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A first degree murder charge has been reinstated against Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rapper Cassidy.
A judge overturned an earlier, lower court’s decision that Cassidy could only be tried for no more than third-degree murder.
Prosecutors accuse the rapper of masterminding a shooting behind his row home in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia.
Cassidy and Desmond Hawkins, 22, were involved in a dispute at a Rite Aid drug store earlier in the day on April 15, 2005.
When the men showed up at Cassidy’s house to “make peace,” prosecutors claim Cassidy directed them to the back, where the men where ambushed.
Hawkins was fatally wounded, while Daniel Irvin, 22, and Bobby Hoyle, 21, suffered serious injuries, but have since recovered.
The rapper surrendered the authorities in the middle of June, almost a week before the June 28 release of his sophomore effort, I'm a Hustla.
Hoyle has testified that he lied to detectives when he claimed to have seen Cassidy firing a weapon. He also testified detectives coached him through his statement.
Hoyle told authorities he and the other two men were unarmed at the time of the shooting, but recently revealed ballistics evidence revealed that at least 12 shots came from inside of the van.
The evidence also revealed four guns were fired into the van from four other points, but Cassidy is the only person charged in the case so far.
The judge that delivered the ruling stated that a trial judge or a jury must rule what the appropriate degree of murder would be in the case.
Cassidy’s defense is looking to capitalize on the weakness of the evidence and stated he was ready to go to trial immediately.
"Everyone should be afforded a fair opportunity for a speedy trial, especially when there's overwhelming evidence of innocence, as there is in this case," Cassidy’s Lawyer Fortunato Perri said.
Cassidy faces the death penalty in the most extreme scenario and could be sentenced to at least 20 years in prison.
Source: allhiphop.com
A judge overturned an earlier, lower court’s decision that Cassidy could only be tried for no more than third-degree murder.
Prosecutors accuse the rapper of masterminding a shooting behind his row home in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia.
Cassidy and Desmond Hawkins, 22, were involved in a dispute at a Rite Aid drug store earlier in the day on April 15, 2005.
When the men showed up at Cassidy’s house to “make peace,” prosecutors claim Cassidy directed them to the back, where the men where ambushed.
Hawkins was fatally wounded, while Daniel Irvin, 22, and Bobby Hoyle, 21, suffered serious injuries, but have since recovered.
The rapper surrendered the authorities in the middle of June, almost a week before the June 28 release of his sophomore effort, I'm a Hustla.
Hoyle has testified that he lied to detectives when he claimed to have seen Cassidy firing a weapon. He also testified detectives coached him through his statement.
Hoyle told authorities he and the other two men were unarmed at the time of the shooting, but recently revealed ballistics evidence revealed that at least 12 shots came from inside of the van.
The evidence also revealed four guns were fired into the van from four other points, but Cassidy is the only person charged in the case so far.
The judge that delivered the ruling stated that a trial judge or a jury must rule what the appropriate degree of murder would be in the case.
Cassidy’s defense is looking to capitalize on the weakness of the evidence and stated he was ready to go to trial immediately.
"Everyone should be afforded a fair opportunity for a speedy trial, especially when there's overwhelming evidence of innocence, as there is in this case," Cassidy’s Lawyer Fortunato Perri said.
Cassidy faces the death penalty in the most extreme scenario and could be sentenced to at least 20 years in prison.
Source: allhiphop.com