murder conviction

Wack 100 Is Livid Over Menendez Brothers Discourse

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Wack 100 always offers his hot takes and assessments on hip-hop’s legal situations, but sometimes he talks about other criminal cases in wider society. For example, he recently joined No Jumper and spoke about the Menendez brothers’ case and people advocating for their release from prison. If you didn’t know, a court convicted Joseph and Erik Menendez of murder in 1996 and gave them life sentences for killing their parents in Beverly Hills back in 1989. The conversation around them these days stems from new information, appeals, and reflections that resulted in many calling for their release, as they allegedly acted in self-defense due to their parents’ abuse. That’s something that Wack can’t get behind.

“Nah, don’t let them out,” Wack 100 expressed on No Jumper with Adam22 concerning the Menendez brothers. “I’ma tell you why. Listen, they say all that happened. This is the problem I got. If y’all gon’ let the Menendez brothers out… [for] overkill murder… If you’re going to let them out because they were at 18 and 21 years old… Let out all those Black and brown people in there whose daughter said, ‘Dad, when I was nine, the neighbor did this, or uncle such did this,’ and the dad went over there and killed them and is doing life in jail.”

Read More: Wack 100 Claims Lil Wayne Won’t Perform At Super Bowl But Will Pop Out With Drake Instead

Wack 100 Speaks On The Menendez Brothers Case

In addition, Wack 100 posited that U.S. law doesn’t account for after-the-fact murder for other crimes that happened to that murderer. He suggested that the situation would be different if the Menendez brothers committed murder while their parents were in the middle of abusing them, not the premeditated murder that prosecutors characterized this as. Most importantly for the music executive, he called out double standards when it comes to other folks’ incarceration that faced similar situations.

As for other Wack 100 takes, he recently explained what he called a misinterpreted claim about Drake sending Kendrick Lamar a cease and desist to prevent him from performing “Not Like Us” during his Super Bowl halftime show. On multiple occasions, Wack has claimed that he never directly issued this accusation. We’ll see if he walks back his Menendez brothers assessment one day as well.

Read More: Wack 100’s Girlfriend Gets His Face Tattooed On Her Back

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Vybz Kartel Freed: Everything We Know About The Dancehall Legend’s Release

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Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, has been released from prison after judges ruled he should not face a retrial for murder, BBC reports. Kartel, who was imprisoned in 2014 for the alleged murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, has always maintained his innocence. His conviction was overturned by UK judges in March. On Wednesday, appeal judges in Jamaica decided the case would not go back to court. This decision marks the end of a long legal battle for the 48-year-old artist, who is said to be in poor health after spending 13 years in custody. Here’s everything we know about his release and the events leading up to it.

Read More: Why Was Vybz Kartel Jailed?

The Initial Conviction & Appeal

Vybz Kartel was convicted in 2014 alongside co-defendants Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John. The prosecution argued that Kartel and his associates were involved in the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams in August 2011. Williams and another man, Lamar Chow, were reportedly summoned to Kartel’s house after failing to return two unlicensed firearms. Chow testified that they were attacked and that he saw Williams lying motionless on the ground before the house was burned down. Williams’ body was never found.

Despite their consistent claims of innocence, Kartel and his co-defendants were sentenced to life in prison. Kartel, specifically, received a minimum term of 35 years. Following his conviction, Kartel appealed to courts in Jamaica, which upheld the verdict. However, his legal team did not relent and took the case to the Privy Council in London, Jamaica’s highest court of appeal.

The Privy Council Ruling

Vybz Kartel
Vybz Kartel during The Official Welcome Back Concert – Backstage at Nassau Coliseum in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

In March, the Privy Council in London ruled that the conviction was unsafe due to the presence of a biased juror. Kartel’s defense had argued that a juror had attempted to bribe other members of the jury, which should have led to their removal from the trial. The Privy Council agreed. They stated that the decision not to remove the juror infringed on the defendants’ fundamental right to a fair hearing. The judges concluded that this oversight was “fatal to the safety of the convictions which followed.”

