Bring That Week Back: Week of May 17

Janet Jackson has a new 'do; Lawrence Taylor is in trouble (again). Get more top stories!

Family to Sue Teacher Who Beat Student - The family of a 13-year-old whose beating by a Houston charter school teacher was caught on a classmate's cell phone video has filed a lawsuit against the teacher and the school. The lawsuit was filed last Thursday on behalf of Isaiah Reagins by his mother, Alesha Johnson.  Science teacher Sheri Lynn Davis was fired Monday night from Jamie's House Charter School. Her dismissal came after video of Reagins' beating became public. His family says the boy suffered a black eye and other bruises.

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Family to Sue Teacher Who Beat Student - The family of a 13-year-old whose beating by a Houston charter school teacher was caught on a classmate's cell phone video has filed a lawsuit against the teacher and the school. The lawsuit was filed last Thursday on behalf of Isaiah Reagins by his mother, Alesha Johnson. Science teacher Sheri Lynn Davis was fired Monday night from Jamie's House Charter School. Her dismissal came after video of Reagins' beating became public. His family says the boy suffered a black eye and other bruises.

Rapper Killed on Set, Four Charged - Georgia rapper Yung Hott was shot and killed Saturday night on the set of a video he was filming. The rapper, whose real name is Jerode Paige, died on the scene. At least 20 rounds of bullets were fired and four other people (including a 5-year-old girl), also suffered injuries that are believed to be non-life-threatening. Four suspects (Bahir Howard, 22, Corderra Walker, 21, Terry James Fuller, 31 and Terrance Jones, 23) are being held on murder charges.

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Rapper Killed on Set, Four Charged - Georgia rapper Yung Hott was shot and killed Saturday night on the set of a video he was filming. The rapper, whose real name is Jerode Paige, died on the scene. At least 20 rounds of bullets were fired and four other people (including a 5-year-old girl), also suffered injuries that are believed to be non-life-threatening. Four suspects (Bahir Howard, 22, Corderra Walker, 21, Terry James Fuller, 31 and Terrance Jones, 23) are being held on murder charges.

Obamas Host State Dinner, Beyoncé Performs - The Obamas hosted their second state dinner Wednesday evening in honor of Mexican President Felipe Calderson and his wife Margarita Zavala. Unlike the first state dinner, the event was free of party crashers, mainly due to tightened security. The dinner guest list of 200 included Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez and Olympic speedskater Shani Davis. Beyoncé, who came with hubby Jay-Z, also performed.

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Obamas Host State Dinner, Beyoncé Performs - The Obamas hosted their second state dinner Wednesday evening in honor of Mexican President Felipe Calderson and his wife Margarita Zavala. Unlike the first state dinner, the event was free of party crashers, mainly due to tightened security. The dinner guest list of 200 included Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez and Olympic speedskater Shani Davis. Beyoncé, who came with hubby Jay-Z, also performed.

Kanye’s Album Pushed Back - Kanye West’s new album, “Good A** Job,” originally set for a June release, will instead come out in September, according to Def Jam insiders. Jay-Z’s greatest hits album is reportedly scheduled to come out in June, according to the NY Post, which might have something to do with Kanye’s project being pushed back.

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Kanye’s Album Pushed Back - Kanye West’s new album, “Good A** Job,” originally set for a June release, will instead come out in September, according to Def Jam insiders. Jay-Z’s greatest hits album is reportedly scheduled to come out in June, according to the NY Post, which might have something to do with Kanye’s project being pushed back.

Queen Latifah to Host BET Awards - It was announced this week that musician and actress Queen Latifah will host this year’s BET Awards. This is the 10th anniversary of the mega-hit, No. 1 rated awards show among African-American viewers. The ceremony will broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 8/7 C.

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Queen Latifah to Host BET Awards - It was announced this week that musician and actress Queen Latifah will host this year’s BET Awards. This is the 10th anniversary of the mega-hit, No. 1 rated awards show among African-American viewers. The ceremony will broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 8/7 C.

