'Fast 6' hangs onto first place at box office

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? With its supercharged muscle cars, "Fast & Furious 6" raced to first place at the box office for the second consecutive weekend.

The Universal Pictures release is expected to add another $34.5 million to its North American ticket sales, keeping it in the No. 1 spot after opening to more than $120 million over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian said the sixth installment in the street-racing franchise was "preordained to be No. 1 again." But in a season of sequels, three original films were among the most popular at cinemas over the weekend.

"Ordinarily, summer and sequel go together," he said. "This is a step in the direction of originality."

Among the new original offerings was the magic-heist thriller "Now You See Me," which exceeded industry expectations to debut in second place with $28.1 million. The Lionsgate/Summit Entertainment release features an ensemble cast, including Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Woody Harrelson, in a tale of illusionists who rob banks and share the spoils with their audience.

"It certainly has been magic for us to watch the numbers this weekend," said Richie Fay, Lionsgate's president of domestic distribution, who attributes the film's success to a "brilliant marketing campaign" and positive word of mouth.

"After Earth," the futuristic caper starring father-and-son team Will Smith and Jaden Smith, opened to $27 million, good for third place but still disappointing for Sony Pictures.

"It's below our expectations here domestically," said Rory Bruer, Sony's president of worldwide distribution. But he anticipates it will play well overseas.

"We feel very good about the potential of the film on a worldwide basis," he said. "It will open 60 countries next week."

Fox's animated "Epic" and Paramount's "Star Trek: Into Darkness" tied for fourth place with $16.4 million each, while "The Hangover Part III" was fifth with $15.9 million.

Also edging into the top 10 was the Indian film "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani." It opened in 162 theaters in the United States and Canada Friday and earned $1.6 million, good for eighth place.

"It's very unusual, but Bollywood films sometimes do crack into the top 20 or top 15 (domestically)," Dergarabedian said. "They're usually not in that many theaters, but they make a big splash."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "Fast & Furious 6," $34.5 million ($75 million international).

2. "Now You See Me," $28.05 million. ($600,000 international).

3. "After Earth," $27 million ($2.6 million international).

4. (tie) "Epic," $16.4 million ($28.5 million international).

4. (tie) "Star Trek: Into Darkness," $16.4 million ($37.6 million international).

5. "The Hangover Part III," $15.9 million ($82.3 million international).

6. "Iron Man 3," $8 million ($9.9 million international).

7. "The Great Gatsby," $6.3 million ($22.6 million international).

8. "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani," $1.6 million ($900,000 international).

9. "Mud," $1.2 million ($350,000 international).

10. "The Croods," $615,000 ($3.7 million international).

___

Estimated weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak:

1. "The Hangover Part III," $82.3 million.

2. "Fast & Furious 6," $75 million.

3. "Star Trek: Into Darkness," $37.6 million.

4. "Epic," $28.5 million.

5. "The Great Gatsby," $22.6 million.

6. "Iron Man 3," $9.9 million.

7. "Oblivion," $5.9 million.

8. "The Croods," $3.7 million.

9. "After Earth," $2.6 million.

10. "The Big Wedding," $1.75 million.

____

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen on Twitter: www.twitter.com/APSandy .

___

Online:

http://www.hollywood.com

http://www.rentrak.com

___

Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fast-6-hangs-onto-first-place-box-office-162720609.html

Jon Lord Colorado shootings dark knight rises Aurora shooting James Eagan Holmes jeremy lin Sage Stallone

So More Death Comes to My Immediate Family - The Angry ...

Over the years, I've had a lot of relatives die. Some were people I'd never met, some died when I was too little to remember or only have a few memories & one was someone I actually knew well. Now comes another death, the one I didn't expect in the manner it happened: my father. I still can't bring myself to call him "Dad" but I can call him "George" as my mother referred to him (no part of his name is "George" by the way; my mom's just eccentric--part of the mystery is solved, I know).

I've lost aunts, uncles, my grandmother & the most recent big one was my brother in law weeks before I was accepted to law school. That one was particularly bad since he & my sister had only been married a few months, she'd just had their first child (who was 3 weeks old & had bonded to his father in the womb) and he would have been eligible for health insurance in a few months.

