Post by CarolinaCutie on Oct 28, 2003 14:22:48 GMT -4
'Johnny Gongs' charged in stabbing of singer Chico DeBarge
Singer Chico DeBarge, in town through Sunday starring in the gospel musical "Why Did I Get Married?" must now be wondering "Why Did I Ever Come to Philadelphia?"
The quasi-celeb - whose older siblings formed the group DeBarge and performed the '80s hit "Rhythm of the Night" among others - was stabbed by a mob figure outside Club Deco in Old City early yesterday, police said.
DeBarge, 37, was treated and released from Hahnemann University Hospital, where he received multiple stitches, police said. He was stabbed in the lower back.
DeBarge, who served six years with his older brother Robert DeBarge in a federal Big House on cocaine-trafficking charges, refuses to cooperate about the 3 a.m. brouhaha, police said.
So investigators have had to rely on eyewitness accounts, which led to the arrest yesterday of John "Johnny Gongs" Casasanto, 35, of Philadelphia. He is charged with simple and aggravated assault and related charges, said police spokeswoman Officer Sheila Smith.
In 1994, Casa-santo pleaded guilty to racketeering as an associate of the John Stanfa crime family. He admitted to extorting $14,300 as tribute from bookmakers, entertainment clubs and others.
An eyewitness told police that he was in Club Deco, Spring Garden and Front streets, yesterday morning with DeBarge when a melee ensued involving a group of women. After the brawl broke up, the club's management asked all patrons to leave, according to the witness.
Once outside the club, Casasanto and DeBarge allegedly got into an argument and began to scuffle, resulting in the injury, Smith said.
When police arrived, DeBarge, who lives in New York's Harlem section, told cops he had been stabbed. His friends pointed out Casasanto to police as the suspect in the stabbing, Smith said.
A publicist at Koch Records in Manhattan, which released DeBarge's 2003 "Free" album, was caught off guard by the news.
"I hadn't heard that so I don't have a comment," said David Bosch.
DeBarge, whose older brother James was once married to a teenaged Janet Jackson, missed last night's performance of "Why Did I Get Married?" - a spiritual musical by Tyler Perry about a married couple re-examining their marriage in a spiritual context.
DeBarge is expected back on stage tonight, said Carter, of the Merriam Theater.
The musical, also starring R&B artist Kelly Price, is sold out through Sunday, its last day, Carter said.
*Note: This happened last Friday*
Philly.com
This mess wasn't EVEN called for! ::SMH:: But any in case, I'm glad he's aight.
Singer Chico DeBarge, in town through Sunday starring in the gospel musical "Why Did I Get Married?" must now be wondering "Why Did I Ever Come to Philadelphia?"
The quasi-celeb - whose older siblings formed the group DeBarge and performed the '80s hit "Rhythm of the Night" among others - was stabbed by a mob figure outside Club Deco in Old City early yesterday, police said.
DeBarge, 37, was treated and released from Hahnemann University Hospital, where he received multiple stitches, police said. He was stabbed in the lower back.
DeBarge, who served six years with his older brother Robert DeBarge in a federal Big House on cocaine-trafficking charges, refuses to cooperate about the 3 a.m. brouhaha, police said.
So investigators have had to rely on eyewitness accounts, which led to the arrest yesterday of John "Johnny Gongs" Casasanto, 35, of Philadelphia. He is charged with simple and aggravated assault and related charges, said police spokeswoman Officer Sheila Smith.
In 1994, Casa-santo pleaded guilty to racketeering as an associate of the John Stanfa crime family. He admitted to extorting $14,300 as tribute from bookmakers, entertainment clubs and others.
An eyewitness told police that he was in Club Deco, Spring Garden and Front streets, yesterday morning with DeBarge when a melee ensued involving a group of women. After the brawl broke up, the club's management asked all patrons to leave, according to the witness.
Once outside the club, Casasanto and DeBarge allegedly got into an argument and began to scuffle, resulting in the injury, Smith said.
When police arrived, DeBarge, who lives in New York's Harlem section, told cops he had been stabbed. His friends pointed out Casasanto to police as the suspect in the stabbing, Smith said.
A publicist at Koch Records in Manhattan, which released DeBarge's 2003 "Free" album, was caught off guard by the news.
"I hadn't heard that so I don't have a comment," said David Bosch.
DeBarge, whose older brother James was once married to a teenaged Janet Jackson, missed last night's performance of "Why Did I Get Married?" - a spiritual musical by Tyler Perry about a married couple re-examining their marriage in a spiritual context.
DeBarge is expected back on stage tonight, said Carter, of the Merriam Theater.
The musical, also starring R&B artist Kelly Price, is sold out through Sunday, its last day, Carter said.
*Note: This happened last Friday*
Philly.com
This mess wasn't EVEN called for! ::SMH:: But any in case, I'm glad he's aight.
I got to get it, u won't forget it, kiss you unda ya navel, I'll go where she won't go.