Celebs Donate $12K to Legal Fund

TOLEDO, Ohio - Celebrity fashion designers Kimora Lee Simmons and her ex-husband Russell Simmons have pledged a combined $12,000 toward the legal defense fund of Trevor Casey, the 14-year-old Toledo teen arrested in an alleged brutal attack in May.

Kimora Lee, a former fashion model, is the creative director for Phat Fashions. Russell is the co-founder of the hip-hop music label Def Jam Records, founder of Russell Simmons Music Group, and owner of the fashion line Phat Farm.

"The magnitudes of Russell Simmons and Kimora Simmons, and just the influence they have over the hip hop culture, it's good to see them step up," said Bishop Stephen Ward, spokesman for the Casey family.

Kimora Lee posted on her celebrity blog on GlobalGrind.com that was was "astounded" when she viewed a YouTube.com clip from a resident from the Brand Whitlock Homes in the central city who captured the alleged brutal beating.

The graphic video clip showed some of what Trevor had to deal with May 15.

Witnesses said the actions by two Toledo police officers happened after Trevor was slow to move when he was asked to get off a porch at the Brand Whitlock Homes. Because the teenager didn't follow orders, witnesses allege the brutality.

After his arrest, Trevor was taken to the Juvenile Justice Center downtown and charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest. After that court appearance, the Caseys went over to Toledo police's internal affairs unit and filed an excessive force complaint.

Though Toledo police officials have not spoken officially about this incident, a police report was filed. The report said things went down quite differently Friday evening than what witnesses and family stated.

The reporting officer claims that Trevor was asked several times to leave the front porch, after loitering. When he wouldn't comply, officers tried to arrest the teen, but he struggled. The struggle led to a full fight. Trevor also allegedly hit one of the officers in the chest, the report stated. The officers applied joint pressure and body strikes to the teen. Still, the the report states that teen did not comply. Police also said the teen had been smoking marijuana.

Trevor spent the day at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and was run through a battery of tests.

Finkbeiner administration spokesperson Megan Robson said Police Chief Mike Navarre does not have plans to release information pertaining to the investigation.

Both Kimora Lee and Russell have pledged to donate $12,000, about $6,000 a piece, in support of the defense fund. Through her blog post, Kimora Lee has asked "anyone else who has suffered at the hands of those who have a sworn duty to protect and honor them" to donate to the fund.

"In addition, she said for every dollar donated she will match it as well," ward said. "At this point she has donated, I believe, close to $6,000."
Ward said local contributions to Trevor's defense fund can be made at any National City Bank branch in care of the "Trevor Casey Legal Defense Fund." Kimora Lee also posted another address on her celebrity blog to send contributions to in care of Ronny L. Wingate, Esq., 1119 Adams Street, 2nd Floor, Toledo, OH 43604.

While this case is still under investigation, supporters of the Casey family say it's not about personal gain.

"It's not about me, and it's not about my city council run, at all," Ward said. "It's about seeking justice for what's right and it about standing up for what is right."