Henry, 26, fell off the back of a moving pickup truck and died after suffering brain damage.

However, Henry’s mother, Carolyn Glaspy, has ensured that her son’s legacy will extend beyond the football field.

Moments after doctors told Glaspy that Henry’s injuries were too severe for survival, she decided to donate his organs. The lives of Brian Polk, Donna Arnold, James Benton and Thomas Elliot were saved after receiving Henry’s organs. Polk received a kidney, Benton received a liver, Arnold received a pancreas and a kidney, and Elliot received two lungs.

The touching story was featured on the CBS’ pregame NFL show on Thursday afternoon and brought usual tough guys James Brown and Boomer Esiason to tears.

Cancer-stricken father sees Son play with Florida Marlins

NEW YORK -- Logan Morrison's father remembers exactly what he said when the doctor told him he had inoperable lung cancer.

"Am I going to be around long enough to see my son get his first big league hit?"

Oh, he's seen that and much, much more.

“

Anytime he's in the stands I kick it up a little bit. He's the reason I'm here. And with him being sick, there might not be too many more opportunities where he can see me play.

”-- Logan Morrison

Morrison and his dad, both choking back tears, sat side by side in the Florida Marlins' dugout Wednesday trying to describe their emotions during a cherished reunion at Citi Field.

Words, in this case, could never be enough.

Not for a proud father who traveled 29 hours on a train to see his son play big league ballgames in person for the first time.

Not for a boy who knows all too well it could be their last chance to celebrate his birthday together.

Tom Morrison, 51, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in April and spent much of the summer fighting for his life in a hospital. Meanwhile, his son, Logan, earned a call-up to the majors July 27 and a spot in left field with the Marlins.

"That was killing me, not being able to see him play," the elder Morrison said. "It's just nice to be able to sit in the park and watch him."

Tom Morrison, finally well enough to travel, got the chance to do just that Tuesday night following the long train ride from his Louisiana home. He saw his son go 1 for 5 and score a run in a 6-5 loss to the New York Mets.

"It was an awesome feeling, for him to see that in person," Logan Morrison said.

Logan Morrison was in the lineup again Wednesday on his 23rd birthday. His dad was back at the ballpark, too, purple-tinted sunglasses sitting upside down on the bill of a black Marlins cap, with about 20 other family members and friends in attendance. A birthday cake awaited after the game.

"Baseball has kind of brought the family together," Logan Morrison said.

Doctors' orders prevent Tom Morrison from flying, but that didn't stop him from making it to the Big Apple this week. And after all of the radiation and chemotherapy he's been through, sitting in the left-field stands watching his boy play was quite a treat.

"It's probably the best recreation I have," Tom Morrison said, smiling. "I made him wave at me."

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AP Photo/Denis PoroyLogan Morrison is hitting .307 with seven RBIs since being called up to the majors by the Marlins.

The rookie outfielder, selected to the Futures Game for top prospects during All-Star festivities last month, singled twice, tripled and scored two runs in a 5-4 victory Wednesday night. He's hitting .307 with no homers and seven RBIs, and nobody is happier for him than his father.

"Anytime he's in the stands I kick it up a little bit. He's the reason I'm here," Morrison said. "And with him being sick, there might not be too many more opportunities where he can see me play."

After the game, the Morrison clan met up in a corridor before heading out for a postgame dinner.

"It's kind of surreal. The kid's living his dream," Tom Morrison said before the game. "He's a good kid. He deserves it."

Logan Morrison said it's not hard to concentrate on the field, but he often thinks of his dad during batting practice and when he's away from the ballpark. He said his all-out style of play and perfectionist personality comes directly from his father, still active as a chief petty officer in the Coast Guard and based out of Slidell, La.

"Now you know why when I get three hits and I get out once I'm mad," Logan Morrison said. "I'm never satisfied."

Tom Morrison, who said he played college football at Kansas, watches Logan's games on his computer at home and plans to go to Florida in early October for the Marlins' final series of the season. The weather should be cooler then, which is important for the elder Morrison because he gets dehydrated easily.

Next year, he wants to buy a special all-in-one train ticket that would allow him to hop on and off in different cities -- wherever Logan is playing at the time.

That's how Tom Morrison wants to spend the days he has left.

