scriptgirl said:

It don't matter. They tried to kill Mike Tyson and 2Pac (apparently) too. Just because you're loved in the streets and the music business don't mean that same love's gonna follow you in a cell.

Timmy84 said:

Pac didnt have problems with other inmates (a racist skin neo-nazi even got his autograph for his daughter), but Pac's problems were mostly with some of the prison guards.

But according to an interview, Pac wasnt really in general population though with all the hardened criminals. Most celebrities inmates are in protective custody part of prison.
[Edited 12/4/08 20:56pm]

Bobby found out that he was HIV positive during a routine check up while incarcerated. It's a sad story because he did in fact beat his addiction while in prison. Plus, Bobby was in a prison camp and not a max like Chico was. Compared to his brother, cousin and the other fellows convicted, Chico had the harshest sentence. I think the death of Bobby plus the death of Bishop Abney (Uncle Bill) is the reason why some of them are still addicts, especially El.

Why did Chico get the harshest sentence? Was he in protective custody? And what is a prison camp?

scriptgirl said:

Prison camps (FPC) are for non-violent offenders, basically minimium security. Chico was put in Ad-Seg. He got the harshest sentence because one of the guys who was arrested with Chico, Bobby, and their cousin turned states evidence and fingered Chico as the "mastermind".

But Chico wasn't a violent offender and it was his first offense. What are the chances that guy lied to save his own ass. I don't see Chico as being the mastermind of shit. What is Ad Seg.

Prospect said:

I see. So that must mean Ron Isley is in good company then.

scriptgirl said:

It was a federal drug trafficking charge, a kilo of cocaine with intent, Class A-1 felony, somebody was going to the pen. No doubt that guy lied to say his own ass, it happens all the time. Chico wasn't a mastermind, but he became the fall guy. They all got five years, but there's a HUGE difference serving five years in a FPC and a maximum security penitentiary. Ad Seg means administration segregation (Solitary, The Hole, etc.) It's punishment, Chico got into a lot of fights because he got harrassed or as somebody on here said he was "tried" and he fought back. That's why I don't joke about guys going to the pen or "getting taken", that's nothing to laugh about. I wouldn't wish that shit on anybody.

Was Chico put in Ad Seg from day one? How do you know he got in a lot of fights? You got an inside source?

thatruth said:

I figured he was no choir boy in jail. There's a reason those guards were betting on his return date.
The whole story is sad.

Karen71 said:

He better act right or he'll end up like Lyfe Jennings.

Who is Lyfe Jennings?

scriptgirl said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...e_Jennings

Type him up on YouTube, he's a soul singer, lol.

scriptgirl said:

HOLD UP!!! Tommy was SELLING???!!! IN '86???!!!

Using is bad enough, but he must've really hit rock bottom to be selling. Damn!He was no better off than the two-bit drug dealer on the corner who never had a record deal.
[Edited 12/5/08 13:33pm]

Karen71 said:

Both Bobby and Tommy began using as soon as "There'll Never Be" became a hit. After Bobby and Tommy left Switch and joined DeBarge as mentors, their careers took a big nose dive. Bobby tried recording for Motown but because of his addictions he was let go from the label. Tommy, I never heard about him getting any gigs but he got into trouble soon after he left Switch. I think Tommy was using heroin too. I know he was into crack cocaine and he's suffering tremendously because of it. I honestly think El and Chico are the younger versions of Bobby and Tommy.

Timmy84 said:

According to Unsung, Bobby was using BEFORE Switch. Remember, Greg Williams said he didn't even want to ask him to join the group initially because of his drug problem.

And then, to unwittingly get his sibs addicted. Bunny--probably the most honest of the bunch--stated that she started by using a street drug she'd gotten from Bobby.

El and Chico wanna play it off like they started addicted to doctor prescribed pain killers. (El claims it was after a dentist's visit; Chico claims it was after he was stabbed.)

Who knew that family would be so colorful and "interesting"?

I really had no idea.

And I thought MY family was dysfunctional all those years.

They make us look like The Brady Bunch.

Karen71 said:

Yeah I knew Bobby was using before Switch. In the VIBE article, they said Bobby quit cold turkey just so he could join the group as a member. He tagged Tommy along to join the group. After their success, he got back on that stuff again.

Karen71 said:

Show business families have as much dysfunction as we do, theirs get on the news somewhere.

I just read that while beating on their mom, Daddy Debarge had another woman on the side and got the mistress preggers twice. Once the mistress and Mrs Debarge were pregnant at the same time. Mrs Debarge was pregnant with the twins. I believe the woman was black. Anyway, the extramarital bs resulted in 2 girls Deathra and Alice. Mrs Debarge held no grudge against the girls and even let them stay with her for a week. Apparently after the Daddy Debarge and Mrs Debarge divorced, Chico and Marty went to live with him. Mrs. Debarge does not mention that in her book, but Bunny does. It makes no sense. Why let your kids leave with an abusive, child molester?

scriptgirl said:

Since you know more history than anybody here does, when did the DeBarges (Robert and Etterlene) divorce? 1970? '71? '72? LOL And when did they move to Grand Rapids? Because apparently they had more finer memories in Grand Rapids than they did in Detroit.

That I don't know. I thought you said or someone on here said they moved to GR in 70. the twins were born in 70

scriptgirl said:

Yeah it was between 1970 and 1972. All the DeBarges were born and raised partially in Detroit.

EL used to spend every summer with an aunt in Detroit. I am curious-do the Debarges just know their Abney side of the family or have they ever dealt with their dad's side? Curious to know what that side thinks of the famous Debarges.

I still want to know why Etterlene would let Chico and Marty stay with that man.

scriptgirl said:

Their UNSUNG documentary should've probably told you that. They had close ties to the Abney side, LOL. Their uncle (Etterlene's brother) ruled the church they went to in Grand Rapids.
[Edited 12/5/08 16:34pm]

Chico never said he wasn't addicted before he got shanked. He only said that he got addicted to the pain killers they gave him.

As far as El, that story about him going to the dentist and getting hooked on drugs, there is no way in hell I am buying that. And Bobby getting his siblings hooked-not a good look

scriptgirl said:

Either way he's addicted now.

Yes and he needs help

Timmy84 said:

Nooooo...According to him in this latest interview, he USED to really be out there. He USED to be on that stuff, after downing people who were on it.

Who does he think he's fooling, sounding JUST LIKE Bobby Brown.

I'm not downing the guy, cause I think it's sad. BUT, let's be honest about things. That's why Bunny's experiencing true healing right now. She's willing and able to be honest.
[Edited 12/5/08 22:26pm]

Yeah, I can't believe he was downing people who did drugs, especially when Bobby did them. was he downing his big bro as well? And El, who he hero worshipped?