jury Archives - New Hip Hop News

Jam Master Jay Trial: 2 Men Found Guilty Of Murder

February 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

A jury has found two men guilty of murder in the trial for the killing of Jam Master Jay. Both Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington stood trial in the attack on the hip-hop icon who was killed at a recording studio in 2002. The two face at least 20 years behind bars and a maximum of life in prison.

Prosecutors claim Jay acquired 22 pounds of cocaine that he intended to have Washington and Jordan, among others, distribute. Eventually, Jay informed Washington that he planned to cut him out of the deal and the defendant began hatching a scheme to kill him in response. Washington and Jordan held Jay at gunpoint at the recording studio on October 30, 2002, and instructed him to lie on the floor. Jordan then executed him with two fatal gunshots at close range.

Jam Master Jay Performs In London

Jam Master Jay of Run DMC performs on stage during the Respect Festival, Finsbury Park, London, United Kingdom, 2001. (Photo by Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)

The state called a witness who was at the recording studio that night and they corroborated the story. They claimed they were “confused and scared” to reveal Washington and Jordan’s identities in the years prior to the trial. “It’s about greed, it’s about money, it’s about jealousy,” Assistant US Attorney Artie McConnell said in the prosecution’s closing arguments. “And it’s about the actions of two men, Karl Jordan, Jr., and Ronald Washington, that the evidence proves are killers.”

Washington and Jordan’s defense centered around the case of Jay Bryant. They claimed he was the true killer. Bryant is set to go on trial on his own in 2026. When the guilty verdict was read, the courtroom erupted into chaos according to CNN. “Y’all just killed some innocent people. Get me outta here,” Washington shouted. Be on the lookout for further updates on Jam Master Jay on HotNewHipHop.

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Young Dolph’s Murder Trial Will Seek Jurors Outside Of Memphis

February 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Young Dolph’s murder trial will now pull jurors from outside of his hometown of Memphis, Judge Jennifer J. Mitchell ruled last Friday. The decision comes in response to the intense media coverage of the rapper’s killing swaying public opinion on the case. Defendant Justin Johnson’s lawyer, Luke Evans, noted in his original filing that “the victim in the case is beloved here.”

In her ruling, Mitchell said: “This court is wary that jurors from Shelby County will not be able to lay aside their opinions or impressions and render a verdict based upon the evidence presented.” Prosecutor Paul Hagerman previously suggested having a potential jury pool of about 150 to 200 people fill out questionnaires to “gauge the effect of news coverage and social media commentary.” Mitchell, however, was concerned that strategy could delay the trial even further. It’s already moved back from its original start date of March 11 to June 3.

Young Dolph Performs At Rolling Loud

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: Young Dolph performs during Rolling Loud New York 2021 at Citi Field on October 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images)

Mia Jaye, Dolph’s fiancée and the mother of his children, has complained about the lack of progress made in the case since the rapper’s death in 2021. “I’m fed up. It’s been two years’ worth of conspiracies. Two years’ worth of unknowing. Two years’ worth of people not properly communicating to you,” she told Rolling Stone, last year. “I didn’t know if garnering more attention would hurt or help, and I wanted to help. I feel like I tried that, and I don’t feel like it was helping, I feel like we weren’t being taken seriously.”

It’s unclear where which county the additional jurors will now be pooled from. “We can get this jury from wherever,” Hagerman said. “We’re going to try this case, and we’re going to see this thing until the end.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Young Dolph’s murder trial on HotNewHipHop.

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Young Dolph’s Accused Murderer Begs For Non-Memphis Jury

February 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The men accused of killing Young Dolph in 2021 are gearing up for their trials, and one of their attorneys is doing everything in his power to give his client a leg up. According to the Associated Press, an attorney for Justin Johnson, Luke Evans, filed a motion for a venue change earlier this week. He insists that it’s the only way to ensure a fair trial. Evans argues that jurors from Memphis could be biased in their decisions, also noting how Young Dolph is “beloved” in the area.

“A jury from somewhere else lacks that personal connection to the crime,” Evans explained. Judge Jennifer Mitchell will rule on the motion later this month, on February 9. Originally scheduled for March of this year, Johnson and his co-defendant Cornelius Smith will now begin their trials in June. They’ve both previously pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder.

