Jul 03 2010

Patricia Ballaz Awarded $1.732 Million

Tag: US NewsRaluca Dina @ 1:14 pm

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury, after one-day of deliberation, awarded Patricia “Patti” Ballaz $1.732 million in damages in her civil lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department. A camerawoman for KTTV FOX 11 news, Ms. Ballaz was repeatedly battered by members of the LAPD while covering the May Day 2007 Immigration Rights Rally at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, sustaining severe physical and emotional injuries.

The trial began on June 15, 2010 and jury deliberations began on July 1, 2010. The case was heard before the Hon. William F. Highberger. The Ballaz case, consolidated with other similar lawsuits, is known under the lead case name of Thomas Frederick Mecozzi vs. City of Los Angeles, and Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BC377597.

“This has been an extremely difficult and exhausting road to travel,” said Patricia Ballaz, “and I’m grateful to the jury for holding the Los Angeles Police Department accountable for its unwarranted attack upon my body and soul. I’d also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Los Angeles City officials and high-ranking members of the LAPD who did not sit idly by, but expressed their outrage at the wrongdoing that occurred at MacArthur Park. Their respect for the truth will always be meaningful to me.”

“May 1, 2007 is a day that I will never forget, it is a day that has changed my life forever,” continued Patricia Ballaz. “My genuine hope is that this trial and its verdict will serve as a strong reminder to the LAPD to think twice about using excessive force in any kind of situation. Our free speech and civil rights are precious and if we can’t rely on the police to protect them, who can we trust?”

“The jury found that the LAPD failed to adhere to its own rules on crowd control and in protecting the Constitutional rights of the news media covering the 2007 May Day rally in MacArthur Park,” stated Browne Greene, “including Patti Ballaz’ free speech rights. Patti’s victory today is bittersweet as she will bear the physical and emotional scars of that fateful day for the rest of her life. Our firm stands proud in helping Patti have her day in court.”

“We thank the jury for finding that the LAPD used unjustified, excessive force against our client, Patricia Ballaz,” stated Robert D. Jarchi, “while she worked for KTTV FOX television news as a camerawoman reporting on the May Day Immigration Rights Rally in 2007. Police misconduct against law-abiding citizens has no place in our society. We applaud Patti’s courage in asserting her Constitutional rights and standing up to the LAPD throughout this trial.”

Patricia Ballaz was wearing press credentials and was working as a camera operator for KTTV FOX 11 news alongside reporter and co-worker Christina Gonzalez, covering the May 1, 2007 Immigration Rights Rally in Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park. Without justification, baton-wielding LAPD officers at the event repeatedly struck Ms. Ballaz and pushed her to the ground. The police officers verbally threatened her at gunpoint because she was a member of the news media and because of her Hispanic/Mexican ancestry; the LAPD also shot weapons at or near her body. Ms. Ballaz sustained severe physical and emotional injuries, and she is unable to return to her job as a cameraperson.


Apr 05 2010

7.2 magnitude quake hits Mexico

Tag: BusinessRaluca Dina @ 3:17 pm

At least one person killed following 7.2 magnitude earthquake near Mexico-California border

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Jan 06 2010

CES: Lenovo laptop splits in two

Tag: BusinessRaluca Dina @ 12:59 pm

The Ideapad U1 looks like a conventional Windows laptop but detach the screen and it becomes a tablet PC. The display portion of the computer includes a second processor, battery and Linux operating system to power multimedia applications.


Oct 03 2009

Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics

Tag: SportRaluca Dina @ 12:55 pm

Rio de Janeiro Gets 2016 Olympics. Fiesta can start now!

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Jan 07 2009

David Bugliari

Tag: Life StyleRaluca Dina @ 12:56 am

Alyssa Milano just got engaged to her CAA agent boyfriend David Bugliari.

Alyssa Milano granted restraining order; Roman Polanski hearing suspended; BRIT Awards nominations out. See more in below video news:


Jul 21 2008

Baby elephant learns to paint

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 1:28 pm

A family of painting elephants prepare to wow audiences at a Japanese zoo. An elephant couple and their one year old baby put paint onto canvas with a paintbrush held in their trunks to display their artistic abilities.

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Jul 21 2008

Twins in rare colour difference.

