NEWSONE -- Rapper Corey “C-Murder” Miller was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for the 2002 shooting of a fan at a nightclub, capping tumultuous jury deliberations at his second trial in the killing.The Louisiana jury reached the 10-2 verdict around 1:30 p.m. in its second day of deliberations. Jurors had reached the same verdict earlier in the day, but District Judge Hans Liljeberg ordered them back to the jury room for more deliberation because of a questionable vote. Liljeberg said after the verdict’s intial reading that one juror had apparently changed her vote just to end deliberations.
Three jurors had been seen crying in the courtroom Tuesday morning, and the day before they sent a note that they were having trouble reaching a consensus.
The courtroom was completely silent when the verdict was given for the second time. More than a dozen
law officers filled the center aisle, and the judged had warned that anyone who so much as gasped would be arrested.
The victim’s family left in tears.
“I’m not rejoicing. I feel bad for (Miller’s) family. But at least they can see him. what have we got but a gravesite and a photograph,” said George Thomas, whose 16-year-old son, Steve Thomas, was shot to death during the brawl in a Harvey, La., nightclub.
Miller’s family and friends also cried outside the courtroom. His sister, Germaine Miller, shouted and accused the prosecutors of corruption.
The defense attorney for the 38-year-old rapper, who faces life in prison, declined comment.
Prosecutor David Wolff said he thought the verdict would stand up on appeal.
“The judge ran a very clean trial. Deliberating on a homicide case is difficult,” he said.
Miller was previously found guilty of killing Thomas, but a judge overturned the conviction, siding with defense attorneys who said prosecutors improperly withheld criminal background information on three key witnesses.
Miller has been in jail after pleading no contest to counts of attempted murder in a separate altercation at a nightclub in baton rouge in 2001. He faces sentencing later this month in that case.
The courtroom was completely silent when the verdict was given for the second time. More than a dozen
law officers filled the center aisle, and the judged had warned that anyone who so much as gasped would be arrested.The victim’s family left in tears.
“I’m not rejoicing. I feel bad for (Miller’s) family. But at least they can see him. what have we got but a gravesite and a photograph,” said George Thomas, whose 16-year-old son, Steve Thomas, was shot to death during the brawl in a Harvey, La., nightclub.
Miller’s family and friends also cried outside the courtroom. His sister, Germaine Miller, shouted and accused the prosecutors of corruption.
The defense attorney for the 38-year-old rapper, who faces life in prison, declined comment.
Prosecutor David Wolff said he thought the verdict would stand up on appeal.
“The judge ran a very clean trial. Deliberating on a homicide case is difficult,” he said.
Miller was previously found guilty of killing Thomas, but a judge overturned the conviction, siding with defense attorneys who said prosecutors improperly withheld criminal background information on three key witnesses.
Miller has been in jail after pleading no contest to counts of attempted murder in a separate altercation at a nightclub in baton rouge in 2001. He faces sentencing later this month in that case.
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