Justin Johnson Pushes For Jury Lacking “Personal Connection To The Crime”

Young Dolph's Accused Murderer Begs To Move Trial Out Of Memphis — Rapper Young Dolph attends a Party Hosted by Young Dolph at Compound on May 12, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

Another one of the four men charged in Young Dolph’s murder, Hernandez Govan, also awaits his trial. He’s believed to have been the alleged “mastermind” behind the shooting. Jermarcus Johnson, Justin Johnson’s brother, is currently awaiting sentencing after accepting a plea deal. He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact.

The late artist’s fiancee, Mia Jaye, says that she’s displeased with the legal proceedings. “For me to see this play out as if it is some type of entertainment…We got songs being made, but how are these people getting held accountable?” she asked in December. What do you think of Young Dolph’s accused killer asking a judge to use jurors outside of Memphis? Do you think the judge should grant his request? What about his claim that a Memphis jury would make the trial less than fair? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

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Lil Zay Osama Faces 20-Year Sentence Following Gun Charges & Indictment

January 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Lil Zay Osama’s recent arrest for gun possession and retail theft is remaining a court battle for the foreseeable future. Moreover, a New York grand jury indicted him on Wednesday (January 24) for possession of a machine gun and unregistered firearm possession, which could result in a 20-year sentence at maximum. The rapper, now in state custody in Illinois on unrelated charges, allegedly left a loaded Glock pistol with a switch in a car riding from Manhattan to Queens, which he used as a ride-share, and was arrested in 2022. He will face arraignment at a later date, and he was arrested in December of 2023 following a police chase.

“As alleged, [Isaiah] Dukes [Lil Zay Osama’s real name] brought a machine gun into our District, and then dangerously left it in the back of a ride-share,” Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, shared. “This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work diligently to protect our communities from such dangerous weapons.

Lil Zay Osama Performing In 2021

Lil Zay Osama Indictment 20 Year Sentence Gun Charges Hip Hop News — ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 27: Lil Zay Osama performs on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage/Getty Images)

“His indictment is a stark reminder that loaded, illegal firearms -– sometimes modified to maximize their deadly potential, as alleged in this case -– continue to be brought into and carried throughout New York City,” Edward Caban, New York Police Department Commissioner, also remarked. “Let me be clear. This behavior will not be tolerated here. The NYPD vows to keep our streets safe from guns and anyone who unlawfully possesses them. I commend and thank the ride-share driver who observed this weapon for doing what we always ask of all New Yorkers. He saw something and he said something, and he possibly saved lives in the process.”

Meanwhile, this is what the MC had to say on Instagram in response to all of his legal trouble. “I guarantee n***as gone need me before I need them,” he wrote. “I’ll be home sooner than you think. Blink n***a [purple devil emoji].” For more news and the latest updates on Lil Zay Osama, log back into HNHH.

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Young Thug Trial Hit With Serious Security Breach As Four Jurors Identified

November 30, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Young Thug is currently on trial in the YSL RICO case. Overall, this is a case that has been going on since May of 2022. At the time, Gunna, Thugger, and many others were arrested. However, since that time, many have been freed, including Gunna. Now, Thug has to stand trial and it has already proven to be a bit of a mess. The first few days in court have been filled with burden-shifting, anime references, and service dogs. It has been a wild time, and no one knows what to really make of it.

Unfortunately, things got a whole lot worse yesterday as there was a livestream crew working inside the courtroom. During the testimony of Detective Mark Belknap, the camera panned a bit too far to the left. Subsequently, the faces of a few jurors were captured. After No Jumper posted the video to social media, people began identifying the jurors by name. This is an absolute nightmare scenario, and Judge Ural Glanville had to confirm that this did, indeed, happen.

Young Thug Trial Continues

MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Young Thug celebrates Futures birthday at Versace Mansion on November 17, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Freebandz )

Overall, this forced Glanville’s hand completely. He subsequently told the film crew that they had to stop filming, immediately. Otherwise, things could have gotten very bad. Moving forward, there is a bit of confusion as to what will happen next. For the most part, it seems like the jurors will stay on, at least for now. However, if they feel uncomfortable with continuing on, there are a plethora of backup jurors that can be used in this scenario.

Regardless, this is an unfortunate mistake that could very dire real-world implications. Hopefully, everyone is okay and this doesn’t happen ever again. Let us know what you think about this development, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always be sure to keep you informed.

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Young Thug & YSL RICO Trial Finally Gets Seated Jury: Report

November 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Finally, after over a year of delays and court developments and fiascos since the initial arrest, the YSL RICO trial is moving underway for Young Thug and his codefendants, according to a Billboard report. Moreover, the Atlanta court overseeing this case finally sat its jury in it after finalizing candidates earlier this week. As such, this means that the court will at long last commence full proceedings on this situation on the scheduled date of November 27. While this case hasn’t gotten any prettier or more promising to cover, at least this movement is some form of progress in this journey. For those unaware, prosecutors claim that the record label Young Stoner Life, led by Thugger, is actually a dangerous street gang in Atlanta known as Young Slime Life.