Read More: Vybz Kartel Declares Lil Wayne His “Favorite Rapper Alive”

Decision Against A Retrial

Despite the Privy Council’s ruling, Jamaican authorities had the option to retry Kartel and his co-defendants. However, on Wednesday, Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop of Jamaica’s Court of Appeal, along with two other judges, decided against a retrial. They considered several factors, including the “egregious nature and seriousness of the offense,” the unavailability of access to witnesses and evidence, the passage of time, and the considerable expense of a retrial. Additionally, Kartel’s declining health played a significant role in their decision. The judges concluded that “the interests of justice do not require a new trial,” and formally acquitted Kartel and his co-defendants.

Reaction To The Release

Kartel’s release has sparked widespread reactions in Jamaica and beyond. Known for hits like “Clarks,” “Ramping Shop,” and “Summer Time,” Vybz Kartel is one of Jamaica’s most influential dancehall artists. His music career, which continued to thrive even while he was imprisoned, has shaped and propelled dancehall internationally. Vybz’s release is seen as a monumental moment for dancehall music.

His release has been met with plenty of praise, from mainstream artists like Drake and Cardi B to 1Xtra’s Dancehall Show presenter, Seani B, who described Kartel’s release as a “mammoth day” for Jamaica and the dancehall community at large. Seani also acknowledged the lingering pain of Williams’ family, emphasizing the need to remember the victim amid the celebrations. No doubt that he’ll be releasing new music soon, indicating his plans to reclaim his spot as the top artist in the dancehall scene.

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Pop Smoke’s Alleged Killer Cuts Off Ankle Monitor: Watch

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The Pop Smoke murder trial has taken some interesting turns as of late concerning former codefendants, but they’re on very different extremes of discussion. On one hand, the sole adult defendant in the case, Corey Walker, failed to secure a plea negotiation in his case, so he will have to wait longer to face his trial. But for the other codefendant of note these days, Blockstar, his newsworthiness stems more from his extreme attempts at securing freedom. Moreover, a clip recently emerged of him seemingly cutting off his own ankle monitor, making his attempts at escape known for whatever reason.

Furthermore, the court previously released Blockstar earlier this month in the Pop Smoke murder case, presumably due to completing his four year juvie sentence following a guilty plea. The circumstances and vagueness of this release provoked a lot of debate within fans. Of course, a lot of negative messages and threats ensued, and another video was posted that shows Blockstar’s probation officer calling him and requesting relocation due to concerns over his safety. Clearly, a lot of anger or confusion over this has caused some due worries, and hopefully it doesn’t escalate.

Read More: Pop Smoke’s Murder Reportedly Connected To Rapper Found Dead In Barrel

Blockstar Cuts Off His Ankle Monitor

However, things took yet another curious turn when Pop Smoke’s released alleged murderer demanded that No Jumper hand him a bag. Specifically, it seems like he wants the publication to pay him for providing coverage of his prison release and, by extension, allegedly exploiting his name and story for their own gain. We’re sure that Blockstar extends this ire to other news outlets and media pages talking about his release, but he still chose one particular target. Perhaps something develops from this in the future, but again, hopefully things stay more measured.

Pop Smoke’s Alleged Murderer Might Be Relocated

Meanwhile, this news arrived a couple of months after folks heard a new alleged testimony of the tragic loss of Pop Smoke. It came from a supposed friend or colleague of his that was apparently at his house when home invaders took his life. It’s a bit of a harrowing account, but it also emphasizes the mundane nature of the situation before a dark end. With luck, we will celebrate the late New York MC’s legacy this year for many more reasons that have nothing to do with this crime.

Read More: Pop Smoke Trends On 4-Year Anniversary Of His Death

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Vybz Kartel’s Murder Conviction Overturned Due To Alleged Juror Misconduct

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It’s been more than a decade since Vybz Kartel was put behind bars over the disappearance of his associate Clive “Lizard” Williams, whose body has yet to be found. Fans and peers have continuously called for the Jamaican dancehall artist to be released, particularly amid worrisome health issues he reportedly faced last year. The performer’s attorney told Fox 5 that he was battling a “life-threatening” illness in June while dealing with allegedly “inhumane” prison conditions.

Things are looking up for the hitmaker now, however. Today, Vybz Kartel appeared in court alongside his three co-defendants where he appealed his lifetime prison sentence, with a minimum of 32 and a half years. His appeal was successful, though the case can still be retried. He will remain behind bars for the time being.

