C-Murder's Murder Conviction Overturned By Louisiana Supreme Court
Published: Saturday - March 11, 2006
Words by Miles Bennett
C-Murder (Photo: Tru Records)
Maintaining his innocence since being convicted of murder, rapper C-Murder is now seeing a glimmer of hope, as a Louisiana Supreme Court overturned his murder conviction Friday (March 10).
According to reports, the rapper (real name: Corey Miller) could be released on bond as early as Monday, after waiting in limbo behind bars for nearly two years.
The rapper was convicted in murder death of 16-year-old Steve Thomas, who was gunned down outside the now-closed Platinum Club in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana in January 2002. Miller faced a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
During his trial in September 2003, Miller pled not guilty, but was found guilty after numerous witnesses identified Miller as the shooter during the night in question.
State District Judge Martha Sassone later ordered a new trial (see "C-Murder Granted New Trial; Bail A Possiblity") on grounds that prosecutors failed to reveal the criminal backgrounds of witnesses testifying against the rapper, which would possibly dent the credibility of their testimony.
Prosecutors appealed Sassone's ruling and in March of 2005, two of three judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal reversed Sassone's ruling (see "C-Murder Loses Latest Appeal Attempt; Could Face A Life Sentence") on grounds that other evidence pointed to the rapper's guilt, even without witness accounts.
In February 2006, Miller filed a request for a new trial with the Louisiana Supreme Court (see "C-Murder Files Request For New Trial"), who has reinstated Sassone's decision, saying her ruling "reflects a painstaking review of the evidence."
Now, the prosecution will have the decision on whether to retry the case.
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