ATTORNEY FOR ‘IDOL’ TWINS SAYS THEY’RE INNOCENT: Statement emphasizes brothers’ community work; gospel background. *An attorney for Derrell and Terrell Brittenum, the twin “American Idol” contestants charged with forgery and theft by deception in their Memphis hometown, has released a statement claiming that her clients are innocent.
“At this point and time, Derrell and Terrell Brittenum are innocent of all charges,” said their Atlanta-based lawyer, LaTisha Dear. “We are investigating the case and anticipate a swift release."
Terrell has been locked up at the Shelby County jail since Jan. 10, and was unable to watch his taped audition on “Idol” when it aired last Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, he didn't have access to the (jail) television at the time," Shelby County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular told Reuters.
Meanwhile, the twins' mother called police to say Derrell would turn himself in, but he had yet to do so and was being sought by authorities, Shular added.
The 28-year-olds are alleged to have used another person’s identity to purchase a truck in Rockdale County, Georgia last June.
The press release containing Dear’s statements went on to sing the twins’ praises, noting the birth of their singing career in the church and their eight-year stint with local gospel group Kevin Davis & the Voices, a.k.a. The Voices of Binghampton in Memphis, Tennessee.
“The Brittenums' first big break came in 1997 on MTV's The Cut, where they performed original music,” the release states. “As a result, they landed multiple opportunities to travel nationally on various tours with national recording artists such as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Clark Sisters, and Kim Burrell, just to name a few.”
The brothers moved to Atlanta for a brief period to try out the music scene, but grew homesick and returned to Memphis.
“Derrell and Terrell Brittenum are not hard core criminals,” the release states. “They are individuals that give back to their community by mentoring to the youth in their neighborhood, working with their Youth Outreach Ministries, Senior Citizens and local neighborhood cleanup efforts.”
Derrell states: “All we really want to do is make great music. We know that in the end we will be exonerated of all charges and continue our mission to make great music.”
*In other “Idol” news, the series will run in syndication thanks to a new agreement between Tribune Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment.
The one-hour, weekend series titled, "American Idol Rewind" will premiere with a rerun of the first season in September 2006. "American Idol Rewind" will be a streamlined program offering never-before-seen footage and behind the scenes facts and details.
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