Furthermore, the jury selection process began in January of this year, about six months after authorities initially arrested Young Thug and other YSL affiliates. However, it proved incredibly difficult to find willing and able jurors in this trial. Many dropped out due to the heightened time-consuming commitments that a high-profile case like this represents. On the other hand, the court found many to exhibit too much bias, incompetent, or public revelations to participate.

Young Thug Performing In 2019

Young Thug YSL RICO Trial Jury Hip Hop News — LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Young Thug performs on stage during Wireless Festival 2019 on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns/Getty Images)

In addition, this adds onto drug busts, more arrests, severances from the trial, and plea deals that the YSL RICO case involved. In fact, prosecutors led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis initially indicted 27 individuals in this case. Now, only seven remain and face the brunt of the charges if convicted. According to Atlanta media outlets such as its local NBC partner, the jury that will evaluate these seven indicted affiliates consists of seven Black women, two white women, two Black men, and one white man.

Meanwhile, full conviction could result in a lifetime prison sentence for the Atlanta trap pioneer. An important aspect to determine in the case is whether the court can use lyrics in their arguments. A hearing will take place next week to settle this mater with a ruling before opening arguments commence on November 27. For more news and the latest updates on the Young Thug and YSL RICO trial, stay logged into HNHH.

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YNW Melly Jury: One Woman’s Hesitation To Convict Reportedly Lead To Mistrial

August 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

After watching endless chaos unfold during YNW Melly’s double murder trial earlier this summer, the Florida native was surprisingly granted a mistrial. His attorneys attempted to motion for one earlier on in proceedings and were ultimately denied. However, the jury’s failure to come to a consensus led the presiding judge to rule in Melly’s favour. Of course, this doesn’t mean he’s walking free. Rather, prosecutors will be re-trying the case again in the fall. An October court date was already set at the end of July.

Many who have been keeping up with the trial are curious as to know exactly what happened with the jury behind closed doors. Thankfully, Local 10 News finally has some answers. According to them, the majority of members were on board with convicting Melly. However, one woman in particular held her ground on defending the accused killer. “From day one, she had issues with the foreperson selected, at one point crossing her arms and saying she was ‘Done!’” another juror recalled to the outlet.

Read More: YNW Melly Trial To Begin In October

YNW Melly’s First Jury Couldn’t Come to an Agreement

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“When another juror asked to not shut down and set her feelings aside, she exploded… She was explosive, manipulative, she was rude, she yelled insults at anyone who had a different opinion,” they further noted. Elsewhere, the anonymous source claimed the same woman was there specifically “to cause chaos.” The next group of jurors selected to hold Melly’s fate in their hands will obviously be different, though it’s possible we could see the same final outcome take place later this year.

Throughout the first YNW Melly trial, his mother, Jamie King, made frequent headlines for her comments on social media. In the midst of proceedings, she claimed that the stress she’s experienced while watching her son potentially face the death penalty gave her a heart attack. After a mistrial was declared last month, she also spoke out online. Read what King had to say at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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YNW Melly Trial Reaches Jury Deliberation

July 20, 2023 by newhiphopnews

After weeks of testimony and years of anticipation. YNW Melly’s fate will soon be known. A few days ago after presenting their final arguments, it was made clear that Melly would not testify in his own case. The defense and prosecution then rested both of their cases. Now, according to Pitchfork jury deliberation has begun. That jury will be responsible for uncovering whether or not Melly is guilty of first-degree murder charges stemming all the way back to 2018.

According to prosecutors, YNW Melly murdered two of his friends after leaving a recording studio one night in 2018. They then propose that he had an associate bring the pair to a local hospital alleging that they had been shot in a drive-by shooting. Melly’s defense has spent weeks trying to refute various claims made by the prosecutors. Details like whether or not bullets were fired from inside the car, when Melly was actually inside the car, and what motivations he might have had to commit either murder have been poured over for weeks. The Broward County jury now have the fate of the rapper in their hands.

Jury Deliberation Begins For YNW Melly

Earlier in the week prosecution scored a victory. They were allowed to read some of YNW Melly’s texts out loud in court. Despite the defense arguing that many of them weren’t directly related and that specific texts to Melly’s mother would unfairly sway the jury, they were ruled eligible. One particular text seemed to stick out to many. Melly reportedly texted Peezy Gambino “I did that” following the alleged double murder.