My parents just got out of bankruptcy & my mom was happy he was getting a full paycheck. He'd just recovered from a knee injury & to talk to him, you'd never think of him as "old" or "boring." He hated the slow drivers on the road just like everyone else. He wasn't even 60 years old & this happened. The doctor said apparently this kind of thing happens often; people just drop for mysterious reasons, slip into comas & don't recover. If it happened to my father, I wonder, what's to stop it from happening to anyone else? Me, you, the guy down the block? We're not promised tomorrow. He's now been declared brain dead & they're only leaving him on life support until I can get there to say goodbye.

I already learned about the fleeting nature of life after my brother in law (my sister's first husband) died. I just wonder why the fuck God is pissing on my family. It's been that way forever for them; what the fuck?!?!?! Since when is my mother Job? She and my sister are totally devastated over this. I've been emotional over it but not sure if it's just the tragedy of the whole thing or actually caring. I definitely know it's not making life easy on my mom. Father's Day & major holidays are going to be a total bitch, even for me not living there. At least we had last Thanksgiving, I keep telling myself.

This "praying" stuff also bothers me. God is the one who decides it's your time, right? It's infallible & set in stone. So what good does praying do? You can hope, you can try to be optimistic but there's the element of realism to consider. If your number is up, isn't prayer just a waste of time or is it like getting clemency from the governor or something? Guess I'm also getting crotchety about it like the hard core atheists. I've known people are just saying it to be nice but I'd rather you just say you're thinking of me or sending good vibes my way.

A few things about my grief process:

1. I don't eat much. I wouldn't be shocked if I lost a bunch of weight if my mom or sister died. Really, I wondered why people kept giving us food when my brother in law died since I had no appetite? I figured drugs would be better: something to make you want to eat or not feel depressed would be the ticket. Note I didn't say illegal drugs since there are legal drugs that can do this stuff.
2. I won't want to cry but when it hits me, it hits in a huge way. Last night, it hit hard when I was telling people I was now going down there to say goodbye. It also hit hard when I saw my cat Oswald (we thought he was a girl but when the vet said he was a neutered male, Ortensia became Oswald). George will never get to meet him. When my brother in law died, it hit me when I was in my supervisor's office & realized that my oldest nephew would never know his dad. At least he's got my sister's second husband now & he's been a good Daddy to him.
3. I can't be surrounded by it 24/7. I need respite from time to time, hanging out & interacting with people who have nothing to do with it i.e. not related to the person who died & suffering the same sense of grief or worse than me.
4. I need human contact. Ideally, someone to hold me who won't let me go before I say so. Now that I have him, my husband is ideal for this but a guy friend who won't try taking advantage will do in a pinch. I'm upset my husband can't be with me until the funeral. That will be tough. Yes, I did get laid the night my brother in law died (with an ex I happened to run into that evening; it lead to a brief reconciliation) & that's one reason I need my husband with me now. I don't dislike sex anyway but in grief, I crave that human contact & that connection. You need something to counteract the pall that comes over you. It's in your stomach, your throat, your face, your movements; it's like you're wearing a heavy cloak you have no clue how to remove.
5. Don't pray for me. Say you're thinking of me or sending me good wishes but don't try to convert me or tell me about how great Jesus or God are. Spare me the sermons. You aren't going to convince me to go back to the puritanical Baptist faith I ran from.

Yeah, I'm damn upset right now. I'm not in a good mood & crossing me is bad enough on a normal day. This is rage times a trillion. I'm also not very happy with people who've been told about it who've said not a word to me. No "I'm sorry" or "Hope you feel better" or even "That sucks." I think I'll be cleaning some house when I get back to town. You don't get to be a "friend" in my life when you can't even acknowledge that my situation sucks.

I've reached out to people more on things, remembering what my mom says about how if you want friends you have to show yourself friendly. Well, I figure you can't call someone a friend if you never give them the opportunity to actually BE a friend to you. Me talking about this is most definitely the opportunity to show me what you're made of in that sense. Are you a friend or are you worse than a stranger on the street? Most strangers have at least enough compassion to feel bad for you if an immediate family member is dying or dead. The hospital is also apparently damn anxious to pull the plug before I get there. I told my mom to ask them why they needed to do it this second when I wasn't going to be there at 3 a.m. If they want to get on my bad side, I said they can go right ahead & see where that gets them. I think I deserve my goodbye time considering I never got that with my brother in law.

