'Dolla', an up and coming rapper, used crude lyrics and harsh language to make his lifestyle known. He clearly deified gangs and gang life and he wanted those who enjoyed his music to know that.
However in 2009 Roderick Burton, the young man's real name, was shot. Allegedly he was running away from the gunman in a parking garage. The shooter hit him four times and three of the bullet holes were in his back.
This week the trial of his confessed killer is coming to an end, the jurors are being introduced to two different personalities of Burton. They are forced to try and understand whether or not he was a thug or an entertainer.
The defense for the shooter has attempted to draw a picture of a dangerous thug based on his lyrics and internet videos where he can be seen with other alleged gang members. He is trying to potray Burton as a violent man who was attacking his client. Prosecutors are attempting to show that the gang ties and lyrics are just a front in an industry where that type of music sells.
"What an artist does and what an artist creates does not reflect on reality," Deputy Dist. Atty. Halim Dhanidina told jurors. "The defense is trying to inflame you."
An aggressive defense is the best tool in any case. If you are charged with a crime in the Los Angeles area you need to contact the best attorney available. Robert Michael Helfend will meet with you for a free initial consultation and stand with you through the entire case.