Posted on 01/19/2006 8:07:14 AM PST by mcg2000
His brother is on the loose; wanted in Ga.
If Terrell Brittenum watched his performance on television's "American Idol" Tuesday night, he did so from the Shelby County Jail.
Brittenum and his twin brother, Derrell Brittenum, both of southeast Memphis, appeared on the show. And both had outstanding criminal warrants when their performances aired.
They're charged in Rockdale County, Ga., with forgery, theft by deception and financial identity fraud.
The case involves the purchase of a 2005 Dodge Magnum in June -- allegedly by using another man's identity.
Terrell Brittenum has been in jail here since Jan. 10. His brother is still on the loose but is expected to turn himself in, sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular said.
Fox Broadcasting Co. spokesman Scott Grogin refused to comment on the twins, or their status as contestants.
"We do not comment on the personal lives of our show participants," he said.
The 28-year-olds' Chicago auditions were taped in mid-September and portions of the show have already been taped in Hollywood.
The pair made it through the initial audition.
Georgia's charges against the pair, who attended Hamilton High School, were discovered by accident during a routine traffic stop.
Memphis police chanced upon Derrell Brittenum Oct. 30 at a BP station at 2134 Lamar, according to the charges.
Officers ran the tags on the 2005 Dodge Magnum and found the vehicle was stolen, and that the brothers had arrest warrants.
Derrell Brittenum was arrested and gave a typed statement to police, saying he knew he was in a stolen car.
His brother was arrested Nov. 2 on a fugitive charge.
Terrell Brittenum had given his brother another person's financial information, allowing him to buy the $23,175 car in June, according to Georgia's charges.
Both men were able to bond out in early November.
And since they refused to be extradited to Georgia, authorities there got a governor's warrant for them to be re-arrested for an extradition hearing.
Terrell Brittenum has a Shelby County arrest record for traffic violations and a 2000 misdemeanor citation for disorderly conduct and indecent exposure. The exposure charge was amended to disorderly conduct and he paid a $50 fine.
Derrell Brittenum was arrested in 1998 for theft over $500 and in 2000 for contempt of court and passing bad checks, court records show.
The extradition hearing date hasn't been set.
-- Chris Conley: 529-2595
-- Sherri Drake: 529-2510
How unfortunate. I'm guessing they didn't make it through the Hollywood auditions.
This is what, the 4th or 5th AI contestant to get busted..?<P
Maybe John Walsh should be a guest judge..
They look comfortable wearing numbers.
But they seemed like such nice guys, and they sang in harmony.
Too bad, they're incredibly talented. They could have had a great career in entertainment if they hadn't been so stupid.
These guys were really good! They BOTH are super singers! This is too bad.
Let 'em sing on the rockpile.
Run the contestants through America's Most Wanted before allowing them to board the plane to Hollywood.
A twin and an American Idol ping with just one key stroke!
That would be the 4th and 5th contestant to get busted.
I thought you could not be older than 27 to be on American Idol?
Actully they were on Radio and TV commercials heralded as amazing.
Spplllwwwpphht.
Wiping. Coffee. From. Computer. Screen.
(Quoting Michelle Malkin)
Merle Haggard had a great career after he got out of prison......
"They could have had a great career in entertainment if they hadn't been so stupid."
Hey, it worked for James Brown!
Then maybe this little incident ended it for them, which is still unfortunate. I really liked the way they sounded, and thought they would go far.
Glad they weren't the 16 year olds on the other night. Those kids were good and their Mom and Dad and another sibling were waiting outside the doors for them and gave them hugs....
I recommend they practice up on "Song Sung Blue"
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