Sitting in the dugout at Citi Field, he could only hope he gets that chance.

Kentucky denies 200k recruit payment

The University of Kentucky issued a statement on Friday threatening legal action over a Chicago Sun-Times story claiming that recruit Anthony Davis negotiated a deal to receive $200,000 from someone who wanted him to commit to the school.




The intial Sun-Times story on Wednesday cited unidentified sources and stated:



"The rumors/sources that have Davis choosing Kentucky are also alleging that the commitment cost $200,000. [Anthony] Davis Sr. has flat out denied everything."



Kentucky responded in a statement.

"The University of Kentucky is dismayed by the continued lack of professionalism and responsible journalism exhibited by Michael O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times in running yet another false and defamatory story on August 6, 2010, regarding the University's recruitment of a high school student-athlete," the statement read. "Both the father of this student-athlete and the University have repeatedly told Mr. O'Brien that these unsubstantiated 'rumors' are untrue. Neither the University of Kentucky nor any member of its Athletic Department has offered or paid any money or other illegal benefits to the student-athlete or his family."

The school's statement goes on to say that Davis and/or the university may initiate legal proceedings.



"The University of Kentucky has put Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times on notice that these published statements are false and defamatory," the statement reads. "The University fully supports any action the student-athlete and his family may take against Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times. The University is also evaluating all available rights and remedies it may have against Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times in responding to these false and defamatory statements."



The father of the 6-foot-10 Davis told multiple media outlets that his son, who is in the Class of 2011, had decided which school he wanted to attend, but he did not reveal his decision. He had flown under the radar at Perspectives, a Chicago public charter school, and then burst onto the national scene due to his AAU performances.



The initial Sun-Times story also cited unidentified sources in saying that the NCAA was "checking" into the recruitment of Davis. Kentucky said this was a mischaracterization of the situation.



"The University of Kentucky spoke with David Price, NCAA Vice President of Enforcement, who advised that the NCAA contacted Mr. O'Brien simply to inquire as to the alleged sources for his article and that 'this in no way confirms an NCAA investigation of the University' or an examination of the recruitment of the named student-athlete. It is the University's understanding that such an inquiry represents the NCAA's normal procedure any time allegations of misconduct are made, no matter how outrageous or unsubstantiated they may be."



Despite Kentucky's statement, the Sun-Times stood by its story on Friday, and even elaborated:



"Sources from three separate universities told the Sun-Times that Davis Sr. asked for money in return for his son's commitment, with the amounts ranging from $125,000 to $150,000."



The newspaper reached out to an attorney for the family.



''Mr. Davis has not asked any university or college for any commitment fee for his son, nor has anything been offered to him or Mrs. Davis,'' Georgette L. Greenlee wrote Thursday, according to the Sun-Times.

OMG of the day: Tyson Gay upsets Usain Bolt

STOCKHOLM -- It turns out Usain Bolt can be beaten.




From Beijing to Berlin, it seemed that Bolt and his long, turbocharged strides were more than a match for anyone over 100 meters. But Tyson Gay upset the defending world and Olympic champion Friday in a race between the two fastest runners in history.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Tyson Gay won the 100 meters at the DN Galan meet in 9.84 seconds, upsetting Usain Bolt, who was second in 9.97.

Gay beat the Jamaican at the DN Galan meet in 9.84 seconds, competing at the same stadium where Bolt last lost a race two years ago.



The American seemed to be in complete control against the world record-holder. The pair raced side by side in lanes four and five and as Gay, looking comfortable, drew away. Bolt was straining to keep up and finished second in 9.97.



"I'm really happy with the win, even though Usain Bolt isn't in the best shape," Gay said. "It was very important to beat someone like that for the fans and the sport."



Bolt has run faster this year, finishing in 9.82 a month ago in Lausanne, Switzerland.

A sellout crowd in the 1912 Olympic Stadium turned silent before the showdown. And the tension heightened even further after two false starts.

"I think it showed that I wasn't in the best of shape," Bolt said. "I'm not unbeatable. I can be beaten and it showed today.

"This is my easy season," he added. "If you don't beat me this season it's not going to happen next season because next year is a championship year."

The sprinters both looked like they left plenty in reserve when they cruised through the heats, and so it was for Gay when it came to the final. Richard Thompson of Trinidad finished third in 10.10.

