Day: May 6, 2025

LOS ANGELES — Four former housekeepers of Smokey Robinson allege in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that the Motown music luminary repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped them while they worked for him.
The suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court seeks at least $50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the women say took place between 2007 and 2024, and labor violations including a hostile work environment, illegally long hours and lack of pay.
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A message seeking comment from a representative for the 85-year-old Robinson was not immediately answered.
The four women each say that Robinson would wait until he was alone with them in his Los Angeles house then sexually assault and rape them over their objections.
“We believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and must be stopped,” the women’s attorney John Harris said at a news conference.
All said they eventually quit over the assaults, though in some cases it took several years. And all said they feared coming forward over fears of retaliation, public shame and possible effects on their immigration status.
“Having to tell their husband and children of these despicable actions left them filled with shame and embarrassment,” Harris said. “So throughout their dreadful experiences with Mr. Robinson, all four women remained silent.”
He said as low-wage earners, they also all feared “missing a payday, and not being able to afford rent or buy food for their families.”
All four women withheld their legal names citing privacy concerns and are identified as Jane Does in court documents. They appeared at the news conference with their attorneys, but did not speak, and covered their faces with masks.
The lawsuit also names Robinson’s wife Frances Robinson as a defendant, alleging that she enabled his behavior despite knowing about past sexual misconduct. It also blames her for the hostile work environment, saying she berated them with language that included ethnic slurs.
One woman said she worked for the Robinsons from 2012 until 2024, and was assaulted at least 20 times in that span. Another said she worked for them from 2014 until 2020, and was assaulted at least 23 times. Another said she worked for them for a year before quitting in 2024 and was assaulted at least seven times. The fourth woman, who said she also acted as Frances Robinson’s personal assistant, hairdresser and cook, worked for them for 18 years before resigning in 2024. She cited similar experiences to the other women, but did not say how often she was assaulted.
The women, some of whom worked for the Robinsons at the same time as each other, also kept stories of the assaults from one another, but are now bonding over their experience, the attorneys said. They declined to give details at the news conference about how they came forward and learned there were others.
The suit seeks damages based on sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and other allegations.
“Obviously, no amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson put them through,” Harris said. But he said the $50 million was warranted “based on the gravity of Mr. Robinson’s despicable and reprehensible misconduct.”
Plaintiffs’ attorney Herbert Hayden said that while they felt the assaults are worthy of criminal investigation, the women have not filed police reports, based on the same fears that kept them from coming forward.
Robinson, a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was among the biggest hitmakers of the 1960s—both with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, with songs including “Tears of a Clown” and “The Tracks of My Tears.”
He was a central part of the Motown Records music machine in his hometown of Detroit as an artist, producer and songwriter for other artists.
High speed photography of various types of bullets: metal vs plastic vs paintballs – Google Search https://t.co/XOUbXfuEQR
High speed photography of various types of bullets: metal vs plastic vs paintballs
High-speed photography of projectiles like bullets, paintballs, and even…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 7, 2025
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Articles, Ballistics / Defence | April 23, 2023
Breaking Down Bullets: Using high speed Cameras for In-Depth Ballistics Analysis
The field of ballistics, the science of the travel of a projectile in flight, is an ideal application for high-speed cameras. What forces are at play, and how do they impact the trajectory of a projectile such as a bullet or a missile? Ballistics analysis has long been used to answer these questions, with high-speed camera technology, we can now gain an even deeper understanding of the inner workings of projectile launch. In this blog post, we’ll look into how high-speed cameras are being used to capture and track extremely high-speed events in the field of ballistics.
Introduction to high-speed Cameras for Ballistics Analysis
When it comes to understanding the behavior of bullets, high-speed cameras are an invaluable tool. By capturing images at extremely high frame rates, these cameras can provide researchers with a level of detail that was previously unattainable. This has allowed for a greater understanding of the forces at play when a bullet is fired, and how different factors can impact its trajectory.
