C-Murder Convicted Of Murder

08/12/09 2:13pm

by Bianca Marcus (CHARTattack)

Corey "C-Murder" Miller was found guilty of second-degree murder on Tuesday.

Miller was originally convicted of second-degree murder in 2003 for shooting 16-year-old fan Steve Thomas to death during a dispute at Harvey, La. nightspot Club Platinum in 2002. Miller was found guilty in 2003 and was imprisoned for three years.

But that verdict was overturned in Louisiana Supreme Court after it was found that prosecutors had expunged the criminal backgrounds of several witnesses in an attempt to increase their credibility.

Tuesday's verdict came seven years after the teenaged fan's death, who would have turned 23 this year. Miller changed his stage name to the less obvious "C-Miller" following the incident.

"I'm not rejoicing. I feel bad for [Miller's] family," George Thomas, the father of the victim, told MTV News.

"But at least they can see him. What have we got but a gravesite and a photograph?"

The New Orleans jury reached their final verdict of 10-2 on Tuesday, 24 hours after beginning their deliberations. They had reached the same decision earlier that day, but were ordered by District Judge Hans Liljeberg to continue deliberation due to a questionable vote.

The judge initially warned that the verdict could be invalid, claiming one juror had changed her vote simply to end the lengthy deliberations. Under Louisiana law, at least 10 jurors must agree for a verdict to be valid. The judge also denied a defense motion for a mistrial.

Miller has been sentenced to life in prison. His sentencing schedule will be decided this Friday.

In a separate case, Miller was charged with multiple counts of attempted second-degree murder following a 2001 incident at a Baton Rouge club, where the rapper and brother to Master P pulled a gun on a bouncer and the owner of Club Raggs.

According to police, Miller took out a gun and attempted to shoot owner Norman Sparrow, but the weapon jammed. Miller fled the scene and was later arrested.

CCTV footage of the attempted shooting can be seen here.

Earlier this year, Miller pleaded no contest to the attempted murder charges and received 10 years in prison plus credit for time served.