Aretha Franklin note that was found under her sofa is legal will, jury rules
A handwritten note found underneath the sofa of the late soul singer Aretha Franklin can be used as her legal last will and testament, a jury has ruled.
The decision was the latest turn in a dispute that has pitted her sons against each other, after Franklin died leaving no formal will behind.
Two separate handwritten notes were discovered by Franklin’s niece following her death – one dated 2010 and one dated 2014 – which named different sons as executors to her estate.
The note from 2010 was discovered in a locked cabinet at the late singer’s home, which named Ted White II as the executor. Meanwhile, the document from 2014 was discovered under a cushion on the sofa, and saw Ted White II’s name crossed out, and Kecalf Franklin named in his place.
According to that document, Kecalf and grandchildren would inherit her main home, which was valued at $1.1m (£850,000) when she died but is worth much more today.
It took less than an hour for the jury in Michigan to deliberate in favour of Kecalf and his brother Edward.
Kecalf said: “I’m very, very happy. I just wanted my mother’s wishes to be adhered to.
“We just want to exhale right now. It’s been a long five years for my family, my children.”
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A lawyer examining one of the notes at the centre of the trial. Pic: AP
Both notes, while different, said that all four of her sons would share money made from royalties and copyright.
The managers of Franklin’s estate have been settling tax debts and attempting to generate money from music royalties and other intellectual property, with the dispute over the will being largely unfinished business.
The older document had stated Kecalf and Edward “must take business classes and get a certificate or a degree” before they could benefit from the estate – a provision removed from the 2014 note.
Kecalf Franklin and his family following the trial. Pic: AP
During the brief court case, Ted White II argued against the 2014 will, saying “with all the time I spent working with her administratively … every other document that she ever signed was something that was done conventionally and legally” – and with assistance from a lawyer,
Denying a rift with his brother, Kecalf told reporters: “I love my brother with all my heart.”
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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