Featured
Bill Cosby’s Defense Team Says Lack of Juror Diversity “Potential Horrible Problem”
By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor)
PITTSBURGH—Bill Cosby’s legal team wants to know who’s behind the curtain, pulling the lever—and the wool over the eyes of potential African-American jurors.
On Tuesday, in explosive open court arguments, the comedian’s lawyers asked the judge to accept a Black female juror whom the prosecution had struck, because they said she couldn’t be trusted, because of a prior incident the woman had been involved in while a detective in the Pittsburgh Police Department.
“We believe this is systematic exclusion of African-Americans,” defense lawyer Brian McMonagle complained in lodging the challenge and citing a legal term known as a “Batson challenge.”
Jurors cannot not be excluded on the basis of race or gender, said McMonagle, noting that prosecutors used challenges to remove two Back women while accepting White jurors, who gave similar answers to questions.
“We believe it is of paramount importance we seat a diverse jury,” McMonagle said, adding that it would be a “potential horrible problem” if the jury sitting in judgment of the Black comedian accused of drugging and molesting a White woman was racially one-sided.
Assistant District Attorney Stewart Ryan denied race was the reason for striking the woman.
He said that one of the potential jurors had been a Pittsburgh police detective who was charged with falsifying time sheets in a department scandal; the charges were dismissed and she later filed a lawsuit against the city, according to NBC.
Her background, Ryan said, sparked concern that she could have a “bias against governmental entities.”
The attorneys and the judge retreated to a back room after the arguments. When they emerged, the judge said he had decided to keep the woman on the anonymous jury because the prosecution had offered a “race-neutral” explanation, though he encouraged the defense to present a statistical analysis of the prosecution’s jury decisions to bolster its claim of whitewashing.
However, the defense arguments appear to hold some water because, of the 100 potential jurors “randomly selected,” only about 10 were Black and most of those were given juror numbers that forced them toward the back of the pool requiring them to wait all day on Monday and almost until the end of the jury selection process on Tuesday, before they were called on.
The second day of jury selection ended with 11 people seated, 10 of them White and one of them Black. There are seven men and four women. Seven Black jurors have been questioned and dismissed for causes like hardship or having a fixed opinion or being a sexual assault victim.
Cosby, 79, said in a recent interview that he believes racism “could be” at the root of accusations of sexual misconduct that have piled up in the last two years. His daughters and attorneys have been more forceful in saying race has played a role in his legal troubles.
“Someone is pulling the strings, someone is behind the curtain,” said a courtroom watcher. “This process seems to have been rigged from the start and it seems the prosecution has formulated questions that are designed to prevent African-Americans from being on this jury.”
Featured
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30 Year Legacy of Education and Service at SIUE
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30-year legacy at SIUE is celebrated for empowering students. Honored at the Salute to Excellence Gala, her impact extends far beyond the classroom.
For 30 years, Dr. Earleen Patterson has helped students at SIUE find their path, build confidence and create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Her dedication to education and service will be honored at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala on Oct. 17. 🎓👏🏾
Read her story: https://www.stlamerican.com/salute-to-excellence/earleen-pattersons-legacy-rooted-in-education-service/
✒️ Na’Porsha Williams
📷 Lawrence Bryant
#STLAmerican #Salute39 #Education #BlackExcellence #SIUE
Featured
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
Rep. Christian Menefee shares insights on his first 250 days in Congress, key legislation, and the challenges of serving in the minority. Don’t miss this exclusive interview!
In an exclusive interview with The Defender, Texas Congressman Christian Menefee sits down to reflect on his first 250 days serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman Menefee shares key insights into his legislative priorities, introducing new bills, and navigating the day-to-day challenges of serving in the house minority. He breaks down why every vote matters in shaping our communities and offers a preview of the urgent legislative issues he plans to tackle next.

In this video, you’ll hear about: • Reflections on his first 250 days in Congress • Key legislation introduced and priority bills • Navigating the realities and strategy of serving in the house minority • Why civic engagement and voter participation remain critical • What lies ahead on his legislative agenda

Subscribe to The Defender for more exclusive political coverage, interviews, and community insights!
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#ChristianMenefee #USCongress #TexasPolitics #TheDefender #CommunityNews #CivicEngagement #houseofrepresentativeselection2026
Chapters
0:00 Introduction and the Importance of Voting
1:12 First 250 Days and Improving Constituent Services
2:40 Oversight Committee and Environmental Justice
4:05 Rebuilding an Empty Congressional Office
6:10 The SET Act: Ending Vacancies in Representation
8:25 Life in the Minority and Playing Defense
10:45 Foreign Policy, Inflation, and Gas Prices
12:50 Economic Goals: Child Care and Housing
14:20 Redistricting and Respecting Leadership
16:15 The Rotisserie Chicken Vote and SNAP Benefits
18:20 Congressional Black Caucus Highlights
19:45 Final Call to Action for Texas Voters
Make sure to check your voter registration status and head to the polls to make your voice heard in the upcoming election. If you found this update helpful, please like this video and subscribe to stay informed on the issues that matter most to your community. 📢
#TexasPolitics #Congress #Houston #VotingRights #ChristianMenefee
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https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/
Bakersfield News Observer
News Observer Weekly — October 7, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Nolan Wells’ mysterious death remains unsolved, while Kern County ballots are now in voters’ hands. This week’s top 5 stories, up now on News Observer Weekly.