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New 'Do - Janet Jackson switched up her 'do just in time for the summer. While promoting “Why Did I Get Married Too?” in London, she was spotted with this short, slicked back, hairstyle as she was leaving a restaurant. This is a public first for Janet, who has always sported longer hair in the past.

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New 'Do - Janet Jackson switched up her 'do just in time for the summer. While promoting “Why Did I Get Married Too?” in London, she was spotted with this short, slicked back, hairstyle as she was leaving a restaurant. This is a public first for Janet, who has always sported longer hair in the past.

Knicks Guard Caught with Drugs - New York police found marijuana in the car of New York Knicks guard Wilson Chandler. He was stopped Tuesday night in Queens while driving his Mercedes with the headlights off at around 11:15 p.m. Police smelled marijuana and recovered six small baggies of pot with a combined weight of under 2 ounces. Officers charged the 23-year-old player, and his friend, with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

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Knicks Guard Caught with Drugs - New York police found marijuana in the car of New York Knicks guard Wilson Chandler. He was stopped Tuesday night in Queens while driving his Mercedes with the headlights off at around 11:15 p.m. Police smelled marijuana and recovered six small baggies of pot with a combined weight of under 2 ounces. Officers charged the 23-year-old player, and his friend, with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Detroit Police Kill 7-Year-Old - Detroit officers, looking for a homicide suspect, burst into an apartment and fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Jones as she lay sleeping on the living room sofa early Sunday morning. Police say the shot was fired accidentally. Detroit’s police chief has apologized for the tragedy. Aiyana’s family has retained an attorney and lawsuits filed in federal court in Detroit and in Wayne County Circuit Court claim police knew there were children in the home but conducted the raid with guns drawn anyway.

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Detroit Police Kill 7-Year-Old - Detroit officers, looking for a homicide suspect, burst into an apartment and fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Jones as she lay sleeping on the living room sofa early Sunday morning. Police say the shot was fired accidentally. Detroit’s police chief has apologized for the tragedy. Aiyana’s family has retained an attorney and lawsuits filed in federal court in Detroit and in Wayne County Circuit Court claim police knew there were children in the home but conducted the raid with guns drawn anyway.

Arab American Wins Miss USA Title - Rima Fakih, a Lebanese immigrant, was crowned Miss USA Sunday at the pageant held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Fakih, an Arab American from Dearborn, Michigan, told pageant organizers her family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths. She moved to the United States as a baby and was raised in New York, where she attended a Catholic school. Her family moved to Michigan in 2003.

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Arab American Wins Miss USA Title - Rima Fakih, a Lebanese immigrant, was crowned Miss USA Sunday at the pageant held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Fakih, an Arab American from Dearborn, Michigan, told pageant organizers her family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths. She moved to the United States as a baby and was raised in New York, where she attended a Catholic school. Her family moved to Michigan in 2003.

Obama’s Ex-Pastor Calls Himself Toxic - The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's controversial former pastor, said in a letter obtained by The Associated Press that he is "toxic" to the Obama administration and that the president "threw me under the bus." The letter was in response to a group’s plea for help in getting the Obama administration to release frozen funds for Haitian relief.  Wright stirred up a storm during Obama’s 2008 election with his controversial, racially charged remarks. Subsequently the Obamas withdrew from his church.

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Obama’s Ex-Pastor Calls Himself Toxic - The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's controversial former pastor, said in a letter obtained by The Associated Press that he is "toxic" to the Obama administration and that the president "threw me under the bus." The letter was in response to a group’s plea for help in getting the Obama administration to release frozen funds for Haitian relief. Wright stirred up a storm during Obama’s 2008 election with his controversial, racially charged remarks. Subsequently the Obamas withdrew from his church.

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Reward Offered for Dudus Capture - Jamaican authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of reputed drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke. He is currently the island nation’s most-wanted fugitive, and is being sought on U.S. drug and arms trafficking charges. The award was announced Tuesday, three weeks after security forces raided Coke’s Kingston neighborhood in a conflict that left 73 civilians and three officers dead.