The move to deliberation comes after multiple delays to the trial that kept it going on far longer than many fans anticipated. A final delay resulting from illness in the court was made last week. Once everyone returned it didn’t take long for the presentation of arguments to wrap up. Jury deliberation is expected to last until at least tomorrow. What do you think the jury will ultimately decide in the YNW Melly case? Let us know in the comment section below.

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YNW Melly’s Death Penalty Potential Made Easier By Florida Judge

June 5, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The long-awaited trial for YNW Melly’s murder case is finally due to kick off later this month. Unfortunately, the Florida native received some bad news ahead of that regarding the death penalty. It was previously taken off the table for Melly, but ultimately later put back on after the ruling was found to be faulty. Since then, the 23-year-old has continued to campaign for his freedom with the help of attorneys, family, friends, and fans.

Even from behind bars Melly has managed to get messages out via Instagram. In one from earlier this year, the “Murder On My Mind” artist shared that he’s “in fear of [his] life” behind bars while awaiting his fate. YNW has allegedly dealt with harsh deputies, lieutenants, and sergeants, all of whom he says are threatening to “hide [him] from the world.” The original posts are no longer on his profile, leaving only more recent snapshots of the embattled star smiling while wearing a suit in court.

YNW Melly is Eager to Come Home

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A post shared by Just A Matter Of Slime (@ynwmelly)

As XXL reports, on Friday (June 2) Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy agreed with state prosecutors who filed a motion following a new statute allowing jury members to recommend a death sentence with an 8-4 vote. Before this, all 12 jurors would have to vote for the fatal penalty. Melly will officially be one of the first tried under the harsh new rule following Parkland High School shooter Nikolas Cruz’s recent denial due to a 9-3 vote from the jury.

Of all the states where it’s still legal, Florida now has the lowest threshold for handing out a death sentence in the country. Read all about the jury selection process for YNW Melly’s upcoming trial at the link below. Do you think the judge’s new ruling is fair for the young rapper? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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No Verdict Reached In XXXTENTACION Murder Trial As Jury Deliberates For 20+ Hours

March 16, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The trial surrounding the death of XXXTENTACION has nearly come to an end, though the jury continues to struggle to reach a verdict. Last week, the prosecutors and defense for Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome provided their closing arguments after several weeks of trial. Over the past few weeks, the jury heard from several witnesses, including XXXXTENTACION’s uncle, and reviewed evidence before they were left to deliberate the verdict. According to CTV, they’ve tried to reach a verdict after reviewing evidence connected to XXXTENTACION’s death. They’ll return to court on Thursday (March 16th) to continue.

The jury began to deliberate The reason for the delay surrounds two technical questions as the jury asked Circuit Judge Michael Usan about two specific pieces of evidence. The first surrounded the video of the men revealing $100 bills shortly after X’s death on June 18th, 2018. They also inquired whether they could open an envelope containing a collection of fingerprints before submitting a verdict in the XXXTENTACION murder trial. Judge Usan agreed that they could review both pieces of evidence as deliberation resumes.

Awaiting Verdict In XXXTENTACION Murder Trial

Jury fails to reach verdict in XXXTENTACION case after six days of deliberation — MIAMI BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 06: XXXTentacion (C) attends BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 on October 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams/FilmMagic)

Boatwright, Williams, and Newsome are currently charged with second-degree murder and armed robbery. However, they’ve maintained their innocence since the trial began. The defense claimed that the star witness, Robert Allen, who confessed to taking part in the robbery, was lying to avoid a life sentence. Meanwhile, the jury reviewed plenty of surveillance footage from Riva Motorsports that documented the moments leading up to XXXTENTACION’s death, including one video where two masked gunmen approach X’s car before shooting him and stealing a duffle bag of cash, that most felt would secure a guilty verdict.

In addition to the footage, the jury also reviewed text messages from Boatwright, who’s alleged to be the shooter. The text messages reveal that he sent text messages to 17 people about getting a car while prosecutors claim that a woman rented the vehicle through an app. There was also a text where he said, “Tell my brother I got the money for the new phone.” Another text from Boatwright included a screenshot of the news surrounding X’s murder. Despite the evidence that prosecutors believe ties the three defendants to the crime, the defense argued that detectives didn’t thoroughly investigate other possibilities including Drake’s alleged involvement. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding the verdict in XXXTENTACION’s murder case.

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