Nolan Wells was eighteen. A Mississippi grand jury says nobody is responsible for his death. The state medical examiner says she can’t tell you how he died. The district attorney’s message to the family was, we’ll never know. The family’s answer was, we’ll never stop.
This week on News Observer Weekly, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that mattered most to our readers — from Observer Group Newspapers, publishers of the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer and Valley’s News Observer, serving Kern County, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.
ONE THING THIS WEEK
Kern County ballots started going out Oct. 5. When yours arrives: fill it out,
SIGN AND DATE THE ENVELOPE (unsigned ballots cannot be processed), and return it
by mail (no stamp, postmarked by Nov. 3) or to a 24-hour drop box by 8 p.m. on
Nov. 3. Not registered? The regular deadline is Oct. 19; same-day registration
is available in person after that through Election Day. Track your ballot with
“Where’s My Ballot” at kernvote.com. Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590.
NOW LAW
AB 2599, the Truth in Disclosure Act, signed Sept. 30. California is the first
state to require companies with $100 million or more in worldwide receipts to
disclose, under penalty of perjury, whether they or their predecessors profited
from chattel slavery.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:37 Justice: Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case
3:25 Sacramento: Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery
5:55 Inglewood: Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project
8:34 Kern County: Your Ballot Is in the Mail: Here Is What Kern County Voters Need to Know
10:21 Los Angeles: Mayor Bass Hosts 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to Prepare Small Businesses for LA28 Contracts
12:22 What to do this week
THE FULL STORIES
Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case
2. Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery
Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery
3. Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project
Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project
4. Your Ballot Is in the Mail: Here Is What Kern County Voters Need to Know
Your ballot is in the mail. Here is what Kern County voters need to know
5. Mayor Bass Hosts 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to Prepare Small Businesses for LA28 Contracts
If you are in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and available 24 hours a day, by call or text.
Read everything at ognsc.com
Subscribe for the top five, every week.
Featured
Antron Brown Takes His Impact Beyond the Racetrack
Antron Brown’s influence extends far beyond the racetrack. Discover how this racing legend is making a difference off the track.
Antron Brown’s impact reaches beyond the finish line. See how the racing star is taking his success beyond the track.
Read more: https://www.stlamerican.com/sports/antron-brown-takes-racing-success-beyond-the-track/
#stlamerican #AntronBrown #Motorsports
Featured
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry
Get the scoop on today’s hottest stories with Rodney Perry on Black Press USA’s Morning Show. Don’t miss the conversation behind the headlines!
Today on Black Press USA’s Morning Show, we’re breaking down the stories driving the conversation.
Watch Black Press USA’s Morning Show for the headlines, the context, and the conversation behind the news.
#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews
Featured
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry 📱
Rodney Perry tackles today’s hot topics on Black Press USA’s Morning Show. Don’t miss the breakdown of the stories everyone’s talking about.
Today on Black Press USA’s Morning Show, we’re breaking down the stories driving the conversation.
Watch Black Press USA’s Morning Show for the headlines, the context, and the conversation behind the news.
#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews
134 Black-Owned Banks Founded: See How Many Remain Today! #shorts
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30 Year Legacy of Education and Service at SIUE
Latinas Deserve Equal Pay. Unions Help Make It Happen.
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
Unlock Your Best Auto Loan: Ask These Questions! #shorts
News Observer Weekly — October 7, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Atlas Family Comfort: Worth the Extra Cash? #shorts
Antron Brown Takes His Impact Beyond the Racetrack
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry 📱
Latest Massacre in Haiti Reveals Cruelty U.S. Deportations
The Youngest American Killed in the Vietnam War
Booked and Unbound: The Legacy of Black Women’s Literary Circles
Passing for White, Fighting for Black America: The Courage of Walter White
Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life
OPINION: Nolan Wells’ Death One of Several Signifying Racial Terror Lives on in U.S. South
OP-ED: If AI Is the New Language of Power, Then NAN Wants Black Communities Fluent
OP-ED: Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?
OP-ED: How Does Your State Rank for Pre-K?
Henry O. Flipper: A Trailblazer at West Point and Beyond
134 Black-Owned Banks Founded: See How Many Remain Today! #shorts
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30 Year Legacy of Education and Service at SIUE
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
Unlock Your Best Auto Loan: Ask These Questions! #shorts
News Observer Weekly — October 7, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Atlas Family Comfort: Worth the Extra Cash? #shorts
Antron Brown Takes His Impact Beyond the Racetrack
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry 📱
Jamal’s Take: Cowboys’ Epic Comeback Win and Dak’s Dominance Against Houston
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