Not sure which is worse: instant death or this waiting around stuff. I think waiting around seems worse since it's false hope & all this build up only to get disappointment in the end. At least I know the things to ask my husband about & tell others of in case he goes first. I also worry this will kill my mom from depression. Studies show that dead people's spouses usually die not long after the dead person died. We're just too young for this.

I warned my husband my family lives to their 60s & my father didn't even get to 60. No one will live long enough to be a burden but still. It just sucks all around.

I know I'll be shitty company for a while but frankly, I don't give a damn about that. Talk to me when it happens to you if you've got a problem with it.

Source: http://www.theangryredheadedlawyer.com/2013/06/so-more-death-comes-to-my-immediate.html

Matt Smith Tim Samaras game of thrones titanic storm chasers killed Summer Jam 2013 Alexis Wright

'Fast & Furious' rolls over Will Smith's 'After Earth'

By Lisa Richwine and Andrea Burzynski

(Reuters) - Car chase sequel "Fast & Furious 6" kept racing at U.S. and Canadian box offices, outpacing rival movies for a second straight weekend and finishing far in front of Will Smith's new sci-fi film "After Earth."

"Fast & Furious" racked up $34.5 million from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates. The sixth installment in the billion-dollar franchise takes the action to London, where stars Vin Diesel and Dwyane Johnson lead their crew on a mission to take down an international ring of mercenary drivers.

Comedy heist caper "Now You See Me" yielded a stronger-than-expected $28.1 million in its debut at U.S. and Canadian theaters, finishing second.

The post-apocalyptic "After Earth," starring Smith and his teenage son, Jaden Smith, placed third with $27 million. Analysts had expected a $35-million to $40-million opening.

"Fast & Furious" maintained its speed after a roaring debut over Memorial Day weekend. Worldwide ticket sales reached $480.6 million through Sunday, according to Universal Pictures, the Comcast Corp unit that released the movie.

Distributor Universal said that "Fast 6" has outearned international lifetime totals for each of the first four films in the franchise, and was on track to surpass the fifth.

Critically panned "After Earth" settled for a third-place debut.

The $130-million production takes place 1,000 years after an apocalypse forced humans to abandon Earth. A boy and his father become stranded on the planet after a crash landing and look for help.

Critics assailed "After Earth," with just 12 percent recommending the film on Rotten Tomatoes, a website that aggregates movie reviews.

Distributor Sony Pictures, a unit of Japan's Sony Corp, said it expects the film to do well internationally.

"This has always been a worldwide play," said Rory Bruer, Sony Pictures' president of worldwide distribution. "We would have liked the movie to have done better domestically and I think people will be pretty happy about it when they see the international rollout."

Bruer said the studio expects well over half of the film's gross to come from international sales. "After Earth" will open in 60 countries next week, and several more throughout June.

"Now You See Me" beat projections for weekend sales of up to $20 million. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg in the story of street magicians who stage large-scale shows during which they rob banks and distribute money to the audience.

It cost $75 million to produce, according to the website Box Office Mojo.

Tied for fourth were the sci-fi sequel "Star Trek Into Darkness," and animated family film "Epic," each of which took in $16.4 million in domestic sales.

"The Hangover Part III" took in $15.9 million to capture fifth place.

"Epic" was distributed by 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp. "Star Trek Into Darkness" was released by Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures. "Now You See Me" was distributed by Summit Entertainment, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment. "The Hangover Part III" was distributed by Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc.