The race would have had even more star power had Asafa Powell of Jamaica not pulled out Wednesday because of a back injury. That denied fans the chance to see the first race between the world's three fastest men.


At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bolt mesmerized all of track and field in winning the 100 and 200 -- becoming the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to sweep both sprints at an Olympics. He then stormed to another world record of 9.58 last August at the world championships in Berlin.


In other events, American Bershawn Jackson set a stadium record of 47.65 in the 400 hurdles. Javier Culson of Puerto Rico was a distant second in 48.50 and Angelo Taylor of the U.S. third in 49.57.


Allyson Felix won the women's 200 in 22.41 in an American sweep. Shalonda Solomon was second in 22.51, with Bianca Knight third with 22.59.


Australia's Sally Pearson won the women's 100 hurdles in 12.57, beating Canada's Priscilla Lopes-Schliep in 12.59. Lolo Jones of the U.S. was third in 12.70.

Darya Klishna of Russia beat a top field in the women's long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 3 inches. Brittney Reese of the United States was second in 22-1¾ and European silver medalist Naide Gomes of Portugal third at 22-0¾.

"I missed Barcelona so this was something special for me," Klishna said. "I always like to jump with the best possible field. It gives me more motivation."

Blanka Vlasic of Croatia won the women's high jump at 6-7½. Chaunte Howard-Lowe of the U.S. was second at 6-6¾. Crowd favorite Emma Green of Sweden was third at 6-4¼.

Finland's Tero Pitkamaki won the javelin at 276-11, inflicting a rare defeat on world, Olympic and European champion Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway. Thorkildsen was second at 274-4, followed by Mattias De Zordo of Germany at 269-2.





Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

OMG of The Day: Conn. Gunman Called 911, Said He Shot Up 'Racist Place' (Shocking Video Inside)

HARTFORD, Conn. (Aug. 5) -- A black man who went on a shooting rampage at a beer distributor calmly told a 911 operator that it was "a racist place" and that he "handled the problem" but wished he had shot more people.




Omar Thornton called 911 after shooting 10 co-workers - eight fatally - on Tuesday morning at Hartford Distributors Inc. He introduced himself as "the shooter over in Manchester" and said he was hiding in the building, but he would not say where.



"You probably want to know the reason why I shot this place up," he said, his voice steady. "This place is a racist place. They're treating me bad over here. And treat all other black employees bad over here, too. So I took it to my own hands and handled the problem. I wish I could have got more of the people."



Connecticut State Police released the audio of the four-minute 911 call on Thursday, the day company and union officials rebutted suggestions that the company had ignored Thornton's complaints of racism.



Thornton, 34, went on his rampage moments after he was forced to resign when confronted with video evidence that he had been stealing and reselling beer.



The 911 call confirmed suggestions from his relatives and girlfriend that he believed he was avenging racist treatment in the workplace.



Hartford Distributors president Ross Hollander said there was no record to support claims of "racial insensitivity" made through the company's anti-harassment policy, the union grievance process or state and federal agencies.



"Nonetheless, these ugly allegations have been raised and the company will cooperate with any investigation," Hollander said.



The union said 14 of 69 dock workers, or 20 percent, were racial minorities - four black, nine Hispanic, one Asian.



The idea that Thornton's motive may not have been retaliation for losing his job has not sat well with many of the people who knew the victims and have firsthand knowledge of the environment inside the enormous distribution center in Manchester.



"Everybody just thinks this race card is such a wrong thing," said Michael Cirigliano, whose slain brother, Bryan, was Thornton's union representative at the disciplinary meeting and the president of the local union.



Michael Cirigliano also spent three decades working at the warehouse before he retired two years ago.



"The Hispanics and the blacks were telling me they've never seen anything they're accusing the company of in the bathrooms or anywhere else at HDI," he said. "It's never been separated white, black, Asian. It's never been like that."



He said the company had increased its hiring of minorities in recent years.



"They've been bringing in more and more minority people to fill the positions," Cirigliano said. "You could almost go as far as that's reverse discrimination. They were hiring the groups to balance the workplace, because that's what we are in America, there's a balance."



Anthony Napolitano, the son-in-law of victim Victor James, 60, of Windsor, said James treated everyone equally, regardless of race or religion.



