Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

His "crimes" were not straightforward sexual abuse. He was imprisoned for violation of the "Mann Act" -
In Berry’s case, the Mann Act charges stemmed from what Berry contended was his offer of legitimate employment in his St. Louis nightclub to a girl he had met in a bar in Juarez, Mexico. The girl, Janice Escalanti, although only 14 at the time they met was also a prostitute. Whether Berry knew either her age and/or her profession is not clear. He offered her a job as a hatcheck girl in his nightclub in St. Louis and gave her a lift to the club (transporting her across state lines - which was the actual crime prosecuted - nothing to do with sexual abuse as such). Obviously things didn't work out as he sacked her after only three weeks. Shortly after being sacked, Escalanti was arrested by St. Louis police for prostitution and Berry was arrested two days later in 1959.
The Mann Act was notorious as it was used on several occasions to prosecute and imprison black performers and sportsmen - Berry and the boxer Jack Johnson being the most prominent. Berry was found guilty of the technical crime of transporting a prostitute across state lines, not for sexual abuse of a minor. No-one but Berry and the girl knew the truth of the situation, so to conclude that he was a "sick pervert" is perhaps a bit over the top.
It was interesting that Berry's wife (who he remained married to for 68 years) always stood by him and denied any wrongdoing on his part.

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

Thanks for that info Mick. That's the first I've heard about any of that.

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

Excuses, excuses. Unfortunately some women will stand by their husbands even though they are evil perverts, even when they have abused their own children. On the Jeremy Kyle show this morning there was a woman who had been seriously sexually abused by her father during her childhood. He had been sent down for it. Her mother had disowned her for making it public!

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

Now I understand you more.....Jeremy Kyle?

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

My husband thinks I am crazy, and does not approve! I watch the show out of horrific fascination because I find it so hard to believe that most of the people featured on it actually exist in real life. I wonder if they are really actors, because it is difficult to understand how real people can make such complete idiots of themselves for the entertainment of the public!

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

Rolf Harris is notagreat artist and while he's not a sterling character he's not the worst of his kind as perverts go I supose.

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

I agree ..... he is a brilliant, superb, creative artist.

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

He sexually abused a seven year old girl, that puts him in the serious pervert category!

For far too long paedophiles have got away with it, especially if they are celebs like the evil Saville. Many people in the media knew he was abusing children and others, but they kept quiet about it and he got away with it.

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

x2 thanks Mick

Re: Oh No! Chuck Berry Has Died...

..and some people will unfortunately think the worst of everybody on the basis of no evidence whatever.