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Jamaica to Send Drug Kingpin to U.S. - Jamaica's prime minister announced Monday that he will allow a reputed drug kingpin, Christopher “Dudus” Coke, to be extradited to the U.S., ending a nine-month fight with Washington. Coke allegedly controls a band of gunmen inside a barricaded neighborhood of west Kingston that Prime Minister Golding represents in parliament. His father was Lester Lloyd Coke, better known as Jim Brown, a leader of the Shower Posse during the 1980s cocaine wars.

Jazz Pianist Hank Jones Dies - Hank Jones, a jazz pianist and composer whose illustrious career spanned 70 years, died Sunday night at a New York hospital after a brief illness. He was 91.  Jones won a Grammy lifetime achievement award last year and received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2008. Highlights of his career include being Ella Fitzgerald’s pianist and accompanying Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy.

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Jazz Pianist Hank Jones Dies - Hank Jones, a jazz pianist and composer whose illustrious career spanned 70 years, died Sunday night at a New York hospital after a brief illness. He was 91. Jones won a Grammy lifetime achievement award last year and received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2008. Highlights of his career include being Ella Fitzgerald’s pianist and accompanying Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy.

Diddy (@iamdiddy) - Are you going to Memorial  Day Weekend in Miami? Diddy is.  “MEM DAY WKEND PART1! DIRTY MONEY CREW IS TAKING OVER MIAMI! FRIDAY NIGHT-IM THROWING THE BIGGEST PARTY CAMEO NIGHTCLUB HAS EVER SEEN!”

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Diddy Talks About Love Woes - In a recent interview with Parade.com, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs – a success in music and fashion who’s also set to hit the big screen in the comedy, “Get Him to the Greek” – is lacking in love. "I've had a lot of success and I've had a lot of material things, but I've never conquered love. I've never just had that always successful relationship,” he said. In a relationship, he just wants happiness. “I don't think I need a ring or picket fence or whatever society's definition of happiness is..."

Vanessa Williams to Become a “Desperate Housewife” - ABC announced Tuesday that Vanessa Williams will be joining the cast of the series “Desperate Housewives.” Williams, whose hit show “Ugly Betty” was recently cancelled, will appear regularly when the new season starts in September.

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Vanessa Williams to Become a “Desperate Housewife” - ABC announced Tuesday that Vanessa Williams will be joining the cast of the series “Desperate Housewives.” Williams, whose hit show “Ugly Betty” was recently cancelled, will appear regularly when the new season starts in September.

Wizards Get No. 1 Pick - In a surprise, on Tuesday, the Washington Wizards moved up from the No. 5 spot to earn the top pick in next month’s NBA draft. The team will likely choose either John Wall, the freshman from Kentucky or Evan Turner of Ohio State. The 76ers got the No. 2 pick and the Nets landed the No.3. The Wizards were represented by Irene Pollin, who wore the 1978 Bullets championship ring of her late husband, longtime Wizards owner, Abe Pollin.

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Wizards Get No. 1 Pick - In a surprise, on Tuesday, the Washington Wizards moved up from the No. 5 spot to earn the top pick in next month’s NBA draft. The team will likely choose either John Wall, the freshman from Kentucky or Evan Turner of Ohio State. The 76ers got the No. 2 pick and the Nets landed the No.3. The Wizards were represented by Irene Pollin, who wore the 1978 Bullets championship ring of her late husband, longtime Wizards owner, Abe Pollin.

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Mrs. Obama Talks to G.W. Grads - On Sunday, the first lady gave the commencement address at George Washington University’s graduation ceremony held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Obama spoke to 5,000 graduates and their families.  She agreed to be their speaker after students, faculty and staff met her challenge to complete 100,000 hours of community service. And during her speech, she encouraged students to “keep going. Keep giving. Keep engaging.”

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Mrs. Obama Talks to G.W. Grads - On Sunday, the first lady gave the commencement address at George Washington University’s graduation ceremony held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Obama spoke to 5,000 graduates and their families. She agreed to be their speaker after students, faculty and staff met her challenge to complete 100,000 hours of community service. And during her speech, she encouraged students to “keep going. Keep giving. Keep engaging.”

