I just got word that not only is the jury still deliberating the Murder Inc. case, but they are asking for more docs, and the foreman who is supervising the jury hinted that the verdict "could go either way."
OK, now the drama begins. We all knew Diddy would beat his old case, and that Lil Kim would take a hit on hers. But this case really does feel like it could swing in any direction.
I've pointed out all the holes in the prosecution's evidence, however the defense didn't do much of a job in changing the negative perception the jury may have had of Irv and Chris Lorenzo. Facts are supposed to rule, but we all know juries can be emotional and forget about reasonable doubt.
At yesterday's closing arguments it looked more like an awards show than a federal trial. There were cameos from Jay-Z, Dame Dash, Ja Rule and Ashanti, J. Prince of Rap-A-Lot, Russell Simmons, and others. I know all these dudes are friends to Irv Gotti, but it gave me the feeling that something bigger is at stake in this case.
Yesterday the Murder Inc. trial's defense team was denied use of their "brand new" evidence. Read all the details on SOHH proper.
One statement by the judge struck me. Peep:
"This murderer and druglord was admittedly involved with your client," Judge Korman sternly said to Shargel of Supreme as he pounded his hand against the podium. "That's a fact."
As I've said many times, Irv and Chris chose to present themselves as gangstas, and they have to deal with those consequences. However, the law is supposed to applied fairly to everyone, and no man should be counted guilty by association.
SOHH reports the prosecution in The Murder Inc. trial is expected to wrap up their case today. Also the defense promises to present some new evidence with witness Donell Nichols re-taking the stand.
I'm not trying to be too pro-Murder Inc. on this blog, however the case against Irv and Chris seems pretty weak at this point, and new evidence probably won't be needed.
Finally the prosecution comes out with some hard numbers against Irv and Chris Gotti Lorenzo. SOHH reports that the prosecution presented evidence that Supreme was taking expensive trips under a fake name on the Murder Inc. tab, while the company was receiving large sums of unexplained cash deposited in their bank accounts.
It's hard to sayif this proves the money was coming from Preme and being laundered through Murder Inc, however with that large of a sum of money exchanging hands, something illegal was going on.
Today SOHH reports that much of yesterday's evidence came from text messages sent to and from Irv's cell phone.
OK, this case is officially bananas.
Read the latest on SOHH about the prosecution's theory that the Supreme/Murder Inc. connection was in appreciation for Preme having 50 Cent shot. They say the shooter is Robert "Sun" Lyons, even though the popular theory put out there by 50 is that Darryl "Hommo" Baum shot him.
Follow? OK, cool.
The prosecution plans to prove their theory by putting Sun on the witness stand. Of course he'll plead the 5th and not answer any questions. What else can he do?
The prosecution will also call convicted criminal Jon Ragin, a former business partner of Supreme. What will this third party person testify? Probably something about how he heard Preme tell Sun to kill 50, and it wasn't really Hommo who did the shooting, and all this was months before Murder Inc. artist Blackchild stabbed Mr. Cent in a studio.
Still follow? Nope, me neither.
The prosecutions's star witness and former crime partner of Supreme.
SOHH reports that even though the judge agreed that there can be no mention of the shooting of You-Know-Who, his name was brought up anyway, in order to prove motive for why Murder Inc. would allow Preme to launder money through them.
Regular readers of SOHH Blogs know that because of the out of control comments he generates, we no longer mention So-And-So unless we absoulutely have to.
(However, we sure do appreciate all of the advertising his management buys on the site. As Kanye says- I ain't trying to mess up my promotion!)
Jon Ragin, is a former partner of Supreme's Picture Perfect production company which produced the straight to DVD film "Crime Partners."
Got this note from a birdie who's been following the trail closely:
What came out of the opening arguments today is pretty clear- The pillars of the case are Donell Nichols and Dalu.This is pathetic, to say the least. Nichols was never even an employee at Murder Inc. (he was an intern) and Phil "Dalu" Banks' only real connection is to Supreme, not Irv and Chris. Like many informants, Dalu has a long criminal record but what's particularly damaging about Dalu is his conviction for perjury.
Opening statements were made in the trial today and SOHH reports:
"The defense also attempted to poke holes in the credibility of the prosecution's star witness, Phil Banks. They painted him as a repeat offender who has been convicted of both sexual assault and attempted assault with a firearm. He was also convicted of perjury, but cooperated when he got arrested and had to return to prison."
Phil Banks???
SOHH reports today that the Murder Inc. trial has been postponed again due to a surprise witness coming forward to testify. The dude's name is Donnell Nichols, and he claims to be a former employee of Murder Inc. who handled some type of money matters.
My guess is Nichols will say something like he's taken dirty money from Supreme and used at Murder Inc., then gave it back to Preme. If that happens, then it's money laundering, plain and simple.
Recent Comments