Post by bonhommearmonica on Jan 26, 2015 14:42:17 GMT -6
Rapper Faces Life Sentence Over Album That ‘Promoted’ Gang Violence
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RAPPER COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON FOR GANG CONSPIRACY INVOLVING LYRICS
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Prosecutors do not accuse him of participating directly in any gang violence
A rapper facing life behind bars for the content of a recent album went on CNN Thursday to deny all charges against him, saying he feels law enforcement is, “trying to eradicate black men.”
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The San Diego-based rapper is facing indictment not for violent behavior, but because of a rap album he recorded which features violent imagery and graphic language.
Brandon Duncan, known by the stage name Tiny Doo, was arrested eight months ago for conspiring to benefit from gang activity, CNN reports. Unable to afford $500,000 bail, he has remained in prison for most of that time.
Duncan was charged in connection with a series of 2013 shooting incidents perpetrated by a notorious California gang, the Lincoln Park Bloods. Though prosecutors claim he is associated with the gang, they have not accused Duncan of participating, nor do they claim he had any direct knowledge of the attacks. Rather, he faces indictment under a 2000 California law because he allegedly benefited financially from the gang’s activity through sales of his album, No Safety.
Prosecutors say his album cover—which features a loaded revolver—and some of his lyrics have “direct correlation to what the gang has been doing.” They also say social media messages posted to Duncan’s account prove he’s a gang member.
Duncan denied the claims in the CNN interview. “I go to work every day,” the rapper, who was working in construction at the time of his arrest, said. “How am I benefiting from what someone else is doing? I haven’t sold a million records or anything.”
The rapper has called his music purely artistic fiction. “I said I had a million dollars on a couple of raps, too. Obviously I don’t have that, because I’d be home already,” he told Vice.com in an interview from jail in December. “It’s entertainment. It’s not real.”
Duncan faces nine counts of criminal street gang conspiracy, and will stand trial with 14 other men who prosecutors say increased their stature and respect because of the incidents. The rapper’s lawyer told CNN none of the men are being charged with actually participating.
“They’re going after the person who says the word ‘gun,’ rather than the person who actually used the gun,” the attorney, Brian Watkins, said.
In a statement, the San Diego District Attorney’s office maintained that there is sufficient evidence supporting the defendants’ alleged gang involvement. If the men are found to be active members of the Bloods, they can be held responsible for the actions of other gang members according to California law.
“The focus is holding violent individuals accountable for crimes that terrorized a neighborhood,” spokesman Steve Walker said. “Criminal charges against these defendants were filed appropriately under this specific law, which was put in place by voters to stop deadly gang violence and hold active gang members accountable.”
Duncan’s trial date has been set for Apr. 20.
A rapper facing life behind bars for the content of a recent album went on CNN Thursday to deny all charges against him, saying he feels law enforcement is, “trying to eradicate black men.”
MORE
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'It's Going to Pack a Punch': Historic Blizzard Bears Down on Northeast NBC News
Live Updates: Airport Delays, Road Closures and More NBC News
Neither Snow Nor Sleet: On the Job in A Blizzard NBC News
The San Diego-based rapper is facing indictment not for violent behavior, but because of a rap album he recorded which features violent imagery and graphic language.
Brandon Duncan, known by the stage name Tiny Doo, was arrested eight months ago for conspiring to benefit from gang activity, CNN reports. Unable to afford $500,000 bail, he has remained in prison for most of that time.
Duncan was charged in connection with a series of 2013 shooting incidents perpetrated by a notorious California gang, the Lincoln Park Bloods. Though prosecutors claim he is associated with the gang, they have not accused Duncan of participating, nor do they claim he had any direct knowledge of the attacks. Rather, he faces indictment under a 2000 California law because he allegedly benefited financially from the gang’s activity through sales of his album, No Safety.
Prosecutors say his album cover—which features a loaded revolver—and some of his lyrics have “direct correlation to what the gang has been doing.” They also say social media messages posted to Duncan’s account prove he’s a gang member.
Duncan denied the claims in the CNN interview. “I go to work every day,” the rapper, who was working in construction at the time of his arrest, said. “How am I benefiting from what someone else is doing? I haven’t sold a million records or anything.”
The rapper has called his music purely artistic fiction. “I said I had a million dollars on a couple of raps, too. Obviously I don’t have that, because I’d be home already,” he told Vice.com in an interview from jail in December. “It’s entertainment. It’s not real.”
Duncan faces nine counts of criminal street gang conspiracy, and will stand trial with 14 other men who prosecutors say increased their stature and respect because of the incidents. The rapper’s lawyer told CNN none of the men are being charged with actually participating.
“They’re going after the person who says the word ‘gun,’ rather than the person who actually used the gun,” the attorney, Brian Watkins, said.
