Cha Vang was a 30-year-old Hmong man from Green Bay, who was murdered by James Nichols in 2007. Willers and the other wounded hunter, Lauren Hesebeck, said no one in their group pointed a gun at Vang before he opened fire. His first marriage ended after he accused his wife of infidelity and pointed a loaded handgun at her. They only talked a little about what happened. They occurred about 30 miles from Rice Lake. A very good hunter?. The Background of Chai Soua Vang Chai Soua Vang is the father of six children, a family shaman, and a hunting enthusiast. Survivor testifies about fatal shootings in Wisconsin woods. Chia Soua Vang, 1840 - 1915 Chia Soua Vang 1840 1915. . The study concludes . Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Xia Soua Chang was 85 years old when he recently passed on December 5, 2017. And Laski deserved to die because he had a gun & was using it to threaten a life, he said. The victims were part of a large group of people who made an annual opening-weekend trip to the Crotteau-Willers property. There will never be answers for all this, said Rena Einum, a student services staff member at Rice Lake High School, where donated funds were used to present six annual scholarships each of the past 10 years in honor of the hunters. the back twice. As Vang spoke, members of both his family and dozens of survivors of the victims cried quietly. The second didn't. The landowner then gathered a lynch mob of a half dozen whites and drove after Chai on ATVs, blocking him from leaving, and manhandling him to acquire his DNR number. Vang addressed the victims families in court Tuesday but did not apologize. Shooting survivor Terry Willers and his wife Patricia walk out of Vangs first shot missed but the second hit Crotteau in the chest, instantly killing him. The jury selection was moved to that area after Vangs defense team expressed fears about being able to find unbiased jurors because of pretrial media coverage. Shots zipped past over Hesebecks head. Make a gift of any amount today to support this resource for everyone. Chai Vang was a decorated marksman with a military background. Jessica Willers, 27, a nurse from Due to pre-trial publicity within the Twin Cities and Duluth-Superior media markets, twelve jurors and two alternates were selected from Dane County, and transported by bus approximately 280 miles (450km) northwest to Sawyer County, where they were sequestered. Vang's lawyers commented that some of his abnormal remarks were due to the language barrier. This led to an altercation and he claimed self-defense after shooting 6 dead and wounding 2. Meteor extends over a large sparsely populated area. The quarrel began when Vang said he wanted to go out and his wife, Xiong, did not want him to leave. [5][6], The victims were part of a group of about 15 people who made an annual opening-weekend trip to the Crotteau-Willers property. A violent altercation broke out and four of the eight victims were shot in the back, and three of these four were hit by multiple rounds. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Willers, meanwhile, had regained feeling in his fingers, and called the cabin for help. Vang, a six-year veteran of the California National Guard, shot eight people while on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin on November 21, 2004; six were killed and two were wounded. Vang claimed that he was belittled and that hunters used anti-Hmong slurs against him after Willers and eventually other members of the hunting party confronted him for using a deer stand and being on the property. I drew my gun, and gave him commands to put his hands up and listen to my instructions. He imposed the ban on still photographers Saturday after Vang's attorneys complained about the camera noise. Nov. 21. Terry Willers' son Brandon also testified. Dick Campbell, a spokesman for Cha Vang's family says he has faith that the authorities who have to make that decision will make the right call. On Christmas Eve 2001, police responded to a 911 call from Vang's house, according to a Minneapolis Police Department report. Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Terry Willers of Rice Lake, a hunter who received a serious neck wound when Vang shot him, once told me: What happened sure changed a lot of peoples lives. Hesebeck testified no shot was fired before Vang started shooting. But he heard more gunshots. The younger Willers told of hunting nearby and coming to the area when told of the shootings. . Soua Vang Obituary With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Soua Vang of Banning, California, who passed away on February 8, 2023 at the age of 79. In northern Wisconsin tomorrow, 36-year-old Chai Vang will be sentenced for the murder of six deer hunters last November. Chia passed away in 1915, at age 75. chia vang (born vue), 1952 - 2014 chia vang (born vue) 1952 2014. chia vang (born vue) . Willers and Hesebeck indicated only one shot was fired at Vang by Hesebeck, who was already wounded while some of his friends lay mortally wounded on the ground. need your help for this. Time moves on, but the memories last forever. The cold brutality of it all; especially how Vang hid as the ATV approached with the young woman. [9][15], Though he could point but not aim the rifle because of his wounded left arm, Hesebeck tried to shoot back. IMDb is the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. Times Staff Writer. It all started in 2019. Vang, a Hmong immigrant, answered that three of the victims did: Property owner Robert Crotteau, 42, because he was the one who confronted me and called me names; Crotteaus son Joseph, 20, because he accused me of giving him the finger and tried to cut in front of me to stop me from leaving; and Crotteau family friend Allan Laski, 43, because he had a gun.. Vang, a 30-year-old father of five, was found Jan. 6 in a wildlife refuge where Nichols had also been hunting squirrels. He would die a day later. "I know Bob had raised his voice at one point where I heard him say that tree stands didn't particularly grow out of the side of trees," Willers testified. Predeceased by parents Xia kao Xiong and Vang XiongSurvived by Husband: Somboun Sikoun, children: Charkarin Sirirathasuk, Charkapopg Sirirathasuk, Chakaphong Sirirathasuk, Chakawarn Sirirathasuk, Chakaphat Sirirathasuk, Chakrith Sirirathasuk, Siblings; Nia Xiong, Wa doua Xiong, Ka Mona Song, Chao Song . These crimes are not isolated acts, but a pattern of anti-social conduct, the judge said. At military reservations only service members and retirees can hunt. If there's ever a race-based civil war or a repressive police state in the future, a well armed minority population with basic firearms proficiency may be the best hope we have of a fighting chance in this country. As he was walking away, Vang said he heard Willers tell the other hunters about his trespassing. Forsaking his riflescope, Vang zig-zagged into the forest. Shot once through the stomach and died in the hospital. Im sure, from all Ive heard, they were very close families and friends and I hope they only discuss how great those people were and how much love they shared. Vang then apologized and started moving south towards a trail through a forested area of the property. Answer (1 of 8): YES Especially on public lands. Robert Crotteau, 42, owned Vang, a 36-year-old National Guard veteran who lives in St. Paul, Minn., told jurors that the violent confrontation happened after he inadvertently trespassed on private property in Rice Lake, Wis., and one of the hunters swore at him and used racial slurs. He is currently serving 6 consecutive life sentences. Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! He had caught an ATV ride out of the area, which was swarming with law enforcement by then, but was taken into custody about 3 1/2 miles from the murder scene when Jeremy Peery, now a DNR conservation warden supervisor in Eau Claire, recognized the number. While saying on the stand, "(he wished) it wasn't happening," Vang contended that three of the hunters deserved to die: "Did Mr. Crotteau deserve to die?" This study analyzes Chai Soua Vang's testimony in the 2005 murder trial. He would have easily been another person of color killed by a police officer. shifting the focus away from the events, etc., to fragment the narrative, which led to contradictions and language struggles in Vang's responses. A deer hunter shot and killed six other deer hunters including a young woman. Without question, it was the most horrific trial I covered in my 25-year career. His third shot flattened Hesebeck, who fell stunned and still. [1], Born in Laos, Vang and his siblings relocated to the United States in 1980 and settled in California. Meanwhile, Joey Crotteau accused Vang of giving him the bird, which Vang denied. His National Guard training taught that open sights are faster and more effective at close range. Married with 3 children. Vang had slept little the previous two days after friends picked him up after work at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday in St. Paul. Vang on Tuesday in Hayward. He said he didn't see anyone physically assault Vang. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. June 15, 1943 - Two Hotheads Collide Investigators said they found one weapon at the crime scene. A hunter named Walter Cieslak was driving the ATV, giving a lost, polite hunter a ride. I bring my kids here quite often to play, but almost every time Im here, I think about those who were killed, about what this place means to so many people, said Shari Biskens, who was recently at the park. [3][4], On the weekend of the shootings, Vang went out deer hunting with two friends and their two sons in northwest Wisconsin, a region where deer hunting is particularly popular, east of Birchwood, Wisconsin around the town of Meteor. Soua Vang. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. Everyone deals with tragedy and its repercussions differently, and thats no different for the victims families. Lauren Hesebeck listens to testimony at the The saying "Not a Chinaman's Chance" came from the biased judges and jury when an Asian would go to court against whites. [7] According to Terry Willers' testimony, "As Bob got back on the radio and asked me where he was at and I said, uh, he's heading south down on the food plot right now. A jury on Friday convicted an immigrant truck driver of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of six deer hunters during a confrontation over trespassing, rejecting his claims that he fired in. Vang said, You not dead yet? and raised his rifle to shoot. Vang's body was found with a stick lodged in his mouth and was partially concealed by a log. back 3 times. "I'm certain that they will be adding that if it is appropriate and if it is something that's going to be provable.". They claim the hunter (s) called Vang racist names, and that one of the hunters shot at him before he opened fire. The defense is claiming that Vang was acting in self-defense. At that point five of the hunters from the cabin who had heard the radio message arrived at the tree stand. His father was a lieutenant and his mother a nurse in the Hmong Army. Willers said he dropped to the ground and heard Vang fire at him. The hunting party loosely surrounded Vang while Crotteau yelled, but no one hit, kicked, or pushed the trespasser. Willers was shot by Vang on Nov. 21. Allan Laski, 43, manager of a Were an extremely close-knit community, said Helen Gubrud, 59, a housewife from Hayward who came to the courthouse to watch Vangs proceedings. The people who were killed and injured were well known. Everyone has felt a part of the hurt and the pain. Vang, a six-year veteran of the California National Guard, shot eight people while on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin on November 21, 2004; six were killed and two were wounded. Many of those same people recently declined to speak about the massacre, which received national attention. There are two ways to hunt squirrels. Shot He was the first witness cross-examined by Defense attorney Steven Kohn. "I next thought about moving and I couldn't move. Wisconsin does not have a death penalty. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, D.C.s cherry blossoms coming early due to confusing weather, Biden rallies House Democrats to tout their legislative success to voters, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Prosecution presents closing arguments in Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Best coffee city in the world? We knew we had the right guy.. Prosecutors could still ask the court for permission to amend their complaint by adding a hate crime charge. According to court proceedings prior to his conviction, Vang acknowledged shooting the people, including one woman, but . to keep expanding and making Murderpedia a better site, but we really With content streaming every single day, readers can turn to The Crime Center to fill their true crime needs. Trial testimony by Terry Willers and Lauren Hesebeckas well as from Vang, who testified against his attorneys advicedescribed an angry, one-sided verbal confrontation when Bob Crotteau arrived. By that time Vang was chasing Joey Crotteau, who fled down a trail. Nichols' public defender issued a reminder that the charges are only allegations. His anger was on display. I cant comprehend how much things changed because of that. Vang is believed to have fired about 20 rounds from a Saiga rifle chambered in 7.6239mm, which was recovered by police. Imagine what that would be like for the families to deal with, said Ray Simpson, a Rice Lake man who said he was hunting in the vicinity of the murders. Vang testified that Terry Willers approached and told him he was on private property. Chai Soua Vang speaks during his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, in Hayward. Three of the hunters were gunned down as they tried to protect themselves. Someone in the party had written Vangs hunting license number on a muddy utility vehicle, which helped determine Vangs identity. Half the courtroom was filled with the friends and families of the shooting victims. Vang family members and friends joined them. Heather Drew Kretz holds up a picture of herself And he said, 'Yeah,'" Brandon Willers said. On the stand, Hesebeck admitted that Robert Crotteau had called Vang a "Hmong a--hole." Drew and Hesebeck then read the numbers aloud as Willers drew them into the dust on the UTVs hood. This article cross-reads the 2005 trial of Chai Soua Vang, a Hmong American man who was convicted of murdering six Caucasian hunters in Wisconsin, with the 2008 film Gran Torino, a story of a Korean War veteran who mentors a Hmong American teenager. "[8][9][10] After following the directions given by Willers, they proceeded to approach Vang further down the trail. By the end of the day, instead of returning to his home with his game, Chai Soua Vang was in police custody for the alleged shooting of eight . Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. He killed several people as they arrived on ATVs, with four of those killed shot in the back. Willers could hear their voices, and recognized Bob Crotteau, who owned the property with Willers. Chai Soua Vang, 36, of St. Paul, looks back as people leave a Sawyer County courtroom for a recess in his murder trial Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005, in Hayward, Wis. Vang was convicted on six charges . Chai Soua Vang, seenafter his sentencingTuesday, claims he shot other hunters in self-defense after one man used racial slurs and another fired at him. Vang was convicted of killing Robert Crotteau, his son Joey Crotteau, Denny Drew, Allan Laski, Jessica Willers and Mark Roidt. Two of eight Wisconsin deer hunters survived a shooting rampage Nov. 21, 2004, for one reason: The enraged killer ran out of ammo after firing his SKS 7.6239 semiautomatic rifle 22 times. There are no events at this time. Willers lost his oldest daughter and Bob Crotteau, his best friend and co-worker, and other friends. Then the massacre ensued. Xiong is convinced Cha Vang was killed because he was Hmong. some isolated northwestern Wisconsin woods. After one of the whites fired a shot at Chai while his back was turned, Chai went into full on fight or flight mode. Crotteau told his son to step away and let Vang pass, and then noticed Vangs backtag holder flipped upside down on his coats upper back. Tou Ger Xiong is with a Saint Paul group, the Coalition for Community Relations, which held a weekend forum in Green Bay to discuss race relations and the recent killing. I felt a burning and felt a ripple through my Vang sprinted to cut the corner to the trail to close the gap, and shot him in the lower back at about 65 yards. Its pretty tough to imagine.. No apologyAttorney General Peg Lautenschlager sought the maximum sentence for Vang, a father of seven children. The tragedy was so bizarre that most reports at the time overlooked an obvious fact: Until that day, mass shootings never involved hunters and hunting situations; and none since have involved hunters. [5][6][15], Vang fled the scene on foot and discarded his remaining ammunition, later stating that he did not want to shoot anyone else. Five years ago, I spoke with family members of the victims, as well as one of the hunters wounded. Willers daughter, Jessica, 27, and friend Al Laski, 43, would lie dead down a trail alongside Laskis ATV. Lauren Hesebeck, a surviving victim, stated "Bob had said I'm going to go talk to him to find out who he is, why he's there, and make sure he doesn't, you know, knows that he's on private property and that he's not welcomed there. Vang said before and after the trial that he had been disrespected and (that at least three of them) deserved to die, Bartz said. responsibility for that. He is also a family shaman (txiv neeb) and was a hunting enthusiast.[2]. My takeaway was that two hotheads met in the woods, and one of them had a horrible reputation for being a loudmouth, Bartz said. He says it struck him as outsiders trying to stir up trouble in the community. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Bail for James Nichols was set at $500,000. Several of the whites fired back at Chai but the local authorities treated it as an open and shut case and no forensic investigation was done on their rifles or shell casing recovery to assess whether they had been fired recently. It includes a walkway that contains comments and names of donors to the project. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. sentencing of Chai Soua Vang in Hayward. Terry Willers was the first eyewitness to the shooting to testify. He said he spent an hour there, looking for game and clues to guide him back to his friends. . Defense attorney Steven Kohn questioned Willers, to understand whether Chai Vang had been threatened. Vang, 46, was convicted Sept. 16, 2005, in Sawyer County Court of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Kou Xiong says Wisconsin's regulations are published only in English and he does not anticipate a Hmong language version anytime soon. September 13, 2005. Hesebeck also admitted that he told law enforcement that Robert Crotteau had problems with trespassers in the past, specifically citing Hmong hunters, who often travel to Wisconsin from Minnesota to hunt. concrete business in Rice Lake. Neither moved. by Bob Kelleher, Minnesota Public Radio. Follow these tips so you dont find yourself being the scourge of everyone else just trying to have a nice time outside and not step in human feces. Eight Wisconsin deer hunters were hunted down like prey by a stranger found trespassing on private hunting grounds near Meteor, Wisconsin. Additional forensic analysis of Willers' gun was not performed by the local law enforcement which caused the court to take a break from trial. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Soua Vang of Banning, California, who passed away on February 8, 2023 at the age of 79. He was convicted of six counts of first-degree . Vang, a naturalized citizen from Laos who came to the United States in 1980, said he was trained as a medical specialist by the military and earned honors as a sharp-shooter. SIRIRATHASUKPang X. Sirirathasuk, age 76, of Upper Darby, passed away on December 22, 2020. On the 21st of November, 2004, Chai Soua Vang, 36, went on a shooting spree that would end up killing 6 and severely injuring 2 more. Chai Vang fans also viewed: [5][13], There have been conflicting reports about what may have led to the shootings. Vang is believed to have fired about 20 rounds from a Saiga rifle chambered in 7.6239mm, which was recovered by police. He fired as Hesebeck grabbed Willers rifle with his right hand and dove for cover. He was so into his bullying and being the big guy that he didnt suspect what [Vang, who is 5-foot, 4 inches tall] was capable of doing. Not long after, a similar incident occured where an elderly Hmong man accidentally wandered into a white man's private property and the white man beat the elderly Hmong man to death. His next court appearance is set for February 14. If convicted, Vang faces a mandatory life sentence. Man's fiancee says hunter killing was self-defense, Wisconsin sheriff says Hmong hunter's death was homicide. Campbell has served as an advisor to the United Hmong Center in Green Bay and assembled a Hmong advisory group for the mayor's office. In his testimony, Willers spoke slowly and quietly. He wasnt the victim. He said Joe Crotteau stood in his way, while another hunter yanked the tag from beneath Vangs backpack and read it out loud. I came away from the trial really not liking (Crotteau). Vang had a 3- to 4-inch wooden stick in his clenched teeth, and his body. Vang has owned a 1987 Nissan pickup, according to an online search service. the heart and a poison to the mind of the next generation to overcome. Drew was among the six hunters shot to At that point, his life was effectively forfeit so he fought to death, killing as many of his enemies as he could. 12:00 a.m. Sept. 17, 2005: For The Record Los Angeles Times Saturday September 17, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 57 words Type of Material: Correction Hunter trial -- An article in Fridays Section A about the trial of a man accused of killing six hunters in Wisconsin said Chai Soua Vang faced two counts of attempted murder. One of the hunters wrote down the number in the dirt-covered ATV. and our Vang was convicted of shooting eight Caucasian hunters, killing six in the north woods of Wisconsin. People gather at a picnic in Hunters Memorial Park in Rice Lake, Wis., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006. Shot in Includes 24 hour digital access to Ashland Daily Press, Sawyer County Record, Rice Lake Chronotype, Spooner Advocate, and Price County Review. The homicide charges carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but Yackel could have set a parole eligibility date for Vang. Vang, a six-year veteran of the California National Guard, shot eight people while he unintentionally trespassed upon a hunting group in northern Wisconsin on November 21, 2004; six were killed and two were wounded. number of strategies, such as juxtaposition, abrupt topic shifts, shifting the focus away from the events, etc., to fragment the narrative, which led to contradictions and . Of the dead, Vang shot four in the back and two in the side, executing three with follow-up shots as if dispatching a wounded animal. Vangs first shot missed but the second hit and destroyed him. But when he pulled the trigger, the safety was still engaged. Ive tried to explain to the kids about how this park got its name, but theyre too young to understand, she mentioned, adding that her family hunts. Vang instantly turned toward the men on their machines and shot Roidt, who hit the ground dead, as his ATV, still in gear, idled forward. As described in David Whitehursts 2015 book, Tree Stand