(Additional reporting by Ronald Grover,; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Xavier Briand)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fast-furious-rolls-over-smiths-earth-154838442.html

huntsville al channel 2 news adrienne bailon yelp stock honda classic news channel 5 nashville weather

Home of famous Va. hams ponders foreign buyout

In this May 29, 2013 photo, hams and other memorabilia is displayed at a restaurant in Smithfield, Va. Smithfield Foods has agreed to be bought by Shuanghui International Holdings for about $4.72 billion. Residents in this southeastern Virginia town have mixed reactions to the idea that the maker of their famous cured hams may soon be owned by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Amanda Lucier)

In this May 29, 2013 photo, hams and other memorabilia is displayed at a restaurant in Smithfield, Va. Smithfield Foods has agreed to be bought by Shuanghui International Holdings for about $4.72 billion. Residents in this southeastern Virginia town have mixed reactions to the idea that the maker of their famous cured hams may soon be owned by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Amanda Lucier)

In this May 29, 2013 photo, a pig statue sits outside the offices of Smithfield Foods in Smithfield, Va. Smithfield Foods has agreed to be bought by Shuanghui International Holdings for about $4.72 billion. Residents in this southeastern Virginia town have mixed reactions to the idea that the maker of their famous cured hams may soon be owned by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Amanda Lucier)

In this May 29, 2013 photo, a truck waits outside the gates of Smithfield Foods in Smithfield, Va. Smithfield Foods has agreed to be bought by Shuanghui International Holdings for about $4.72 billion. Residents in the southeastern Virginia town have mixed reactions to the idea that the maker of their famous cured hams may soon be owned by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Amanda Lucier)

In this May 29, 2013 photo, a truck leaves Smithfield Foods in Smithfield, Va. Smithfield Foods has agreed to be bought by Shuanghui International Holdings for about $4.72 billion. Residents in this southeastern Virginia town have mixed reactions to the idea that the maker of their famous cured hams may soon be owned by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Amanda Lucier)

In this May 29, 2013 photo, workers approach the gates of of Smithfield Foods in Smithfield, Va. Smithfield Foods has agreed to be bought by Shuanghui International Holdings for about $4.72 billion. Residents in this southeastern Virginia town have mixed reactions to the idea that the maker of their famous cured hams may soon be owned by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Amanda Lucier)

SMITHFIELD, Va. (AP) ? You can't go far in this historic southeastern Virginia town without seeing a pig.

A herd of life-size swine statues lines its downtown, an ornament of a piglet wearing a bandanna adorns a front lawn, hams hang in storefronts and a pickup truck flaunts the license plate "PIG TIME."

The home of the world's largest pork producer and maker of famous Smithfield hams is divided in its reaction to news that the company agreed to be bought by a Chinese company. The reception is as mixed as whether the locals favor salt-cured or sugar-cured ham.

Smithfield Foods Inc. agreed to a $4.72 billion offer from Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd., the majority shareholder in China's largest meat processor. The deal, which would be the largest takeover of a U.S. company by a Chinese firm, still faces a federal regulatory review and Smithfield shareholder approval.

Steps from the site where the company was founded in 1936, residents in the "Ham Capital of the World" greet each other on a main street lined with white picket fences and Victorian-style homes, and welcome a neighbor back from a recent trip out of town. Just down the road, workers shuffle into the company's packing plants for their shifts.

Looking out on the street that's lined with antique cars every weekend, locals frequent Smithfield Gourmet Bakery and Beanery, grabbing their morning coffee and pastry. Some are shocked that "China would own our Smithfield," said Carolyn Burke, a longtime resident who owns the eatery.

"It's Smithfield ham, it's not China ham," Burke said.

And she's right: Pork produced here for more than 300 years became so popular that many places in the 1930s tried to pass off their ham as Smithfield ham, which led to branding each ham so customers knew it was authentic. The state even passed a since-revised law in 1926, stating the "Smithfield ham" moniker could only be used for cuts of peanut-fed hogs processed and salt-cured in the town limits.

The town also is home to the world's oldest cured ham from 1902 at the Isle of Wight museum ? complete with its own brass collar around the hock.

As important as the pork itself is Smithfield Foods, which employs about 3,800 people in Virginia. In its most recent fiscal year, it brought in sales of more than $13 billion and made a profit of $361 million.

The company, its founding family ? the Luters ? and those who work there donate time and money to the community, funding parks, public restrooms and other projects.