Truck driver David Zylberman, a 34-year employee of the company, said that the racism claims "pissed me off because they were good people."



Thornton's ex-girlfriend, Jessica Anne Brocuglio, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he had a history of racial problems with co-workers at other jobs and believed he was denied pay raises because of his race.



She said he told her: "I'm sick of having to quit jobs and get another job because they can't accept me."



Thornton's girlfriend of the past eight years, Kristi Hannah, said he showed her cell phone photos of racist graffiti in the bathroom at the beer company and overheard managers using a racial epithet in reference to him. Police said they recovered the phone and forensics experts would examine it.



The union's lawyer, Gregg Adler, said the claims of racial mistreatment can be difficult to disprove, but if they had been raised by any employee the union would have acted immediately.

AP Photo

Omar Thornton went on a shooting rampage at Hartford Distributors in Manchester, Conn., after being forced to resign, police and company officials said.

"There's not even a connection between the violence and the accusations as far as we can tell," Adler said. "The only people who were targeted were the people who happened to be in his meeting. And then he went to the warehouse, he just killed people who happened to be near the door."



The 911 operator attempted to keep Thornton on the phone and to talk him into surrendering. Thornton said he would not give up his location in the building and knew police were looking for him.



"When they find me that's when everything is going to be over," he said, assuring the operator he was not going to kill anyone else.



He then said he saw a SWAT team and hastened to get off the phone.



"Tell my people I love them and I gotta go now," he said.



Police found him dead with a gunshot wound to his head.



Associated Press writer John Christoffersen in New Haven contributed to this report.

OMG of the Day: Red River Drowning Survivor Says' Bottom of the River Was Falling'

(Aug. 4) -- In an instant, DeKendrix Warner went from wading in a few feet of water to struggling for his life after the bottom of the Louisiana's Red River suddenly dropped off nearly 30 feet.


"It felt like the ground fell and the water was pulling me under," DeKendrix told The Times of Shreveport. "I started yelling for help, and every time my foot touched the ground I'd fall again. The bottom of the river was falling."

Douglas Collier, The Shreveport Times

DeKendrix Warner, 15, collapses among family after authorities arrived at Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park on Monday.

As DeKendrix, 15, kicked and flailed Monday evening, six other teenagers in the group tried to save him, and one by one, they drowned. Nobody in the large group knew how to swim.


A life jacket was tossed out to the group but nobody could reach it.

"They were trying to save me and went under," DeKendrix told the paper.

Christopher Patlan heard the group screaming, jumped in and pulled DeKendrix to safety. By then, it was too late to save the others, he said.

"Everything happened so fast. It was like a wreck," Patlan told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The six children slipped away as their mothers and other adults looked on.


"It's hard when you can't save your kids," Maude Warner, who lost three children, told Shreveport's KTBS TV. "It's hard when you just see your kids just drowning and you can't save them."

The victims, ages 13 to 18, from Monday's drownings came from two families. Three of Warner's six children perished, her 13-year-old daughter, Takeitha, and sons JaMarcus, 14, and JaTavious, 17. Three brothers from the Stewart family died, Litrelle, 18; LaDairus, 17; and Latevin, 15.


The group had gathered to cool off in the river and barbecue on a hot summer afternoon. The area is near a public park but is not a designated swimming area and there was no lifeguard.


Fire officials said the river floor is unstable, and that the children entered an unfamiliar area where the river bottom dropped 20 to 28 feet. The six bodies were recovered from the muddy river floor after divers spent more than three hours searching for them.


Nishikia Warner, 15, spoke to The Times about her sister and brothers, and said she'll miss the football games they used to play.


Sitting on the front porch of her Shreveport home, she talked about how JaTavius took care of his younger siblings when they were home alone. He liked to cook and enjoyed a good prank, too, she said.


"He put ketchup in my ear when I was asleep," she told the paper.

Relatives and friends offered condolences Tuesday, hugging each other and holding a prayer vigil in their Shreveport neighborhood. Among them was the Rev. Emmitt Welch, who knew all six victims through his work as a Baptist youth minister.


"These are some of the greatest kids in the world," Welch said, according to AP. "I mean when you think about the ideal children, these kids are wonderful."