murder

Florida Rapper Arrested After Bragging About Murder In Music Video

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Authorities in Florida arrested a local rapper for murder, one that he bragged about in a music video. According to Polk County deputies, Lakeland resident La’Darion Chandler, age 19, shot local gang member John McGee in the back after an altercation on December 17 of last year. While McGee received hospital treatment, he ultimately succumbed to his wounds 24 days later after refusing further assistance. Polk Country Sheriff Grady Judd spoke to Fox 13 about the incident. Moreover, he spoke quite frankly about not only the situation between Chandler and McGee, but also the former’s rap video that surfaced after his arrest.

“[McGee] was going to get well and go back and seek revenge on his own against this other opposing gang member,” Judd stated regarding the deceased not cooperating with police. “What we believe is he wanted to take care of it himself. He didn’t want that gang member locked up because if he was locked up, he couldn’t get to him.” Also, he added that Chandler was on juvenile detention at the time of the shooting. Officials took him in after he pulled a firearm on someone just a few blocks from where he shot McGee. As their investigation went on, they discovered Chandler’s rap visual.

Florida Rapper Arrested For Murder After Boasting In MV

“He’s not much of a rapper,” Judd further expressed. “My rapper expert says he doesn’t sing well. He doesn’t move well. He’s just a terrible rapper. But, he’s a stupid rapper. He not only makes a rap video about shooting somebody, but he also admits to shooting the guy in the back. ‘I’m a coward rapper, that’s what I am. Watch me shoot the guy in the back.’”

Meanwhile, police still seek the murder weapon, even going so far as to offer a $5,000 reward for it. Nevertheless, authorities charged Chandler with first-degree murder. In addition, Chandler’s arrest is reportedly part of a recently instated Gang Task Force in the area. While this incident happened on a small scale when it comes to publicity, it’s a warning to bigger rappers who might find themselves in a similar situation one day if they’re as reckless. Regardless, come back to HNHH for more incidents in the rap game.

[via]

Jam Master Jay Murder Witness Accused Of Being “Unreliable”

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A key witness in the killing of Jam Master Jay, Lydia High, is “unreliable,” according to lawyers representing Ronald Washington. As noted in court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the Law Office of Ezra Spilke pointed out several “impairing factors,” in a letter to Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. Among them are that the suspect was partially disguised in the first place as well as the fact that cross-racial and cross-ethnic identifications and identification procedures are often susceptible to bias. High was in the studio on the night of the legendary Run-DMC DJ‘s death.

In High’s initial statement, she said: “[T]wo black males entered the [sitting room] and both men had guns. Upon entering, one man remained in the doorway, the other man, who was wearing a knit wool mask and holding a gun, ordered Lydia [High] to the floor. The man with the mask then ordered Mr. Mizell to the floor, at which time Uriel Rincon stood up to assist . . . Mr. Mizell. The man with the mask then shot Mr. Mizell, fired another shot and fled out of the doorway with the other man.”

Jam Master Jay In 2001

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)

“According to Ms. High, only the shooter was wearing a mask,” Spilke says in the new documents. “Ms. High, who was interviewed by the police shortly after the shooting, failed to identify as a participant Mr. Washington, whom she later told the authorities she had known for ‘numerous years.’” He continued: “Nine months after the shooting, Ms. High’s account changed in that she then knew the identity of one of the participants: Washington, whom she identified from a photo array. In identifying Washington, High told the police that he was the person who pointed a gun at her and told her to ‘get on the ground’ while the masked person shot Mizell.”

Ronald Washington’s defense team also confirmed that they intend to call Dr. Geoffrey Loftus to the stand. Loftus is a psychologist with expertise in human memory, visual perception, as well as eyewitness identification. They plan to use his testimony to poke holes in High’s account. Spilke concluded: “Ms. High’s identifications of Mr. Washington—from the photo lineup or in open court may be unreliable for multiple reasons. Dr. Loftus’s descriptions of these reasons to the jury will provide the jurors with critical scientific information based on which they can allocate appropriate weight to Ms. High’s identifications. For these reasons, Dr. Loftus’s testimony is relevant and will be helpful to the trier of fact.”

[Via]

Polo G Was Supposed To Be With Pop Smoke The Day He Died

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Justice has yet to be served in Pop Smoke’s murder case. Several suspects were arrested after the beloved Drill rapper was gunned down at a luxury home in the Hollywood Hills. Pop was a respected artist on the rise, but sadly, his life was cut short in a botched home invasion. Since then, his loved ones and peers have kept his legacy alive, and Polo G is offering insight into what almost occurred that fateful day.

Last week, Polo G was a guest on the Full Send Podcast, where he opened up about a few hot topics. He detailed the controversy over him allegedly unfollowing Gunna while also claiming that he and Pop were supposed to be in the studio on the day of the murder. “I f*cked with Pop Smoke and the whole Drill sound,” Polo began.