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 1:15 pm

A couple in Germany has become famous for being the parents ot twins born with different skin colours Leo and Ryan were born in a clinic in Berlin last week and have since become celebrities. Their parents are from Germany and Ghana and one brother was born with completely different colour skin to the other. Doctors say its incredibly rare.

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Jul 19 2008

Bikini-Clad Model Hawks Condo Giveaway

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 10:23 am

A Massachusetts developer is using a sexy online spokesmodel to promote a condominium giveaway.
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Jul 19 2008

Dancing Dogs

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 10:21 am

Fido Dancing Dogs in Tokyo
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Jul 19 2008

Pregnant Teacher Charged

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 10:19 am

Ohio group home teacher charged after sex with 16-year-old boy.
Continue reading “Pregnant Teacher Charged”


Jul 19 2008

Funny Rants: Deal or not Deal

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 10:14 am

Funny Rants
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Apr 29 2008

Revving up for Grand Theft Auto IV

Tag: TechnologyRaluca Dina @ 10:20 pm

Eager fans await the release of the latest Grand Theft Auto game. Take Two could benefit from a big win with Grand Theft Auto IV, because it will give it more leverage as it fends off a hostile takeover bid from rival Electronic Arts.

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Apr 26 2008

Alligator Makes Self at Home

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 10:54 am

A 69-year-old Florida woman finds an 8-foot alligator in her kitchen, apparently finding its way inside through a sliding glass door left open. A trapper removed the gator, which cut itself when a plate fell to the floor.

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Apr 26 2008

Billboard to promote a local gunshow.

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 10:39 am

Motorists who drive I-83 in southern Pennsylvania are getting an eyeful from a billboard that’s using sex to promote a local gunshow. Is it too racy?

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Apr 19 2008

Mail-order tortoise concerns

Tag: World NewsRaluca Dina @ 6:14 pm

A firm which imports tortoises from Europe is facing criticism over the delivery of live reptiles by post.

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Apr 19 2008

Flu Season Kills 66 Children

Tag: HealthRaluca Dina @ 6:12 pm

This last flu season killed 66 children; Incontinence drugs are causing memory problems; Problems at work could make you lose sleep.

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Apr 19 2008

Hydrogen car project begins

Tag: TechnologyRaluca Dina @ 5:49 pm

Researchers in the British Midlands have set up a filling station for their pollution-free hydrogen cars.

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Apr 18 2008

The Forbidden Kingdom

Tag: EntertainmentRaluca Dina @ 10:05 pm

“The Forbidden Kingdom” movie review: the first film to unite Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

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Apr 18 2008

Victoria’s Secret Marks 10 Years of ‘Angels’

Tag: EntertainmentRaluca Dina @ 9:48 pm

Since 1998, Victoria’s Secret has featured the world’s top models on their runways — from Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks to Gisele Bundchen. The lingerie chain’s flagship store in New York showcases an exhibit celebrating the anniversary.

Continue reading “Victoria’s Secret Marks 10 Years of ‘Angels’”


Apr 18 2008

Dubai a paradise for architects

Tag: World NewsRaluca Dina @ 8:58 pm

All glass, concrete and steel, rising from the desert sands, Dubai has in the space of decades become a symbol of architectural innovation, proving a boon for architects seeking to display their prowess

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Apr 18 2008

Attacks by Wild Turkeys

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 9:48 am

Ten to 15 wild turkeys have taken over one Madison, Wisconsin, Neighborhood. Postal workers say the turkeys have attacked them on occasion. They say they are now protecting themselves to fend off the foul.

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Apr 18 2008

Microsoft Surface Arrives at AT&T Stores

Tag: TechnologyRaluca Dina @ 9:43 am

WSJ’s Amol Sharma gets a first look at how AT&T stores are using Microsoft Surface, a new technology that uses a sensitive tabletop interface to provide users with an interactive way of getting information.
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Mar 24 2008

Man Hypnotizes Cashier and Steals Money

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 12:22 pm

Italian police have issued surveillance video of a man who appeared to hypnotize a supermarket cashier before stealing money from her cash register.

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Mar 15 2008

Mascots Fight During Basketball Game

Tag: OddRaluca Dina @ 2:23 am

The men’s championship game between Oral Roberts University and IUPUI of the Summit League, was overshadowed when a fight between the teams mascots erupted like a royal flush win in poker.

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