Gospel singer James Fortune charged with assault
buzzz worthy. . .
James Howard Fortune, a popular gospel recording artist and the host of Radio One's nationally syndicated James Fortune Show was charged with aggravated assault of a family member in Fort Bend County, Texas on October 23. My Fox Houston broke the news, posting a mug shot of the Grammy nominated artist on their Web site and stating he had been released on $20,000 bond on the following day. No other details were given.
The "Live Through It" singer had a prior brush in with the law that was related to child abuse allegations. He was accused of beating and placing his step son in scalding water, damaging a significant portion of his skin when the child was four. The boy's biological father served both Fortune and his wife Cheryl with a civil law suit in June of 2012.
At that time Fortune released a statement indicating amicable interaction with his step son, then 15: ". . .my family and I, including my stepson, have continued with family traditions and always have a loving family environment. We are shocked by this lawsuit but understand people are free to use the court system to pursue claims, whether they contain merit or baseless matters. We are confident through this process, if it proceeds to a judge or jury, the ultimate decision maker will render a decision that is favorable to the circumstances and timing surrounding this situation. . ."
Details regarding the previous offense were summarized as follows on Examiner.com two years ago:
James Howard Fortune, a popular gospel recording artist and the host of Radio One's nationally syndicated James Fortune Show was charged with aggravated assault of a family member in Fort Bend County, Texas on October 23. My Fox Houston broke the news, posting a mug shot of the Grammy nominated artist on their Web site and stating he had been released on $20,000 bond on the following day. No other details were given.
The "Live Through It" singer had a prior brush in with the law that was related to child abuse allegations. He was accused of beating and placing his step son in scalding water, damaging a significant portion of his skin when the child was four. The boy's biological father served both Fortune and his wife Cheryl with a civil law suit in June of 2012.
At that time Fortune released a statement indicating amicable interaction with his step son, then 15: ". . .my family and I, including my stepson, have continued with family traditions and always have a loving family environment. We are shocked by this lawsuit but understand people are free to use the court system to pursue claims, whether they contain merit or baseless matters. We are confident through this process, if it proceeds to a judge or jury, the ultimate decision maker will render a decision that is favorable to the circumstances and timing surrounding this situation. . ."
Details regarding the previous offense were summarized as follows on Examiner.com two years ago:
In 2001 Mr. Fortune allegedly abused his step son, age 4 at the time. . . Fortune whipped the naked child with a switch, then held him down in a tub of scalding water—all for coloring on a table at school. The boy was flown by life flight to the Shriner’s Burn Hospital, where he remained for 63 days with second and third degree burns over 47% of his body.
In 2003 James Fortune plead guilty to felony injury to a child and received 6 years of deferred adjudication.
Now 15, the child has undergone several skin graft surgeries. He sustained some permanent injuries. The victim’s biological father is suing the Fortunes for $5 million to cover additional plastic surgery to correct the disfigurement.
Very little has been released about the current charge. Last week Isaac Caree substituted as host of Fortune was reportedly away in Africa.
An update to this developing story will be posted as more details become available.
UPDATE
The Slice confirmed on Monda that the charges against ame Fortune were domestic violence related.
An update to this developing story will be posted as more details become available.
UPDATE
The Slice confirmed on Monda that the charges against ame Fortune were domestic violence related.
