Heroes and villains are made in the media and court trials have a way of dividing America. They serve as entertainment as the public roots for or against defendants.

Controversial cases always make for controversial verdicts; and we’ve seen many in the last 20 years.

Here’s a list of the top 5 most controversial court verdicts of all time.

5. Casey Anthony

Casey Anthony was accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter Kaylee in Orlando, Florida. She would be charged with murder and the prosecution would call for the death penalty. The trial would last for six weeks and attract a ton of media attention. Anthony would later be found not guilty of murdering her daughter due to reasonable doubt.

The verdict sent many Americans across the country into an uproar, and forced police to protect Anthony from threats of violence.

4. Sean Bell Trial

After Sean Bell was killed by New York City police outside a club in Queens, New York, three officers were later charged in the shooting which consisted of 50 shots shot into a vehicle full of unarmed men.

Gescard Isnora and Michael Oliver were charged with manslaughter, reckless endangerment and assault. The policemen chose to have the verdict chosen by a judge and a jury and were found not guilty of all charges.

3. O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson was charged with killing his wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman outside his house in Brentwood, California.

O.J. would be defended by legendary lawyer Johnnie Cochran in what many call the “trial of the century.” O.J. would be found not guilty of murder and the reaction to the verdict would cause racial tension.

2. Rodney King

In 1991, a bystander recorded several police officers brutally beating Rodney King on his camera. Sergeant Stacey Koon and officers Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind, Theodore Briseno, and Rolando Solano were charged with using excessive force. The trial was transferred from Los Angeles to the mostly white and conservative Simi Valley, where they were found not guilty despite the video evidence.

1. Oscar Grant Verdict

On New Year’s eve 2009, Bay Area Transit Officer Johannes Mehserle, was recorded killing unarmed Oscar Grant while on the ground in handcuffs. Mehserle would be found not guilty of both second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges, but found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

He wound up being sentenced to two years in prison — but only served one — and was recently release to much anger from many across the country.

The subject has been very quiet amongst the media for what seems like an eternity as court proceedings took place, but this week, there’s word that Bishop Eddie Long and his accusers have “reached a settlement” and that each of the lawsuits filed will be “dismissed, with prejudice, by close of business tomorrow.”

As quickly as it came, now it’s gone, but do you think this is just a means of silencing the gossip, the rumors and even the accusers who so boldly told their truths last year?

What are your thoughts? Share them with us below on the message board. Do you really think this is the end of the saga?

Find out more about the case and the apparent settlement via the links below.

COMPLETE BISHOP EDDIE LONG COVERAGE:

Settlement Reached in Bishop Eddie Long’s Court Case

Victims of Bishop Eddie Long Sex Scandal Continue to Reveal Their Truth

Roland Martin Interviews Lawyer in Bishop Eddie Long Sex Scandal

Abuse Accuser Left Letter For Bishop Eddie Long “You Are A Monster”

Bishop Eddie Long Scandal Photos Released By Attorney

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BALTIMORE — The woman who played a Baltimore drug gang assassin in HBO’s “The Wire” has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to sell heroin.

Felicia “Snoop” Pearson entered the plea Tuesday morning during an arraignment in Baltimore Circuit Court. An Aug. 9 jury trial date was set.

Pearson is one of 64 people charged in March in “Operation Usual Suspects,” a joint state-federal prosecution of an alleged east Baltimore drug gang. She is charged in an indictment with conspiring with two men to distribute heroin.

The 30-year-old Pearson was released weeks later on $50,000 bond with electronic monitoring that has allowed her to leave the state to pursue her acting career.

She declined to comment after the arraignment. Attorney Benjamin Sutley says it’s too early to know if the three will be tried together.

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Snoop from “The Wire” maintains her innocence in drug arrest

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The Huffington Post reports:

Banton was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. He was acquitted of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine

Much of the case hinged on meetings and phone calls that were video and audiotaped by the confidential informant, who was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration – and who made $50,000 in commission after the bust.

Read The Whole Story

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Jut a few short months ago we reported that the R&B/soul music starlet and “American Idol” winner was indeed pregnant with her boyfriend Antwaun Cook’s child, but we never saw a baby bump. Well, now sources are confirming that they have official confirmation, a statement and pics:

Tells the family member, “Fantasia is just short of three months pregnant.”

Take a look at a pic found at mediatakeout.com that confirms the baby bump. Do you think it’s for real this time? Or has Fantasia just been eating a little more frequently and working out a little less frequently. You tell us!

Here’s hoping that Fantasia & Antwaun have a happy life together!