Voters Go Rogue - The message after Tuesday’s primary elections across the country was clear: It’s an anti-Washington, anti-establishment year. Candidates hand-picked by national Republican and Democratic leaders disappeared late Tuesday, when voters fired Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania, forced Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln into a run-off in Arkansas and chose tea party darling Rand Paul to be the GOP nominee in Kentucky's Senate race.

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Voters Go Rogue - The message after Tuesday’s primary elections across the country was clear: It’s an anti-Washington, anti-establishment year. Candidates hand-picked by national Republican and Democratic leaders disappeared late Tuesday, when voters fired Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania, forced Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln into a run-off in Arkansas and chose tea party darling Rand Paul to be the GOP nominee in Kentucky's Senate race.

Maya Angelou Plans to Party - Poet Maya Angelou is throwing a birthday party in the backyard garden of her North Carolina home. Angelou is celebrating her 82nd birthday with friends, including singers Martina McBride, Naomi Judd, Gladys Knight, rapper Common and producer/director Lee Daniels. The celebration is more than a month late — Angelou's birthday was April 4. In addition, Angelou will launch her Twitter account at the party in Winston-Salem.

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Maya Angelou Plans to Party - Poet Maya Angelou is throwing a birthday party in the backyard garden of her North Carolina home. Angelou is celebrating her 82nd birthday with friends, including singers Martina McBride, Naomi Judd, Gladys Knight, rapper Common and producer/director Lee Daniels. The celebration is more than a month late — Angelou's birthday was April 4. In addition, Angelou will launch her Twitter account at the party in Winston-Salem.

D.C. Church on Endangered List - Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, where famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass was once a member, was added to America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places on Wednesday. The 1886 red brick Victorian Gothic-style church has deteriorated over time, and needs $11 million in repairs.

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D.C. Church on Endangered List - Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, where famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass was once a member, was added to America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places on Wednesday. The 1886 red brick Victorian Gothic-style church has deteriorated over time, and needs $11 million in repairs.

Jay-Z’s Losing Money - It looks like the recession is hitting everyone hard—even rap mogul Jay-Z. According to the NY Post, while still successful overall, the rapper has seen some of his million-dollar investments take a nose dive. Cases in point: his group borrowed $30 million to buy a building to develop; but ended up scrapping the plan and selling the loan for $19.5 million. And in 2007, he borrowed $52 million to buy land for his luxury J Hotel, but left the investment and sued his lender for interest payments.

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Jay-Z’s Losing Money - It looks like the recession is hitting everyone hard—even rap mogul Jay-Z. According to the NY Post, while still successful overall, the rapper has seen some of his million-dollar investments take a nose dive. Cases in point: his group borrowed $30 million to buy a building to develop; but ended up scrapping the plan and selling the loan for $19.5 million. And in 2007, he borrowed $52 million to buy land for his luxury J Hotel, but left the investment and sued his lender for interest payments.

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Malawi Gay Couple Sentenced - A judge sentenced a couple to the maximum 14 years in prison for unnatural acts and gross indecency Thursday under Malawi's anti-gay legislation. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and his partner Steven Monjeza were arrested Dec. 27, the day after they celebrated their engagement with a party at the hotel where Chimbalanga worked. Homosexuality is illegal in at least 37 countries in Africa including Malawi.

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Malawi Gay Couple Sentenced to 14 Years - A judge sentenced a couple to the maximum 14 years in prison for unnatural acts and gross indecency Thursday under Malawi's anti-gay legislation. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and his partner Steven Monjeza were arrested Dec. 27, the day after they celebrated their engagement with a party at the hotel where Chimbalanga worked. Homosexuality is illegal in at least 37 countries in Africa including Malawi.

Lawrence Taylor is Sued - Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor, who was recently charged with raping a 16-year-old runaway, is being sued over a Florida car crash last year where he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court says 51-year-old Manuel Villari Castillo suffered life-altering injuries and loss of income because of the Nov. 8 accident, when Taylor hit a van. The lawsuit seeks over $15,000 in damages.

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Lawrence Taylor is Sued - Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor, who was recently charged with raping a 16-year-old runaway, is being sued over a Florida car crash last year where he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Miami-Dade Circuit Court says 51-year-old Manuel Villari Castillo suffered life-altering injuries and loss of income because of the Nov. 8 accident, when Taylor hit a van. The lawsuit seeks over $15,000 in damages.

