Radio host’s ancestors get posthumous pardon

Radio host’s ancestors get posthumous pardon

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two great- uncles of syndicated radio host Tom Joyner, sent to the electric chair for the 1913 murder of a Confederate Army veteran, were unanimously pardoned Wednesday by South Carolina. Officials believe the men are the first in the state to be posthumously pardoned in a capital-murder case.

Black landowners Thomas and Meeks Griffin were executed 94 years ago after a jury convicted them of killing 73-year-old John Lewis, a wealthy white veteran living in Blackstock, a Chester County town 40 miles north of Columbia. Two other men also were put to death for the crime.

Joyner learned about his uncles’ fate during filming of the PBS documentary “African American Lives 2,” which traced his lineage. The talk-show host and legal historian Paul Finkelman then began to work to clear the Griffins’ names because they thought they were framed by another man who was linked to the victim’s stolen pistol. John “Monk” Stevenson testified against the others in exchange for a life sentence but later told fellow inmates the four men had nothing to do with the crime, and he pointed his finger at them to save himself.

‘Spanish Eyes’ singer Al Martino dies

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. — Singer Al Martino, who played the Frank Sinatra-type role of Johnny Fontane in “The Godfather” and recorded hits including “Spanish Eyes” and the Italian ballad “Volare” in a 50-year musical career, died Tuesday. He was 82.

Martino died at his childhood home in the Philadelphia suburb of Springfield, according to publicist Sandy Friedman. Friedman didn’t cite a cause of death.

Starting in 1952, Martino was known for hit songs including “Here in My Heart” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Besides acting in the Marlon Brando classic “The Godfather,” Martino sang the 1972 film’s title score, “The Love Theme From The Godfather.” His Fontane character is a singer and occasional actor and is the godson of Brando’s Mafia boss character, Don Vito Corleone.

The Italian-American crooner, born Alfred Cini, was one of a number of South Philadelphia-born singers, including Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Chubby Checker. He also was a longtime resident of Beverly Hills, Calif.

Patinkin to guest star on ‘Three Rivers’

LOS ANGELES — Mandy Patinkin is returning to CBS — and he’s bringing a personal story line with him. The network says the former “Criminal Minds” star will make a guest appearance on the medical drama “Three Rivers.” He’ll play an aspiring organ donor. Patinkin received corneal implants, donated by the families of a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, to correct a disease that distorts the shape of the cornea and severely impairs vision.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Linda Lavin (“Alice”) is 72. Actress-director Penny Marshall is 67. Musician Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters is 63. Actress Tanya Roberts (“That ’70s Show,” “Charlie’s Angels”) is 54. TV chef Emeril Lagasse is 50. Singer Ginuwine is 39. Singer Keyshia Cole is 28.