In brief: Four men stabbed at ‘Notorious’ fete

Police say four men were stabbed at a New York City nightclub advertising an after-party for the film premiere of “Notorious” about rapper Biggie Smalls.

Police said Saturday a 21-year-old victim stabbed numerous times was in critical condition at Brookdale Hospital. Three others were stable.

Police did not immediately release further information.

While the party had been promoted as the “official” after-party, “Notorious” distributor, Fox Searchlight, said it was not related. The Djumbala club is in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn.

Smalls was born Christopher Wallace and also used the stage name “Notorious B.I.G.” His debut CD, 1994’s “Ready to Die,” helped re-energize East Coast rap. He was killed in Los Angeles in 1997.

Fairview, Okla.

Ex-sheriff guilty of rape, bribery

A former Oklahoma sheriff was convicted of second-degree rape and bribery Saturday in a case that accused him of coercing sex from female inmates and drug court defendants.

A Major County jury convicted former Custer County Sheriff Mike Burgess on 13 felonies, including five counts of second-degree rape and three counts of bribery by a public official. He was acquitted of 23 other felony counts. The jury recommended Burgess serve 94 years in prison. He is to be sentenced March 24.

Prosecutors alleged Burgess, 56, used his position as a member of a team controlling a drug court in Custer County to sexually coerce defendants.

Burgess had pleaded not guilty and his attorney maintained the accusers were either lying or that the women consented to sex.