"You either have a family member who works there, or has worked there, or you had a summer job there. It's just such a part of our community," said Sheila Gwaltney, the director of a local arts center and a more-than-40-year resident whose husband's family has been in the area since 1666. "Smithfield has been so good for the town."

With its namesake and well-being on the line, Smithfield native and Mayor T. Carter Williams, 71, hopes the pending sale doesn't compromise the town's identity.

"They say that everything's going to stay the same, and we all just hope that it does," he said. His wife, Connie, works at Taste of Smithfield, a hometown restaurant the company opened about a year ago to showcase its products. "We'll just see where it ends up, time will tell."

In an interview with The Associated Press, Smithfield Foods CEO Larry Pope said the move showed "the globalization of the world and how it affects small-town America."

"But Smithfield, Virginia, has nothing to worry about," Pope said. "We're in a mature market ... and to continue to grow we have to look at opportunities outside the United States."

Bob Barnes, who worked as an accountant at Smithfield Foods for about 10 years before retiring, sees only "good things happening" for the company that has had its share of ups and downs over the years.

Pork producers such as Smithfield have been caught in a tug of war with consumers. The company needs to raise prices to offset rising commodity costs, namely the corn it uses for feed. But consumers are still extremely sensitive to price changes in the current economy. By raising prices, Smithfield risks cutting into its sales should consumers cut back or buy cheaper meats, such as chicken. In 2009, Smithfield Foods posted its first annual loss since 1975, and again in 2010, but has since rebounded. And one of its largest shareholders had been pushing Smithfield to consider splitting itself up in recent months.

"Somebody's gotta own it," Barnes said. "It's just money. It doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't change our philosophy, our life, our politics (and) it doesn't shut down places."

Gwaltney agreed: "When you think about it, that should be very good economically for the company ... and what's good for the company is good for us."

There is at least one drawback that residents note: They'll soon be unable to own Smithfield stock ? a tangible piece of the company named after the town that pork built.

___

Michael Felberbaum can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/MLFelberbaum

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-06-01-Smithfield%20Foods-Legacy/id-17d451ae20724f5d9c1007597efb0ba9

Comcast Pokemon X and Y Rob Ryan bethenny frankel sacramento kings alex jones Google Docs

Family Time Friday: Disney arcades! | Mousejunkies

With arcades at every Disney Resort hotel, choose from a total of 1,500-plus games appropriate for all ages.

Go for a personal best or go head to head against a friend as you battle aliens, play sports, race cars, dance to the beat, make music, solve puzzles or try your hand at pinball, air hockey and more.

To play games, you must first purchase a Game Card and add game points using cash, a credit card or your Key to the World card at a kiosk inside the arcade. Game Cards are rechargeable and can be used at other Walt Disney World Resort arcades.

Purchase a Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way Package, Basic Package or Passholder Package. Each Game Card credits you with 100 game points that may be used at any Disney Resort hotel, including Disney?s Vero Beach Resort and Disney?s Hilton Head Island Resort.

Game Card use is not restricted to your Resort hotel and points are not restricted to one Guest.

To book a Disney vacation, contact me at erica@blueskyjourneys.net

Source: http://mousejunkies.com/disney-resorts/family-time-friday-disney-arcades/

Katherine Webb Cut for Bieber AJ McCarron Johnny Manziel ups Aj Mccarron Girlfriend CES 2013

leg avenue sheer backseam stockings: Solo Trophy Insulated Thin ...

Nice shopping on?'?Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag' on Ebay.com. Best?Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag. Discount on?Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag?or order our colourful new catalogue today on Groupon.com,Hmv.com,Pixmania.com and, Tesco.com.??

Product Description :?

????????Manufacturer: Solo Inc.. Case of 1000. These foam cups are durable and tough, capable of handling both hot and cold beverages. The insulation protects fingers and helps keep the drink at optimal temperature. And the thin-wall design means that the cups occupy less storage space. Capacity (Volume) [Nom]: 12. 000 oz; Global Product Type: Cups; Cup Type: Hot/Cold; Material(s): Foam. Customers also search for: Beverage; Cafeteria; Coffee; Coffee Cup; Cups; Food & Beverage; Food & Beverage Supplies; Hot Drink Cups; Cold Drink Cups; Kitchen Supplies; Foam Cups; Party Cups & Glasses; Hospitality; Cafeterias; Restaurants; Cafes; Beverages; Stations; Glass, Discount Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Buy Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Wholesale Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, 041210213830, X12-0041, Foam Cups

?