Read More: Vybz Kartel Faces “Life-Threatening” Illness Behind Bars: Report

Vybz Kartel Wins Murder Conviction Appeal

Vybz Kartel's Murder Conviction Overturned After 13-Year Prison Stint
Performs onstage during MTV’s Tempo network launch celebration October 16, 2005 in St. Mary, Jamaica. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

During the hearing, the defendants’ attorneys cited alleged juror misconduct that took place during the 2014 murder trial. Allegedly, one juror offered other jurors $500K in an attempt to sway the outcome of the trial. The Privy Council ruled that because of this, the original conviction should be overturned. “The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has concluded that the appeals should be allowed and the appellants’ convictions should be quashed on the ground of juror misconduct, and that the case should be remitted to the Court of Appeal of Jamaica to decide whether to order a retrial of the appellants for the murder of the deceased,” a statement by the Privy Council reads.

It’s unclear at the time of writing whether or not the case will be retried. What do you think of the latest development in the case of Vybz Kartel and his co-defendants? Are you glad that his murder conviction has been overturned? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Vybz Kartel’s Lawyer Believes His Life “Is In Danger”

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Kay-O Convicted Of Murder After Bragging About It In Music Video

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UK drill rapper Kay-O, born Kammar Henry-Richards, was convicted of murder earlier this week. The conviction comes after he seemingly bragged about his alleged crimes in a music video. The 25-year-old, along with three of his associates, was charged in the fatal shooting of Kacey Boothe. Boothe was also 25 when he was shot outside of a community center in north-east London in 2022. The group was also found guilty of planning to kill Khalid Samante. A date for Kay-O’s sentencing will be scheduled in 2024.

Samante, who’s believed to have been their intended target, was hosting a birthday party for his son at the community center when the shooting took place. After the attack, Boothe was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. During their trial, the men were accused of being associated with rival gangs. The jury was told that the shooting took place “against a background of violent incidents.”

Read More: FBG Duck Murder Case Informant Trenches News Dodges Questions In Resurfaced Interview

Kay-O’s Sentencing Will Be Scheduled Next Year

According to prosecutors, the murder weapon was fired on seven separate occasions. Boothe’s older brother Kyle was also reportedly a victim of a shooting with the weapon in 2020. His injuries were not fatal. They additionally accuse the rapper of bragging about the attack on Boothe in one of his music videos. The video in question is for his track “Laughing Stock,” which they claim references the fact that they used the gun to shoot both Boothe and his brother.

“A boast was being made that the same ‘Sig’ (gun) had been used to shoot both Kacey Boothe and his elder brother Kyle Boothe,” Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC claims. “Big Boothe and Little got hit, same sig, that’s a sour family/Both got slapped at functions, neck and head, handguns come handy,” the lyrics read. Orchard adds that at the time of the song’s release, this information was unknown to authorities, and known to only those involved in the crime. What do you think of Kay-O getting convicted of murder after he appeared to brag about it in his music video? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: PnB Rock Murder Case New Developments: Two Additional Suspects Charged

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Federal Court Upholds Conviction In C-Murder’s 2009 Homicide Case

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C Murder 1

A recent report has confirmed that a federal judge has upheld the murder conviction of legendary No Limit rapper Corey Miller aka C-Murder despite two key witnesses recanting their testimony, which they say was not true.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance denied a habeas corpus petition on November 13 filed by Miller’s attorneys, in which they attempted to overturn the 2009 murder conviction in which Miller was convicted of the January 2002 murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas at NOLA’s Platinum Club.

Vance was convinced that the recants of the two witnesses were “suspect and not reliable,”upholding the court’s original ruling. Vance stated in her 47-page ruling, that Miller has the difficulty to “put forth clear and convincing evidence of error in the state courts’ findings of fact, which he has failed to do.” 

Miller was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in 2009 after being tried twice of the 2002 shooting death of Thomas. The 16-year-old was an up-and-coming rapper was shot inside of the club, with security guard Darnell Jordan saying he saw a flash of light come from Miller’s hand, which was presumably a gunshot.

The second witness, Kenneth Jordan, testified that notable attendees of the club were allowed to go around metal detectors at the club and identified C-Murder as the shooter from a photo lineup. Both men’s testimonies were consistent until 2018 when they signed affidavits recanting their statements and accusing police investigators of pressuring them. 

In 2019, a Jefferson Parish judge ruled that the recantations were not credible. 

C-Murder is appealing Vance’s decision to a higher federal court. 

The post Federal Court Upholds Conviction In C-Murder’s 2009 Homicide Case first appeared on The Source.

