murder trial Archives - Page 4 of 11

Young Dolph Trial’s Judge Scorches His Alleged Killer In Court: Watch

February 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The trial for the murder of Young Dolph is meant to be an unbiased and fair one, but that is becoming quite difficult to see these days. However, it’s important to note that it’s for external reasons, so there’s no actual threat of injustice when it comes to the verdict. Moreover, this stems from Shelby County Judge Jennifer Mitchell’s recent reprimanding of prime suspect Hernandez Govan in a Tennessee courtroom this week, according to court documents obtained by AllHipHop. For those unaware, he sought a change in his bond terms, as he wants to be able to find employment to provide for his family.

Furthermore, Govan stands accused as the mastermind behind the hit on Young Dolph. The court charged him with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. They arrested the suspect in November of 2022, a year after the rapper’s passing, and granted him a $90K bond and house arrest arrangements. This also follows other developments in this court proceeding, such as authorities seeking jurors outside of Memphis to lessen the risk of bias in the outcome.

Judge Slams Young Dolph’s Alleged Murderer: Watch

Back to Judge Mitchell, though, she chastised Govan for his behavior during this bond and house arrest term. “Mr. Govan, I don’t have to tell you how serious these charges are,” she began her remarks about the Young Dolph case. Mitchell believes he is “playing fast and loose with the court” and disrespected the judicial process. “You’re doing interviews… and the court doesn’t like the fact that you feel free enough to do interviews. You are to not have any interviews with anybody for any reason.”

“Please don’t give me any reason to revoke this bond,” Judge Mitchell concluded her statement. The court will review Govan’s bond conditions on March 1, and it’s unclear how this will impact the rest of the trial. However, there’s already a lot of speculation and dissatisfaction with how this whole thing is panning out, and whether this will really bring the justice the late Memphis legend deserves. Unfortunately for us, we’ll just have to wait and see. On that note, log back into HNHH for the latest news and updates on the Young Dolph trial.

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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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Jam Master Jay Murder Trial: Prosecutors Claims Witnesses Will Lie For Fear Of Retaliation

January 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Run DMC member Jam Master Jay was tragically murdered in 2002 while in a New York recording studio. Though it’s taken decades, the men who are accused of the murder are now finally on trial. After jury selection got underway earlier this month the trial itself officially began at the start of this week. It’s already getting attention online as the judge ruled that lyrics were inadmissible as evidence in the trial and cited Future in his decision. But now just a few days into the trial proceedings there’s already new drama.

According to HipHopDX, late Monday night the prosecution filed a notice to the court. In the notice, they claimed that some of the witnesses in the trial were scared to testify and would even lie under oath to avoid retaliation. It’s unclear exactly how the judge will handle the notice and what adjustments may be made to the trial to accommodate it. This current trial is just for two of the three men accused of participating in the murder. Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were indicted and arrested in 2020. A third man, Jay Bryant was arrested last year and his trial is expected to get underway in 2025.

Witnesses In The Jam Master Jay Trial Scared Of Retaliation

All three of those accused of Jay’s murder have pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges that the three entered his recording studio in New York where the fatal shooting took place. Their telling of events identified Karl Jordan as the man responsible for actually pulling the trigger. Additionally, they claim he fired two shots from close range which ultimately resulted in the MCs untimely death.

Why it took so long for a case against the men to be brought forward isn’t clear. What do you think of the prosecution’s claims that witnesses in the Jam Master Jay trial would lie under oath for fear of retaliation? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Jam Master Jay Trial Begins Two Decades After His Murder

January 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Jam Master Jay of Run DMC’s murder went unsolved for a long time, but almost 22 years after it, we will at least get an answer when it comes to two prime suspects. Moreover, after the jury selection phase kicked off a few days ago at press time, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr.’s trial began with opening statements on Monday (January 29). They received these federal charges in 2020 for the Brooklyn incident, which they allegedly carried out as revenge for a cocaine deal gone wrong, prosecutors argue. If convicted of these crimes, they face life sentences in prison.

Furthermore, U.S. Disctrict Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall will oversee the trial, which is expected to last a month. When news first broke that Jam Master Jay’s alleged killers would face trial this month, many folks expressed a lack of hope in justice, if these are in fact the culprits. For one, some folks did witness the murder and police developed leads upon his loss, but these never came to fruition until the charges in August of 2020. In that way, it’s similar to unsolved cases in hip-hop such as the infamous and tragic examples of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur.