TAG : Best Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Buy Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Deal Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Discount Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Best buy Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag Online, Where to buy Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag,Big save on Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Find Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag, Get Solo Trophy Insulated Thin-Wall Foam Cups, 12 oz., Hot/Cold, Bistro, Maroon, 100/Bag

---

This Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, endless.com, smallparts.com or myhabit.com.

---

Source: http://jojoshop468.blogspot.com/2013/05/solo-trophy-insulated-thin-wall-foam.html

Corvette Stingray Claire Danes Amy Poehler Australian Open Girls Hbo Golden Globes homeland

US woman facing drug charge released in Mexico

Yanira Maldonado, 42, left, accompanied by her husband, Gary, center, speaks to an official after being released from a prison on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico late Thursday, May 30, 2013. Maldonado, jailed in Mexico on a drug-smuggling charge, was released after court officials reviewed her case. She was arrested by the Mexican military last week after they found nearly 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) of pot under her seat on the commercial bus traveling from Mexico to Arizona. (AP Photo/Cristina Silva)

Yanira Maldonado, 42, left, accompanied by her husband, Gary, center, speaks to an official after being released from a prison on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico late Thursday, May 30, 2013. Maldonado, jailed in Mexico on a drug-smuggling charge, was released after court officials reviewed her case. She was arrested by the Mexican military last week after they found nearly 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) of pot under her seat on the commercial bus traveling from Mexico to Arizona. (AP Photo/Cristina Silva)

Yanira Maldonado, 42, center, accompanied by her husband, Gary, right, speaks to media after being released from a prison on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico late Thursday, May 30, 2013. Maldonado, jailed in Mexico on a drug-smuggling charge, was released after court officials reviewed her case. She was arrested by the Mexican military last week after they found nearly 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) of pot under her seat on the commercial bus traveling from Mexico to Arizona. (AP Photo/Cristina Silva)

In a photo provided by the Maldonado family Gary and Yanira Maldonado are shown in 2012. The arrest of Yanira Maldonado, 42, has prompted outrage in the U.S. among politicians and her family members, who say she was set up when her bus was stopped at a military checkpoint last week and authorities found nearly 12 pounds of marijuana under her seat. She was immediately sent to a Mexico prison. (AP Photo/Maldonado Family)

In a photo provided by the Maldonado family Gary and Yanira Maldonado are shown in 2012. The arrest of Yanira Maldonado, 42, has prompted outrage in the U.S. among politicians and her family members, who say she was set up when her bus was stopped at a military checkpoint last week and authorities found nearly 12 pounds of marijuana under her seat. She was immediately sent to a Mexico prison. (AP Photo/Maldonado Family)

Gary Maldonado speaks to the press after a court hearing in Nogales, Mexico Thursday May 30, 2013 where a video of he and his wife boarding a commercial bus in Mexico was shown. His wife, Yanira Maldonado, is accused of smuggling 12 pounds of marijuana on the bus headed to Phoenix. In the video, the couple was seen carrying only two blankets, a purse and two bottles of water. (AP Photo/Luis Castillo)

NOGALES, Mexico (AP) ? An Arizona woman held in a Mexico jail for a week on a drug-smuggling charge was freed and traveled back to the U.S. after a court reviewed her case, including key security footage, and dismissed the allegations.

Yanira Maldonado, 42, walked out of the prison on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico and into her husband's arms late Thursday. She and her family members could be seen crossing through the Nogales port of entry into Arizona in a small sedan shortly after midnight, The Arizona Republic reported.

Maldonado spoke briefly after her release, thanking U.S. State Department officials, her husband, her lawyers and prison workers who made her stay comfortable.

"Many thanks to everyone, especially my God who let me go free, my family, my children, who with their help, I was able to survive this test," she said.

Maldonado also said at a news conference later that she still loves Mexico, and the experience will not stop her from returning in the future to visit family there.