In a statement, the San Diego District Attorney’s office maintained that there is sufficient evidence supporting the defendants’ alleged gang involvement. If the men are found to be active members of the Bloods, they can be held responsible for the actions of other gang members according to California law.
“The focus is holding violent individuals accountable for crimes that terrorized a neighborhood,” spokesman Steve Walker said. “Criminal charges against these defendants were filed appropriately under this specific law, which was put in place by voters to stop deadly gang violence and hold active gang members accountable.”
Duncan’s trial date has been set for Apr. 20.
and
RAPPER COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON FOR GANG CONSPIRACY INVOLVING LYRICS
San Diego-based rapper Tiny Doo could receive 25 years to life in prison for violent lyrics in his album No Safety, from which prosecutors allege he directly benefited as a result of criminal gang violence.
Doo, whose real name is Brandon Duncan, appeared on CNN Thursday night in an interview with Don Lemon, in which he maintained that the charges against him are false. He promoted his album during the live interview and said his lyrics merely “paint a picture of urban street life.”
Duncan, 32, and 14 other co-defendants were charged with nine counts of criminal street gang conspiracy involving nine local shootings and attempted murder starting in May of 2013. Duncan could get 25 years to life in prison if convicted under a 2000 California statute that will likely be receiving much more air time as a result of this case.
Under California Penal Code 182.5, it is considered a felony for anyone to participate in a criminal street gang, to have knowledge that a street gang has engaged in criminal activities, or to promote, assist, or benefit from that activity. In Duncan’s case, the last part of that clause–benefiting from criminal activity–is why prosecutors are after him, notes CNN.
The issue lies in the fact that Duncan allegedly saw an increase in album sales and an elevation in stature and respect (“street creds”) following the series of shootings which began in San Diego in 2013. Prosecutors are charging that Duncan directly benefited from this because his street gang received greater notoriety after the shootings, which resulted in his album receiving a large increase in sales.
Duncan, who is a father to seven children, insists that he is no longer a gang member. The prosecution suggests otherwise. At a preliminary hearing, they had presented posts from social media that they insist prove Duncan is still in a gang. During his CNN interview, Duncan also said he had no knowledge of the gang’s activities or attempted murders. His case marks the first time the law has been enforced in a criminal case.
Some of the lyrics on No Safety include, “You can get a full clip, my n—– ’bout to bull—-, and make your top disappear like an illusionist.” The cover of his album features a revolver and bullets.
When asked, at the end of the interview, if he would continue rapping, Duncan said, “These people have you scared to do anything around here,” to which Lemon said, “Yeah” and chuckled in agreement. Duncan then cited free speech and said that he felt the prosecutors were not attempting to eradicate gangs with the procedure of his case, but, instead, they were “trying to eradicate black men.”
Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter: @adellenaz.
Doo, whose real name is Brandon Duncan, appeared on CNN Thursday night in an interview with Don Lemon, in which he maintained that the charges against him are false. He promoted his album during the live interview and said his lyrics merely “paint a picture of urban street life.”
Duncan, 32, and 14 other co-defendants were charged with nine counts of criminal street gang conspiracy involving nine local shootings and attempted murder starting in May of 2013. Duncan could get 25 years to life in prison if convicted under a 2000 California statute that will likely be receiving much more air time as a result of this case.
Under California Penal Code 182.5, it is considered a felony for anyone to participate in a criminal street gang, to have knowledge that a street gang has engaged in criminal activities, or to promote, assist, or benefit from that activity. In Duncan’s case, the last part of that clause–benefiting from criminal activity–is why prosecutors are after him, notes CNN.
The issue lies in the fact that Duncan allegedly saw an increase in album sales and an elevation in stature and respect (“street creds”) following the series of shootings which began in San Diego in 2013. Prosecutors are charging that Duncan directly benefited from this because his street gang received greater notoriety after the shootings, which resulted in his album receiving a large increase in sales.
Duncan, who is a father to seven children, insists that he is no longer a gang member. The prosecution suggests otherwise. At a preliminary hearing, they had presented posts from social media that they insist prove Duncan is still in a gang. During his CNN interview, Duncan also said he had no knowledge of the gang’s activities or attempted murders. His case marks the first time the law has been enforced in a criminal case.
Some of the lyrics on No Safety include, “You can get a full clip, my n—– ’bout to bull—-, and make your top disappear like an illusionist.” The cover of his album features a revolver and bullets.
When asked, at the end of the interview, if he would continue rapping, Duncan said, “These people have you scared to do anything around here,” to which Lemon said, “Yeah” and chuckled in agreement. Duncan then cited free speech and said that he felt the prosecutors were not attempting to eradicate gangs with the procedure of his case, but, instead, they were “trying to eradicate black men.”
Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter: @adellenaz.
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