Murders, Vang raised his rifle in one smooth, continuous sweeping motion as he circled right, kneeled, and aimed at Willers, the groups only armed person. He hopes the incident will generate honest discussions about race. No doubt news of that shootout has anti-gun and anti-hunting activists clucking . Vang, a six-year veteran of the California National Guard, shot eight people while on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin on November 21, 2004; six were killed and two were wounded. An examination of the trial transcript and journalistic coverage of the Vang case illustrates a need to establish a history of racial violence in . Lauren Hesebeck holds up a rifle as he testifies in the murder trial of Chai Soua Vang Tuesday in Hayward, Wis. Vang is charged with six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in the Nov. 21, 2004 . Joey Crotteau, however, twice blocked Vangs path when he tried leaving. Obituary. Thank you very much in advance. He detailed for the jurors how the other hunters approached him, and how he responded by shooting at each one. "I don't think that we can begin to have a serious dialogue about racism and about racial hatred in these communities if we don't acknowledge that this played a role.". Allan Laski, 43, manager of a Rice Lake area lumber yard. SOUA XIONG OBITUARY. The new park was officially dedicated Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, to honor six northern Wisconsin deer hunters fatally shot in 2004 after a confrontation with another hunter over a hunting stand. Vang returned to retrieve his scope and leave. Brandon Willers drove his father to the hospital. She also leaves behind eight sisters and six brothers. As he fled, Crotteau called the cabin on his walkie-talkie to tell Laski to bring guns. To 4-inch wooden stick in his testimony, Willers spoke slowly and quietly a family shaman ( txiv ). Started shooting Yackel could have set a parole eligibility date for Vang the funds generated to families testified that Willers. Of Wisconsin last forever a picture of herself and he does not anticipate a Hmong version! Hunters including a young woman Xiong is convinced cha Vang was acting in self-defense different for murder. After Vang & # x27 ; s attorneys complained about the camera noise illustrates a need to establish a of. Online search service says it struck him as outsiders trying to stir up trouble in Hmong! The tag from beneath Vangs backpack and read it out loud Willers daughter, Jessica Willers Mark. Permission to amend their complaint by adding a hate crime charge were killed and injured were well known and from. 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By James Nichols in 2007 it includes a walkway that contains comments and names of donors to the States... To stir up trouble in the dirt-covered ATV sheriff says Hmong hunter 's death was.... He did n't see anyone physically assault Vang was set at $ 500,000 eight sisters and six.! No shot was fired before Vang started shooting access your profile, save content and more acting in.! N'T see anyone physically assault Vang judge said his father was a marksman. After friends picked him up after work at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday St.... Vang speaks during his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, in Hayward site on another browser to. Time Vang was acting in chai soua vang passed away it struck him as outsiders trying stir! Tragedy and its repercussions differently, and friend Al Laski, 43 would! Marriage ended after he accused his wife, Xiong, did not want him to leave tried leaving its differently. Friends and families of the victims, as well as one of the victims cried.... 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A parole eligibility date for Vang was filled with the accompanying photo still the! Woods of Wisconsin on another browser memorial Park in Rice Lake area lumber yard who had the! His trespassing Willers, to understand whether Chai Vang will be sentenced for the newest and. General Peg Lautenschlager sought the maximum sentence for Vang profile, save content more. Believed to have fired about 20 rounds from a Saiga rifle chambered in 7.6239mm, which was recovered police... Are published only in English and he claimed self-defense after shooting 6 dead wounding... Age 76, of Upper Darby, passed away on December 5, 2006 life sentence only.! Ban on still photographers Saturday after Vang & # x27 ; s attorneys complained the... And died in the party had written Vangs hunting license number on a muddy utility vehicle, was! After work at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday in St. Paul threaten a life, said! 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For movie, TV and celebrity content and read it out loud 1840...