Two convicted killers have been recording rap videos from behind the walls of a Tennessee penitentiary.
Some of these songs reference violence, and one of the videos seems to show drug use.
The I-Team uncovered at least seven rap videos and at least 90 songs posted online on at least four different websites by Lavino Horne and Leterpa Mosley.
While these would-be rap stars make cell phone videos in their cell, it was another kind of video that helped put these guys away five years ago.
Prosecutors say Horne, Mosley and another man were caught on surveillance video approaching University of Memphis student Tederrial Hancock’s car. Another piece of video shows Horne and Mosley running away.
Minutes later, a police officer found 19-year-old Hancock dead outside a public library, hit by seven bullets.
Prosecutors say the motive was twofold: robbery and a love triangle.
Co-defendant Charles McClain and the victim had both dated the same woman, and the victim was known to carry cash.
Mosley and Horne spent 14 months in the same cell, and they found the freedom to make music together, post it online and use social media to try to market it to labels.
The case against Horne and Mosley hinged largely on the testimony of a friend turned informant, and gang investigators noticed a theme in the songs the I-Team uncovered.
“It seemed to be sending a clear message saying, snitches die,” Carter said.
State prison records show correctional officers have caught Mosley and Horne with contraband phones three times.
And, according to state records, Mosley’s punishment for getting caught with a phone was first a $5 fine, then a $4 fine.
After officers found a smartphone hidden in the duo’s cell in September, Horne’s Facebook page disappeared, and many of the duo’s videos went with it.
But Horne was back online with a new profile just a few weeks later.
Both Horne and Mosley have appealed their murder convictions and have maintained their innocence in court.
The I-Team has learned the two men are no longer cellmates.
State prison records show Mosley was moved to another prison in October.
The I-Team asked the state Department of Correction what its policy is regarding co-defendants in a murder sharing cells.
In a statement, a spokesperson said, “Facility and cell assignments are very complicated processes that involve many factors, including security level, programming needed, age of offender, investigative needs, job assignment and many other factors.”
As for the contents of all those songs, the Department of Correction will only say that both inmates are under investigation.
Speak On It!