Jam Master Jay Performing In 2001

Jam Master Jay Murder Trial Start Hip Hop News — Jam Master Jay of Run DMC performs on stage at the Respect Festival, Finsbury Park, London, United Kingdom, 2001. (Photo by Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)

However, even though some rumored details of this trial didn’t manifest -– such as a double jury -– the details of the incident themselves remain murky. Prosecutors and the charges claim that Washington and Jordan intruded Jam Master Jay’s studio on October 30, 2002 at nighttime. Allegedly, Washington threatened another person in the room with a firearm, whereas Jordan shot Jay twice with one bullet striking his head at close range. In addition, prosecutors suggest that Jay had agreed to purchase 10 kilograms of cocaine that the suspects and other individuals distributed in Baltimore. The suspects chose to retaliate against the DJ when he exited the arrangement.

Meanwhile, Jay Bryant will face a separate trial for his alleged involvement in the murder, for which prosecutors charged him in May of 2023. Jordan and Washington maintain that attorneys waited too long to charge them, which will make it more difficult for them to prove their innocence due to faulty witness memory and cell phone records becoming unavailable over time. In September of 2022, a judge dismissed these concerns and questioned how they could counter prosecutors’ evidence in the first place. For more news and the latest updates on the Jam Master Jay trial, check back in with HNHH.

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Jam Master Jay’s Murder Trial Enters Jury Selection Phase

January 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The trial for Run DMC member Jam Master Jay’s murder is finally getting underway more than 20 years after it happened. Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were first indicted for the murder back in 2020. Jay Bryant was also charged for his murder last year, though his trial isn’t due to start until much mater. With opening statements due to begin next week, an important part of the process for the upcoming trial got underway earlier today. Jury selection for the case began as the prosecution and defense will slim down a pool of jurors to those who will decide the fate of Jordan and Washington.

Prosecutors allege that the murder happened as a result of a disagreement over a drug deal. They claim that the three men in question entered Jay’s studio in New York. Once there they claim Jordan fatally shot him in the head from close range. Opening statements in the trial of Jordan and Washington are scheduled to begin on January 29. Both pleaded not guilty in order to take their chances at trial. Bryant, the third man accused, is being tried separately after his lawyer claims he can prove his innocence. He also claims that the other two defendants would turn on him if all three were tried together.

Jury Selection Begins For Jam Master Jay’s Murder Trial

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 05: Darryl McDaniels and Joseph ‘Run’ Simmons of the Hip Hop group “Run DMC” are seen at a photoshoot for Adidas in front of a Jam Master Jay mural by Kenya D. Lawton in Hollis Avenue, Queens. on October 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

For the trial of the first two men accused they’re looking for a unique jury approach. The prosecution requested the rare move of a split jury made up of two entirely separate groups. What do you think of the long-awaited murder trial of Jam Master Jay’s alleged killers getting under way soon? Do you think they’ll be found guilty of his murder? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Keefe D Hires New Lawyer Ahead Of 2Pac Murder Trial

January 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Late last year it was reported that the man accused of being responsible for 2Pac’s murder, Keefe D, didn’t have the finances to hire a lawyer. He would instead be using public defenders Charles Cano and Robert Arroyo, who were appointed to represent him in November. They dealt with his request for bail, which was later set at $750K. While it was more than his lawyers were hoping for, prosecutors fought hard to keep him behind bars ahead of his trial. They argued that he was simply too dangerous to let out. He’s currently in custody at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas.

Keefe D’s trial is scheduled for June of this year, and to prepare, he recently hired a new private attorney. Carl Arnold, a Nevada lawyer, will replace his public defenders. It’s unclear whether or not Keefe D and his family will be able to gather the funds necessary to post his bail before the trial. If he is released, however, he’ll be placed on house arrest.

Keefe D Secures New Legal Representation

Duane “Keffe D” Davis appears in court with his attorney Charles Cano for a hearing at the Regional Justice Center on January 9, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Davis was indicted in 2023 on murder charges for his involvement in the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996. (Photo by Rachel Aston-Pool/Getty Images)

Previously, Keefe D has spoken openly about his alleged involvement in 2Pac’s murder. According to him, however, this was all simply for “entertainment.” In a court filing from December, his lawyers argued that their client believed he had immunity, and discussed the case solely for financial gain. “The book and video interviews were produced for a financial benefit under the belief that Duane had immunity,” they wrote. “The truthfulness of the content of the interviews was never verified. The book and interviews were done for entertainment purposes and to make money from a situation that Kading and others had already profited.”

Keefe D pleaded not guilty to 2Pac’s murder in November, and if convicted could face life in prison. What do you think of Keefe D reportedly dropping his public defenders before trial? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

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FBG Duck Murder: 6 O-Block Members Found Guilty

January 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Six members of the O-Block gang have been found guilty in the 2020 murder of drill rapper FBG Duck. A jury consisting of five men and seven women reached the verdict on Wednesday in a Chicago court. The anonymous group deliberated for approximately 16 hours before coming to an agreement. The guilty O-Block members include Charles Liggins, 32, Kenneth Roberson, 30, Christopher Thomas, 24, Marcus Smart, 25, Tacarlos Offerd, 32, and Ralph Turpin, 34. All six of them face life in prison.

