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Slain rapper's lyrics used in shooter's defense in murder trial

After a dispute in Atlanta, the suspect says he felt threatened in a random encounter in L.A. But prosecutors say the musician's glorifying of the gang lifestyle does not justify his shooting.

May 21, 2010|By Jack Leonard, Los Angeles Times

Instead, the valet testified that he heard a confrontation and Berry say, "Oh, it's like that." He saw Berry turn away from Burton, chamber a round in his handgun, turn back toward the rapper and begin firing.

Prosecutors argued that ballistic evidence and blood found at the scene shows that Berry fired at Burton, shifted direction to fire at one of Burton's friends, then turned back to shoot at the rapper as he tried to run to safety, hitting him in the back. Berry fired a total of eight rounds.

Prosecutors accused the defense of unfairly attacking Burton's character.

Dhanidina showed the jury violent lyrics sung by Frank Sinatra and rappers Ice-T and Ice Cube. Ice-T, he noted, now plays a detective on the television show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; Ice Cube starred in the family movie "Are We There Yet?"

"It's marketing," Dhanidina told jurors, who are now deliberating. "The lyrics of the rap song has nothing to do with this case.... An unarmed man was gunned down in cold blood from behind."

jack.leonard@latimes.com

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