The post Federal Court Upholds Conviction In C-Murder’s 2009 Homicide Case appeared first on The Source.

YSL Polo Removed From YSL RICO Trial

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Back in May of 2022, YSL Polo was indicted as part of the YSL RICO case. Now, prosecutor Adriane Love has revealed that his charges have been dropped. The rapper was found guilty of murdering Xavier Arlandor Turner in 2020 recently, and has since displayed some unusual behavior. “In the interest of judicial economy and efficiency,” they’ll be moving forward without him.

A clip of YSL Polo acting out of character recently went viral, causing Young Thug’s attorney to take action. He filed to sever him from the YSL trial in order to ensure a fair trial for Young Thug. “Mr. Dorsey, a co-indictee, has displayed unprofessional and unacceptable conduct in Court, in the presence of this Honorable Court, as announced on the Record on Thursday, August 31, 2023,” his motion read. YSL Polo is also already serving a life sentence for a separate murder charge.

Read More: YSL RICO Trial To Resume Following YSL Polo Conviction

Seven Defendants Remain In YSL RICO Case

YSL Polo Removed From YSL RICO Trial
Young Thug attends the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/WireImage)

“I’m a little disappointed that it took the state nine months to realize this is a major waste of taxpayer dollars,” YSL Polo’s attorney Chadha Jimenez explained. “Mr. Dorsey should have never been part of this. He was already serving a life sentence without parole.” He was previously convicted of homicide after he was caught on camera shooting a 39-year-old man outside of a gas station during an armed robbery.

Young Thug remains behind bars, awaiting jury selection. He’s been in prison since May of last year while countless peers and fans have called for his release. Earlier this week, it was reported that he’s filed legal paperwork calling for a speedy trial. There’s been concerning reports surrounding the status of the rapper’s health, with his defense claiming that the prison is keeping him in poor conditions. Allegedly, the prison is offering inmates inadequate food options, depriving Young Thug of sleep, and limiting his access to sunlight. Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on YSL Polo.

Read More: Young Thug’s Lawyer Seeks To Remove YSL Polo From RICO Trial Due To His Behavior

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Vybz Kartel Loses Bid To Introduce New Evidence In Murder Appeal

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Vybz Kartel remains the reigning champion of dancehall, even throughout his incarceration. Police arrested and charged the dancehall star in 2011 in relation to the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. A few years later, the court convicted the “Romping Shop” singer and sentenced him to life in prison. Throughout his time behind bars, he remained one of the most consistent artists in the dancehall scene. At the same time of releasing an abundance of music, he attempted to appeal his conviction. Unfortunately, his attempts haven’t proven to be successful.

Most recently, Vybz Kartel took his appeal to the United Kingdom’s Privy Council where he tried to have “fresh evidence” introduced to his appeal. Kartel’s attorneys want to bring forth new evidence relating to the singer’s phone, which contained incriminating text messages and voice messages surrounding the murder of Williams. However, his attorney argued that there are signs of tampering with the phone during its time in police custody. Throughout the numerous attempts, Kartel’s chances of release became slim. Still, he remains hopeful that he could overturn his conviction in the future. 

Privy Council Denies Vybz Kartel’s “Fresh Evidence” But Appeal Isn’t Over

ST. MARY – OCTOBER 16: Vybz Kartel performs onstage during MTV’s Tempo network launch celebration October 16, 2005 in St. Mary, Jamaica. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Per Dancehall Mag, the UK-based Privy Council, Jamaica’s final court, denied Vybz Kartel’s motion to introduce this “fresh evidence” of tampering. This came after they refused permission to appeal “additional grounds” brought forth by his legal team. Additionally, the court refused his co-defendants, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St. John on similar grounds. “Having considered written submissions from the Appellants and the Respondent, we have agreed to report to Your Majesty as our opinion that permission to appeal to be refused in the application dated 20 November 2020,” the committee reported.

However, not all hope is lost in this case. Though his efforts to introduce new evidence have been denied, his actual appeal still stands and is outstanding. As Kartel continues to fight the case, it seems as though he will still have a chance to make an argument in front of Jamaica’s final court. Still, his attorney, Isat Buchanan, didn’t share any new information with the media. “The matter is sub judice,” Buchanan said, which is Latin for “under a judge.” We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates surrounding Vybz Kartel’s trial. 

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