While the jury found them all guilty of the murder in furtherance of a racketeering scheme, they remain mixed on other lesser counts. During the trial, the prosecution cited Duck’s track, “Dead Bitches,” which mocked the defendants’ slain associates, as noted by the Chicago Tribune. The attorney for Liggins argued in response that the song was just “good business.” “Part of YouTube promotion is clickbait. That’s what this was about. Mr. Weekly knew it … it’s marketing and promotion,” attorney Cynthia Giacchetti said in her closing remarks. “This is not fanning the flames of murder, this is fanning the flames of capitalism, making money for everybody.”

O-Block Six Found Guilty

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The prosecution, on the other hand, argued that most of the defendants weren’t rappers and therefore, their beef wasn’t to increase album sales. “That’s because O-Block is a criminal enterprise,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Julien said. “It’s not a record label, it’s not Motown, it’s not Graceland. It’s a violent street gang that murders people and sells drugs. That’s the reality.”

FBG Duck’s murder went down in a drive-by shooting in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood in August 2020. By April 2023, police arrested all six of the defendants who have now been found guilty. At the time of publishing, a sentencing has not been set. Be on the lookout for further updates on the sentencing of the defendants in the murder of FBG Duck on HotNewHipHop.

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Jam Master Jay’s Alleged Murderers Trials Will Begin This Month

January 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

It’s been more than 20 years since Run DMC member Jam Master Jay was murdered in a New York recording studio. He was allegedly shot by two men who broke into his studio in October of 2002. It took quite a long time for any attempt at justice for the DJ through the legal system. Back in 2020, two men were indicted with the murder and accusations emerged of the whole affair being a drug deal gone wrong. In May of last year a third man was hit with charges for allegedly participating in the murder.

Now more than 21 years later we know when the first trials will get underway for those accused of playing a role in Jay’s murder. Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were the first two men arrested and their trials are due to begin soon. According to TMZ, they’re currently in the jury selection phase with opening statements impending on January 29. The third man who was charged, Jay Bryant, isn’t expected to begin his trial until 2025. The first two both pleaded not guilty and a statement from Bryant’s lawyer indicates he will also do the same. “Securing an indictment in a secret grand jury, applying an extremely low burden of proof, is one thing. Proving it at trial is another matter,” the statement reads.

Jam Master Jay Murder Trials Starting This Month

American musician and DJ Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell (1965 – 2002), of the American hip hop group Run-D.M.C, performs on stage during the 1985 Fresh Fest at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island in August 1985. (Photo by John Nordell/Getty Images)

Because of some of the more unique elements of the trial the prosecution is requesting a dual jury. It’s a rare move that they hope will help make the trial of all three men go by as smoothly as possible. They already filed a motion to get a dual jury. At this time it’s unclear if that’s how the trial is moving forward.

What do you think of the trial of Jam Master Jay’s murderers starting later this month? Do you think the men will be convicted more than 20 years after the murder originally took place? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Fredo Bang Reflects On YNW Melly’s Trial, Says They Haven’t Talked Since 2022

January 6, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Fredo Bang recently discussed the hung jury in the double murder case against YNW Melly and revealed that the two haven’t spoken to one another since 2022. Speaking with VladTV, he explained that the incarcerated rapper lost his phone privileges.

“Yeah. I had to because they kept tagging my name and stuff on Twitter,” Fredo said, when asked it he’s kept up with the trial. As for how he felt about the hung jury, he added: “I felt bad because I know a lot of people who have been in a situation like that, waiting years and years and years… I just felt bad for him because I know he’s ready to get it over with.”

Fredo Bang Attends BET Hip Hop Awards

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 03: Fredo Bang arrives to the BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 03, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Of their relationship, Fredo added: “We haven’t talked in a minute because they stripped him of his phone privileges and stuff. He can’t use the phone. It’s been a very long time since I’ve talked to him.” From there, he clarified that they last spoke in the spring of 2022. He also discussed his song, “Free Melly,” on which he raps about getting a subpoena in the investigation. “Don’t want to talk to feds, probably got my digits/Free Melly it been love since the beginning/Talking ’bout subpoena, tell that lady I ain’t get it,” he rhymes. Elsewhere in the interview, Fredo explains that he’s hoping to avoid the courtroom and is focused on his children. Check out Fredo’s full interview with VladTV below.

Fredo Bang Discusses YNW Melly’s Trial

Melly’s first double murder trial was conducted back in June 2023 and resulted in a hung jury. Broward Circuit Court Judge John Murphy later granted prosecutors a delay in the retrial, which will now kick off in February. Be on the lookout for further updates on Fredo Bang as well as YNW Melly’s case on HotNewHipHop.

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