Pacman is a Bengal - Troubled NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones just signed a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, giving him a chance to revive his career. Jones has been arrested six times and repeatedly suspended during a career that hit bottom last year, when he was out of the NFL. But he says he’s a changed man now, and doesn’t hang around the same crowd anymore.

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Pacman is a Bengal - Troubled NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones just signed a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, giving him a chance to revive his career. Jones has been arrested six times and repeatedly suspended during a career that hit bottom last year, when he was out of the NFL. But he says he’s a changed man now, and doesn’t hang around the same crowd anymore.

Swizz Beatz’s Ex Sues - Mashonda, the ex-wife of rap producer Swizz Beatz, is taking him to court alleging he owes her $334,000 in child support, alimony and other expenses. Mashonda’s lawyer also claims that while Beatz was missing payments to Mashonda, he bought a seven-carat engagement ring for Alicia Keys and that they are set to move into a $14.5 million penthouse. Beatz calls his ex’s claims “inaccurate” and “overblown” and says that he went “above and beyond” to provide for Mashonda and their son Kasseem Jr.

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Swizz Beatz’s Ex Sues - Mashonda, the ex-wife of rap producer Swizz Beatz, is taking him to court alleging he owes her $334,000 in child support, alimony and other expenses. Mashonda’s lawyer also claims that while Beatz was missing payments to Mashonda, he bought a seven-carat engagement ring for Alicia Keys and that they are set to move into a $14.5 million penthouse. Beatz calls his ex’s claims “inaccurate” and “overblown” and says that he went “above and beyond” to provide for Mashonda and their son Kasseem Jr.

McDonald’s Rhymer Found Not Guilty - A Utah teen was found not guilty of disorderly conduct on Tuesday for rapping his order at a McDonald’s drive-thru. Spenser Dauwalder, 18, was cited last October when he and three younger friends imitated a rap from a popular YouTube video that begins, “I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce.” Dauwalder said that workers told him he was holding up the line and needed to order, but, according to him, there was no line. After he left a manager wrote down his plate number.

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McDonald’s Rhymer Found Not Guilty - A Utah teen was found not guilty of disorderly conduct on Tuesday for rapping his order at a McDonald’s drive-thru. Spenser Dauwalder, 18, was cited last October when he and three younger friends imitated a rap from a popular YouTube video that begins, “I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce.” Dauwalder said that workers told him he was holding up the line and needed to order, but, according to him, there was no line. After he left a manager wrote down his plate number.

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Stoudemire Stirs the Pot - Suns forward Amare Stoudemire provided his Laker opponents (Lamar Odom in particular) more motivation this week. After Monday night’s game (which the Suns lost) Staudemire didn’t give Odom much credit. “I’m not giving him no hype right now; he had a lucky game in Game 1,” he said. The Lakers went on to defeat the Suns again on Wednesday, taking a 2-0 series lead.

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Stoudemire Stirs the Pot - Suns forward Amare Stoudemire provided his Laker opponents (Lamar Odom in particular) more motivation this week. After Monday night’s game (which the Suns lost) Staudemire didn’t give Odom much credit. “I’m not giving him no hype right now; he had a lucky game in Game 1,” he said. The Lakers went on to defeat the Suns again on Wednesday, taking a 2-0 series lead.

Ex-‘Housewives’ Star to Divorce - On Wednesday, former NBA player Eric Snow player filed for divorce from his wife DeShawn Snow who was on the first season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” The papers, filed in Georgia’s Fulton County Superior Court state that there “is no hope of reconciliation.” The two, college sweethearts, have been married for 12 years and have three sons together. Eric Snow has asked for joint custody of the children.

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Ex-‘Housewives’ Star to Divorce - On Wednesday, former NBA player Eric Snow player filed for divorce from his wife DeShawn Snow who was on the first season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” The papers, filed in Georgia’s Fulton County Superior Court state that there “is no hope of reconciliation.” The two, college sweethearts, have been married for 12 years and have three sons together. Eric Snow has asked for joint custody of the children.