"It's not Mexico's fault. It's a few people who did this to me and probably other people, who knows?" Maldonado said in comments aired on KSAZ-TV. "I'm still going to go back."

The family's lawyer in Nogales, Jose Francisco Benitez Paz, said a judge determined Thursday that Maldonado was no longer a suspect, and all allegations against her were dropped.

Maldonado's release came hours after court officials reviewed security footage that showed the couple boarding a commercial bus traveling from Mexico to Phoenix with only blankets, bottles of water and her purse in hand.

U.S. politicians portrayed her as a victim of a corrupt judicial system and demanded her release, with Arizona congressmen saying they were working closely with Mexican authorities.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who previously said he has had "multiple conversations with the deputy Mexican ambassador," on Friday welcomed Maldonado's release.

"Though I'm sure this last week has been a nightmare for her, I'm thankful that Mrs. Maldonado's clear innocence was proved and that she is now home safe with her family," he said in a statement released by his office.

The judge had until late Friday to decide whether to free Maldonado or send her to another prison in Mexico while state officials continued to build their case. Prosecutors could appeal the ruling.

Maldonado was arrested by the Mexican military last week after they found nearly 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) of pot under her seat during a security checkpoint.

Benitez noted it was a fairly sophisticated smuggling effort that included packets of drugs attached to the seat bottoms with metal hooks ? a task that would have been impossible for a passenger. He said witness testimony and the surveillance video showed Maldonado was innocent.

"There is justice in this country," he said.

Maldonado husband, Gary Maldonado, said he originally was arrested after the pot was found under his wife's bus seat. But after Yanira Maldonado begged the soldiers to allow her to come along to serve as a translator, the military officials decided to release him and arrest her instead. Gary Maldonado alleges authorities initially demanded $5,000 for his wife's release, but the bribe fell through.

"Here, we are guilty until you are proven innocent," he said after the court hearing.

The Maldonados were traveling home to the Phoenix suburb of Goodyear after attending her aunt's funeral in the city of Los Mochis when they were arrested.

The bus passed through at least two checkpoints on the way to the border without incident. In the town of Querobabi in the border state of Sonora, all the passengers were ordered off the bus and a soldier searched the interior as they waited. The soldier exited and told his superiors that packets of drugs had been found under seat 39, Yanira Maldonado's, and another seat, number 42. Her husband was in seat 40.

Gary Maldonado said a man sitting behind them on the bus fled during the inspection. He said the man might have been the true owner of the drugs.

About 40 people were on the bus before the inspection, but Gary Maldonado said he was the only passenger who appeared American.

Mexican officials provided local media with photos that they said were of the packages Maldonado was accused of smuggling. Each was about 5 inches high and 20 inches wide, roughly the width of a bus seat. The marijuana was packed into plastic bags and wrapped in tan packing tape.

The couple had previously traveled on commercial buses through Mexico because they felt it was safer than driving a personal vehicle.

Yanira Maldonado is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Mexico, her family said. She and her husband have seven children from previous marriages. The couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary while she was jailed.

Drug traffickers have increasingly been using passenger buses to move U.S.-bound drugs through Mexico. Federal agents and soldiers have set up checkpoints along Mexico's main highways and have routinely seized cocaine, marijuana, heroin and more from buses.

Mexico's justice system is carried out largely in secret, with proceedings done almost entirely in writing.

Four years ago, Mexico decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin, but it still has stiff penalties for drug trafficking.

Mexican law doesn't specify a minimum or maximum sentence in drug crimes and leaves it up to the judge to decide how long the sentence should be, said Jose Luis Manjarrez, a spokesman for federal prosecutors in Mexico.

On Wednesday, an army lieutenant, a private and another sergeant were supposed to appear in court but they did not show up. The army did not explain why, the couple's lawyer said.

A search of court records in Arizona turned up no drug-related charges against Yanira or Gary Maldonado.

___

Associated Press writers Michael Weissenstein in Mexico City and Luis Castillo in Nogales contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-05-31-American%20Arrested-Mexico/id-5b1d8816ba484a718dec26b56e30092a

zimmerman charged bonobos charles manson al sharpton actuary elon musk fox mole