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Do you recall anything positive about this situation that you’d like to share? Post your musical memories concerning our girl Fantasia on our Buzz Facebook Fan Page (click link or image). Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter – @1230amWDBZ.

According to Bobbie, the judge granted Steve a temporary injuction against those YouTube videos that Mary made, and gave the Harveys a “contempt of court” hearing date for March 10, 2011. When the Harveys appear in court on that date, it will be to decide if Mary should be sanctioned or punished for violating the couple’s gag order.

READ THE REST HERE

Aren’t we all glad the drama is over? What are your thoughts on it all? Let us know by posting your comments on the message board below. Join the discussions on our Buzz Facebook Fan Page (click link or image). Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter – @1230amWDBZ.

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Fantasia Barrino has admitted she got pregnant by her married lover Antwaun Cook and had an abortion around the time of her failed suicide attempt, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

The American Idol winner made the sensational confession in a North Carolina court on Monday during Cook’s divorce proceeding with his ex-wife Paula.

Facing questions before a Mecklenburg County Court judge, the famous singer, 26, was pressed on whether she knew Cook was living with Paula when they embarked on their illicit affair.

The Idol season three winner has acknowledged she dated Cook “off and on for about 11 months” but said she believed he had separated from his wife.

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Is Fantasia Pregnant?

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Last night, downtown Cincinnati streets were filled with eager and overly excited “Who Dey” fans, but apparently a few of them got out of control after the game.

Monday Night Football quickly turned into a Monday Night Brawl as two fans – Darin Floyd and Steven Taylor – were involved in two separate altercations during the Bengals’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now were they really all that upset at the final score in the game? Who knows, but they surely didn’t think about that at all because both of the individuals were reportedly fighting police officers. What (sober) grown men do you know that are stupid enough to fight, kick and even swing at a cop? I’ll leave that one alone. It’s way too early.

Both Floyd and Taylor have been hit with multiple charges including assault, resisting arrest and vandalism. Floyd and Taylor are also reportedly headed to court sometime today. Find more on the case and the story itself at WCPO.com. What do you think of the situation? Post your responses on the message board below.

Share your thoughts with us here at TheBuzzCincy.com – the online home of 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz. Link up with Cincinnati’s community and inspiration station by checking us out on TheBuzzCincy.com. Let us know here or check out the conversations with 1230AM WDBZ‘s network of friends on on Facebook, or join our group page here – 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz Group Page.

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According to the NY Post, Naomi Campbell’s former agent, Carole White, wants the supermodel to be investigated by the Manhattan DA for possible perjury, claiming she lied under oath in an affidavit. White’s company is suing Campbell for allegedly backing out of a perfume deal and stiffing her on commissions. Campbell is countersuing, claiming White misrepresented her role in fragrance company Moodform Mission. The Post’s Dareh Gregorian reports Moodform’s lawyer, Daniel Bright, is now asking the judge to refer the case to the DA for possible criminal prosecution. Campbell’s lawyer “unequivocally” denied the charge.

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Share your thoughts with us here at TheBuzzCincy.com – the online home of 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz. Link up with Cincinnati’s community and inspiration station by checking us out on TheBuzzCincy.com. Let us know here or check out the conversations with 1230AM WDBZ‘s network of friends on on Facebook, or join our group page here – 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz Group Page.

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Tell us what you enjoy most about our coverage and post your comments below right here at TheBuzzCincy.com – the online home of 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz, Cincinnati’s community and inspiration station.

Rapper T.I. had his probation revoked by a federal judge today and was sentenced to 11 months in prison according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

T.I. was busted last month on felony possession of a controlled substance while he was also on probation for a 2009 federal gun possession conviction.

We’re told one of the officers from Wednesday’s jumper incident testified on T.I.’s behalf. The story and reports are currently being updated as we speak so stay tuned for additional content and coverage as they become available.

Were you all expecting this outcome? What are your thoughts? Share them on the message board below.

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Share your thoughts with us here at TheBuzzCincy.com – the online home of 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz. Link up with Cincinnati’s community and inspiration station by checking us out on TheBuzzCincy.com. Let us know here or check out the conversations with 1230AM WDBZ‘s network of friends on on Facebook, or join our group page here – 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz Group Page.

For faster updates, follow us on Twitter (@1230amWDBZ). As always, keep up with us on BlackPlanet and check out all of our video exclusives on YouTube.

Tell us what you enjoy most about our coverage and post your comments below right here at TheBuzzCincy.com – the online home of 1230AM WDBZ The Buzz, Cincinnati’s community and inspiration station.