A Week In Review: July 25th – August 1st, 2018

The docu-series “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” produced by JAYZ and the Martin family premiered on BET this week highlighting the life of Trayvon Martin before and after his fatal encounter with George Zimmerman in 2012.

The series takes an in-depth look into the shooting and subsequant trial that found Zimmerman not guilty of murder charges after he chased down and murdered 17 year old Martin who was holding Skittles and a soft drink. The series has viewers questioning Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, and it’s inappropriate use by criminal defense attorneys who’s clients wrongfully shoot someone.

This will be the second documentary JAYZ has been involved with since he produced his last film about Kalief Browder, the boy was was wrongfully accused of theft and held in jail where he sustained irrepable phycological damage and killed himself upon his eventual release.

The series will air on BET and is part of a 6 part project.

In Egypt three social media influencers were arrested for doing the challenge and posting it online which prosecutors are saying poses public safety concerns. Several cities around the world have announced fines and possible jail time for reckless participants caught attempting the challenge.

The trial that has politicians anxiously anticipating an outcome that could have implications on Donald Trump’s presidency began this past Tuesday. Paul Manafort was Trump’s campaign manager before being let go after stories of money laundering and fraud allegations began to surface after it was announced he would be in charge of the campaign’s direction.

Although the case isn’t directly related to Trump, it is speculated that FBI director Robert Mueller is applying pressure to Manafort in an attempt to get him to give up collusion information he has between Russia and Trump in exchange for a lighter sentence. Although Mueller has not confirmed his legal strategy, he has previously confirmed he would be investigating Manafort and Trump’s involvement with Russia.

Mueller alleges that Manafort defrauded US banks out of millions of dollars and laundered money from Ukraine, hitting Paul with a total of 18 charges.

The story of how an ex-cop scammed McDonalds out of millions of dollars with the help of a variety of criminals including drug traffickers and mobsters is taking over the internet and being turned into a movie. FBI agents caught Jerry Jacobson and 7 others uncovering the racket Jacobson had created by selling stolen McDonalds monopoly prize tickets.

As the sole person in charge of overseeing the production of the famous McDonald’s monopoly prize tickets, Jerry Jacobson had access to all the prize tickets he could want. Giving prizes out to friends who would claim the money under different names, usually in a neighboring state; Jacobson made millions taking cuts of illegal earnings since the early 2000’s.

The FBI began their investigation after a tip was given to agents over the phone that claimed an individual named “Uncle Jerry” was defrauding McDonalds. After investigators informed McDonald’s cooperate office, their lawyers agreed to cooprerate with authorities and gave the government a list of all the people who had claimed prizes recently.

After tracing records and tapping phone lines, the feds uncovered a mafia like organization all fuled by Jacobson’s illegal “prizes”. Currently Jacobson is being held on 1 million dollars bond for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Chris Casarez moved to California to begin his dream of starting a tech company. After losing all his money on his investments, Casarez fell on hard times and lost his home. Instead of asking for money he created a sign that read: “Homeless. Hungry 4 Success. Take a resume.”

A passing motorist Jasmine Scofield saw Casarez dressed in his best holding up his sign and took his resume and posted it on her twitter account eventually creating a viral response.

Scofield tweeted:

Since the post, Netflix, Pandora, Apple, Google, Amazon and other top tech companies have reached out to recruit him changing his life situation almost immediately. An outpouring of support also came to David’s aid with strangers offering community resources and help until he was able to find employment.

The viral moment has also shed light on the darker side of Scillicon Valley that’s amassing a large group of struggling tech professionals.

In what seems to be a streak of killings, New Orleans suffers another fatal shooting after two men opened fired in a large crowd Sunday night. Two men and one women were pronounced dead at the scene while 7 other individuals were taken to local area hospitals.

The Mayor of New Orleans LaToya Cantrell spoke on the incident and reassured citizens that “There is no place in New Orleans for this kind of violence.” Cantrell continued: “I speak for everyone in our city when I say we are disgusted, we are infuriated, and we have had more than enough…Three more lives — gone. It has to end. This happened near my neighborhood, on the edge of Broadmoor. It’s unacceptable anywhere.”

Currently the suspects are at large and New Orleans police are asking for the public’s assistance in aprehending the two suspects.

This along with recent shootings in the area make this the 7th fatal shooting in New Orleans within the past two weeks.