By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
A jury rejected Los Angeles prosecutors' contentions that the murder of up-and-coming Atlanta rapper "Dolla" (nee Roderick Anthony Burton II) was an act of revenge committed by accused shooter, Aubrey Louis Berry at the Beverly Center Mall in Los Angeles in May 2009.
Berry, 23, of Snellville, admitted to firing the shots that killed the young rapper, but pleaded not guilty at trial claiming he shot Burton in self-defense. Berry's attorney, Howard Price, argued that his client and Burton were involved in a confrontation at an Atlanta strip club shortly before the shooting which led Burton and a local gang to threaten his client's life.
By chance both men were at P.F. Chang's China Bistro in the mall on May 18. Berry says he feared Burton was going to make good on his earlier threat when he followed Berry into the valet area of the mall and fired his 9mm weapon.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Grace told the jury that Berry fired eight shots at Burton and members of his entourage; four of which hit Burton -- three in the back -- as he tried to run. Prosecutors alleged that after shooting Burton, Berry drove his car around the dying rapper's body.
Throughout Berry's trial, Price emphasized the fact that Burton — a protégé of hip-hop artist Akon — was a gangster rapper who glorified the violent gangster lifestyle in his rap lyrics. He told the court that his client, a young music promoter, was "distraught" and "scared" after the shooting and "made the mistake of going to the airport" where he was arrested with a gun.
Berry, a college graduate who had no criminal record at the time of his arrest, was acquitted of the murder on Friday. He had been incarcerated since the May 18, 2009 shooting under a $2.1 million bond, which had been lowered from $5 million.
At the time of his arrest, Berry told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "It was a stupid, silly incident that should've never escalated to this point."
In a prepared statement to the press, Burton's family wrote, "There are three victims in this case, none of which is Aubrey Berry. His claim of self-defense is very colorful but the fact is that he traveled from Atlanta with a loaded firearm for which he didn't possess a carry permit for in the state of California and then he assassinates Mr. Burton and attempts to shoot his cousin Will and his friend DJ Shabazz."
The family stated Burton had been a recording artist for several years and that any claim of Burton being a member of a gang was as " far-fetched as Mr. Berry's claim of self-defense."
According to the Associated Press, after hearing the jury's decision, Berry hugged his attorney but was otherwise unemotional after the verdict.
According to the Associated Press, as Burton’s mother, Dayne Robinson left the courtroom along with other members of his family, she cried out, “Oh please, somebody help me.”
Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times
Berry, 23, of Snellville, admitted to firing the shots that killed the young rapper, but pleaded not guilty at trial claiming he shot Burton in self-defense. Berry's attorney, Howard Price, argued that his client and Burton were involved in a confrontation at an Atlanta strip club shortly before the shooting which led Burton and a local gang to threaten his client's life.
By chance both men were at P.F. Chang's China Bistro in the mall on May 18. Berry says he feared Burton was going to make good on his earlier threat when he followed Berry into the valet area of the mall and fired his 9mm weapon.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Grace told the jury that Berry fired eight shots at Burton and members of his entourage; four of which hit Burton -- three in the back -- as he tried to run. Prosecutors alleged that after shooting Burton, Berry drove his car around the dying rapper's body.
Throughout Berry's trial, Price emphasized the fact that Burton — a protégé of hip-hop artist Akon — was a gangster rapper who glorified the violent gangster lifestyle in his rap lyrics. He told the court that his client, a young music promoter, was "distraught" and "scared" after the shooting and "made the mistake of going to the airport" where he was arrested with a gun.
Berry, a college graduate who had no criminal record at the time of his arrest, was acquitted of the murder on Friday. He had been incarcerated since the May 18, 2009 shooting under a $2.1 million bond, which had been lowered from $5 million.
At the time of his arrest, Berry told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "It was a stupid, silly incident that should've never escalated to this point."
In a prepared statement to the press, Burton's family wrote, "There are three victims in this case, none of which is Aubrey Berry. His claim of self-defense is very colorful but the fact is that he traveled from Atlanta with a loaded firearm for which he didn't possess a carry permit for in the state of California and then he assassinates Mr. Burton and attempts to shoot his cousin Will and his friend DJ Shabazz."
The family stated Burton had been a recording artist for several years and that any claim of Burton being a member of a gang was as " far-fetched as Mr. Berry's claim of self-defense."
According to the Associated Press, after hearing the jury's decision, Berry hugged his attorney but was otherwise unemotional after the verdict.
According to the Associated Press, as Burton’s mother, Dayne Robinson left the courtroom along with other members of his family, she cried out, “Oh please, somebody help me.”
Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times
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