JimD wrote:
BigBro will have to keep a very strict eye on Darnell, several times he seems to have come pretty close to loosing his temper. By his own admission, he did jail time for 'Gang Related Violence' before getting the boot out of the US of A.
Actually Jim, I feel I need to correct you there...
Darnell has NEVER been involved in gang related
violence. Its an oft repeated misquote that simply has no factual basis.
Darnell was convicted of a minor misdemeanor in 2004: specifically, the possession of a small quantity of marijuana. A court in North Dakota duly handed him a 120 hour community service order.
While carrying out his punishment the family moved to Minneapolis and the remaining community service wasn't completed - whether that's an over-sight or a convenient belief the authorities wouldn't persue it is open to debate.
Eventually though, a warrent was issued in the State of Missouri and Darnell was re-arrested in 2006. Normally, he might have expected a month in a county jail at worst or a slap on the wrist at best. However while awaiting a court appearence, it was discovered that Darnell's Green Card had expired (although some reports are saying it was cancelled) and he was passed over to the Immigration Service. They took the decision to deport him as a British Citizen and he arrived back on these shores in December 2006.
In the House, Darnell has come clean about his jail time (mostly spent awaiting deportation) and further admitted he was involved on the side-lines of American gang culture. However, his admission is hardly a surprise in a society where the majority of American youth would make a similar confession.
Darnell has explicitly stated that he found the violent aspects of gang culture unhealthy and he not only steered clear of it but also refuses to include those elements in his music.
Two more points while I'm here...
As for Big Brother, after an incident a few weeks ago (for the life of me I can't remember which one now) BBLB included an item where the Producers had said that the HMs had been warned about their general behaviour but that they didn't have any special concerns about Darnell's conduct.
Also, Darnell might have been loud and has certainly looked full of rage on a couple of occasions but he has NEVER resorted to actually physicality nor has he looked close to doing so. Dale on the other hand has on 4 occasions either treatened violence or has lashed out in a physical manner (banging his fists, kicking out, throwing objects etc). Mohamed is the only known current HM to have been convicted of violent offences.
I don't doubt that Darnell is no angel but he certainly isn't the thug that people label him as... and which should properly be attached to another HM in my opinion.
