Closing arguments in the murder trial of rapper Corey "C-Murder" Miller were halted today, when the state 5th Circuit of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that a judge cannot keep prosecutors from telling jurors that Miller could be innocent of second degree murder.
Prosecutors said that jurors should be informed that Miller could be guilty of manslaughter for the role he allegedly played in the beating of 16-year-old Steve Thomas in a Jefferson Parish nightclub.
The second degree murder charges carry a mandatory life sentence, while the lesser charge of manslaughter could put Miller behind bars for up to 40 years.
Two prosecution witnesses claim they saw Miller shoot Thomas after an argument between the two, while the defense presented several witnesses who gave conflicting testimony and claimed they saw Miller in different parts of the club.
Miller's defense attorney Ronald J. Rokosky said that Jefferson Parish police could only produce two witnesses who saw Miller shoot Thomas despite there being over 150 people in the club.
Prosecutors said that jurors should be informed that Miller could be guilty of manslaughter for the role he allegedly played in the beating of 16-year-old Steve Thomas in a Jefferson Parish nightclub.
The second degree murder charges carry a mandatory life sentence, while the lesser charge of manslaughter could put Miller behind bars for up to 40 years.
Two prosecution witnesses claim they saw Miller shoot Thomas after an argument between the two, while the defense presented several witnesses who gave conflicting testimony and claimed they saw Miller in different parts of the club.
Miller's defense attorney Ronald J. Rokosky said that Jefferson Parish police could only produce two witnesses who saw Miller shoot Thomas despite there being over 150 people in the club.