Polo G Details Last Conversations With Pop Smoke
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 13: Rapper Polo G performs during Future & Friends “One Big Party Tour”at Spectrum Center on January 13, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

“You know, coming from Chicago, that’s where that sh*t started at,” the rapper continued. “So, I really tapped into they sh*t. I hit up Pop like, ‘Yo, let’s do this.’ He had been hitting me up in the past, but before I knew who he was. And then, when I seen they wave going strong, I hit him like, ‘Yo, I f*ck with y’all sh*t. Let’s do something.’” Polo was asked if he worked with Pop in the studio.

“Yeah, Pop, I worked with him. The craziest thing, I worked with him right before he passed,” Polo further shared. “I was in the studio with him. He said he was leaving to L.A. I stayed in New York an extra day to make sure Fivio [Foreign] laid his verse [for ‘Clueless’]. And Pop, a contact was telling me Pop wanted to get in the stu in L.A. the night he passed. ‘Cause I live there, he live there. We was supposed to get up.”

Polo G Describes Pop Smoke In The Studio

The Full Send hosts question Polo G about what Pop Smoke was like when he laid his verse. Polo recalls Pop getting through the session fairly quickly. The late rapper even paid homage to Chicago by asking Polo for the name of a popular spot in the city. When Polo let him know, Pop put it in his verse. Check it out above.

Detective Testifies In XXXTentacion Trial

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A detective involved in the investigation into the murder of XXXTentacion has taken the stand in the trial of those accused of killing the South Florida rapper. He says that suspect Dedrick Williams changed his story several times. He also confirmed that the suspect never mentioned Drake, Migos, or any other rap groups as having hired him. The defense previously suggested that Drake may have been involved in the killing.

On the stand, the detective explained that Williams changed his story for a third time after being told that the property had security cameras. In addition to Williams, Michael Boatwright and Trayvon Newsome have also been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery regarding X’s death. The group faces up to life in prison if convicted.

The Detective’s Testimony

As for Drake’s involvement, the defense cited a tweet from XXXTentacion prior to his death during their opening statements. “Before X died, he said, ‘If anybody kills me, it’s Drake.’ Do you think sitting here years later, any detective has ever asked Drake or anybody like that? No,” attorney Mauricio Padilla said according to Complex. “This is one of the biggest celebrities in the world. Excluding an order from this court, we all know that I will never be able to take his deposition.”

They ended up getting their wish and Drake has a deposition scheduled for February 24. “If deponent Aubrey Drake Graham does not appear to deposition he must appear before this court on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at 10 a.m. EST at so [sic] the court can determine why he should not be held in contempt,” the motion reads. Outside of the out of context tweet from X, there’s no other evidence of Drake being involved in his killing.

Fans mostly responded to the detective’s testimony with doubt about Drake’s involvement. “They want tickets to Drake’s concerts so badly,” one wrote on a post from DJ Akademiks. Another added: “They want drake so damn bad. It should be illegal to try and drag a random man into court for a MURDER case and potentially ruin his career or life. It’s so weird.”

[Via]

Nipsey Hussle’s Killer Eric Holder Sentenced To 60 Years

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After years of waiting, Eric Holder has been sentenced for the murder of Nipsey Hussle. The Los Angeles rapper was tragically killed in front of his Marathon Clothing Store in his hometown in 2019. He was quickly praised for his community efforts outside of his music career, and the global response was unlike any other experience in pop culture. Eric Holder was arrested promptly after witnesses named him as the assailant.

Surveillance cameras also captured the incident, implicating Holder in the crime. His defense attorneys argued he suffered from mental illness, but that didn’t hold much water. The anticipation of his sentencing has boiled over. Today (February 22), it was learned Holder received 60 years to life in prison.

Details Of The Sentencing Hearing
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 09: Nipsey Hussle attends 2019 Roc Nation THE BRUNCH on February 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Roc Nation )

Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder, and considering his past legal indiscretions, his sentence didn’t surprise the public. Additionally, KTLA 5 News reports that Holder was found guilty “of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm.” Those charges stemmed from the two other victims during the shooting who survived their injuries.

The outlet further shared that Holder “stared straight ahead throughout the proceedings.” A letter from his father was read in court, and Holder didn’t react when the verdict was handed down. The sentencing was initially delayed because the defense hoped to argue down the first-degree conviction, but it proved futile. Holder’s case wasn’t eligible for death penalty discussions.

Nipsey Hussle & Eric Holder Were Acquainted
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 14: Rapper Nipsey Hussle performs onstage during day one of the Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Investigators revealed that Nipsey and his killer knew each for some time. They were both members of the Rollin’ 60s gang in Los Angeles and had dreams of becoming the next prominent rapper from the City of Angels. It was suggested that someone referred to Holder as a “snitch,” unleashing his ire that resulted in Nipsey’s slaying. A witness testified during the trial that Nipsey’s death was a tragedy for not only his loved ones but for the community as a whole.

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