One of the most important applications of high-speed cameras in ballistics analysis is the study of muzzle blast. By observing the gases that are expelled from the barrel of a gun during firing, researchers can gain insight into the firearm’s performance including misfires. This information can then be used to improve the design of firearms and ammunition.
Another area where high-speed cameras have made a significant impact is in the study of impact ballistics. By analyzing high-resolution images of projectiles impacting materials, researchers have been able to gain a better understanding of how different types of projectiles vary in their impact. This information is critical for developing more effective, precise projectiles.
High-speed cameras have also been used to study the effects of weather on bullet trajectories. By analyzing how wind speed and direction affects the path of a bullet, researchers can develop more accurate models for predicting bullet drop. This information is critical for military and law enforcement personnel who need to account for weather conditions when taking aim at a target.
Finally, high-speed cameras have also been used to study ricochet behavior. By understanding how different materials interact with bullets, engineers can design surfaces that are more or less resistant to projectile impact and ricochet.
What is Ballistics Analysis?
Ballistics analysis is the study of the trajectory, behavior, and characteristics of projectiles. In forensics, ballistic analysis can be used to determine the type of weapon used in a crime, as well as the trajectory of the bullet. This information can be used to identify the shooter, as well as any potential witnesses.
High-speed cameras are often used in ballistic analysis. These cameras can capture high-resolution images of a projectile in flight. This allows for a detailed analysis of the projectile’s trajectory and behavior.
Ballistic analysis can be used to reconstruct a crime scene. It can also be used to determine the range at which a shot was fired. This information can be vital in solving crimes.
High-speed Cameras and Their Uses in Ballistic Analysis
There are many different types of high-speed cameras available on the market today, each with their own unique set of features and benefits. When it comes to ballistic analysis frame rate is critical to capturing the high speed event. The Chronos 1.4 high-speed camera allows for frame rates up to 40,413fps (frames per second). This provides ample detailed projectile movement.
Benefits of Using high-speed Cameras for Ballistics Analysis
There are many benefits to using high-speed cameras for ballistics analysis. The most obvious is that high-speed cameras can capture extremely fast events, such as a bullet in flight. This allows for a very detailed analysis of the event, which can be used to improve the design of the bullet or gun.
Another benefit is that it can be used to study the effects of different types of bullets on different materials. For example, a high-speed camera can be used to capture the effects of a high-velocity rifle bullet on a variety of targets, such as wood and metal. This information can be used to develop new and improved bullets that are more effective at penetrating different types of materials.
Finally, high-speed cameras can also be used to study the behavior of ricocheting bullets. Ricocheting bullets are often responsible for collateral damage during military conflicts and understanding their behavior is important for minimizing this damage. high-speed cameras can capture the trajectory of ricocheting bullets and this information can be used to develop strategies for avoiding these bullets.
How high-speed Cameras are Used in Firearms and Projectile Launch Analysis
High-speed cameras are used extensively in firearms and projectile launch analysis. By analyzing the high-speed footage of a firearm or projectile in action, experts can glean important information about the performance of the weapon or object. This data can be used to improve the design of firearms and projectiles, as well as to troubleshoot issues with existing designs.
For example, by studying the high-speed footage of a gun firing, experts can determine things like muzzle velocity, bullet stability, and recoil. This information is then used to improve the design of future firearms. Additionally, this data can be used to help solve problems with existing designs. For example, if a particular gun is experiencing excessive recoil, the high-speed footage can be analyzed to determine what is causing the issue which the quality assurance team can then improve upon.
Conclusion
High-speed cameras provide an incredibly accurate level of ballistics analysis for a range of applications. By breaking down bullets into individual frames, these cameras can analyze the bullet’s trajectory and performance in forensic investigations, firearm safety tests, and military combat simulations. With this technology, professionals can gain insight into how different types of ammunition perform in various scenarios and make better-informed decisions about firearms usage. Ultimately, high-speed cameras are an invaluable tool for modern ballistics analysis.
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