Trill Ent. Managers Held Without Bond, Lil Boosie A Murder Suspect

Written by HipHopRX Denise on May 18th, 2009 in Hip-Hop Justice, People - U.S., Lil Boosie, Hip Hop, Music News, Hip-Hop Rumors, News.

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Photo of rapper Lil Boosie
On last week, hip hop artist Lil Boosie born Torrance Hatch was released from jail after posting a bail of $400,000. As previously reported, the rapper was jailed for allegedly assaulting someone at his Louisiana home which resulted in the rapper being arrested and detained in custody.

Lil Boosie was accused of assaulting a man whom he accused of stealing his jewelry which resulted in Lil Boosie allegedly smashing the victim with a vase during a fight.

The rapper was arrested and taken in to custody more than a week later and charged with second degree battery.

Since being released, HipHopRX.com has learned that Lil Boosie has been named a possible suspect in the murder of Baton Rouge rapper Chris “Nussie” Jackson who was killed in February.

Reportedly, FBI agent Antony Jung testified that the FBI had received information that Baton Rouge rapper and Trill recording artist, Torrence “Lil Boosie” Hatch may have played a role in the February shooting of Chris “Nussie” Jackson.

Reportedly, Jung stated that the bureau received information that rapper Lil Boosie (Hatch) had placed a $30,000 bounty on Chris “Nussie” Jackson’s head.

Meanwhile, Trill Entertainment managers Melvin Vernell Jr., of Baton Rouge, and Marcus Roach, of Prairieville, are currently being held in East Baton Rouge Parish Jail in connection with the shooting and attempted murder of rapper Bruce “Beelow” Moore which dates back to July 4, 2005.

District Judge Mike Erwin is expected to make his decision Monday as to whether the two are entitled to bond.

Prosecutors are trying to keep the two managers held in jail until they are tried on all charges, claiming that the two are a threat to witnesses and flight risks.

When the two were initially arrested in 2005 for the shooting of Moore, they were charged with attempted second-degree murder, armed robbery and illegal use of weapons. The two were released on $50,000 bond and the case was dropped one year later.

In May 8, 2009, prosecutors filed a new bill against the two charging them with attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, aggravated battery, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of an illegal firearm by a convicted felon, all in connection with the shooting of Moore who survived being shot twice in the face in front of his own business, Shop Smart Music and Fashion.

The defense attorneys plan to fight the prosecutors against blocking Vernell and Roach’s bail citing that the Trill Entertainment managers are “no threat to the community” and are respectable businessmen.

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One Response to “Trill Ent. Managers Held Without Bond, Lil Boosie A Murder Suspect”

trill Says:
December 19th, 2009 at 12:54 am
Shooting suspects cite polygraphs
By JOE GYAN JR.
Advocate staff writer
Published: Nov 12, 2009 - Page: 5B
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Attorneys for two local rap music executives accused of trying to kill a Baton Rouge rapper in 2005 say their clients have passed polygraph tests.

Lewis Unglesby, who represents Marcus Roach, is asking a state judge to reduce Roach’s $350,000 bond and ease other restrictions placed on him.

James Manasseh, who is defending fellow Trill Entertainment manager Melvin Vernell Jr., said Wednesday he intends to file a similar motion on Vernell’s behalf this week.

Unglesby contends the results of an Oct. 23 polygraph exam are a strong indication that the weight of the evidence against Roach is “minimal’’ if not “non-existent.’’

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III, who was out of town Wednesday and said he had not seen Unglesby’s motion, nevertheless stressed that he would have to question the polygraph.

“We have a very strong case,’’ he added without elaborating.

Roach and Vernell face multiple charges in the July 4, 2005, shooting of rapper Bruce “Beelow’’ Moore in front of Shop Smart Music and Fashion, a store he owned on North Sherwood Forest Drive.

Moore survived the shooting.

Roach and Vernell both posted $350,000 property bonds earlier this year and are being electronically monitored by ankle bracelets.

State District Judge Mike Erwin gave Vernell, of Baton Rouge, and Roach, of Prairieville, permission in September to move to Atlanta.

Prosecutors initially charged Roach and Vernell in September 2005 with attempted second-degree murder, armed robbery and illegal use of weapons in Moore’s shooting, but the charges were dropped a year later at the request of witnesses.

Prosecutors filed a new bill of information against the two men in May, charging them with attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, aggravated battery, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of an illegal firearm by a convicted felon.

“We’re confident that the first decision to dismiss was correct,’’ Unglesby said Wednesday.

In a motion filed Tuesday for reduction of Roach’s bail bond, Unglesby says polygraph tests that Roach and Vernell passed were administered by James R. Johnson III, an independent licensed polygraph examiner who also serves on the Louisiana State Polygraph Board.

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled in 1979 that polygraph results are inadmissible at a criminal trial on the merits. The high court, though, said such results have been admitted in a number of preliminary and post-trial criminal proceedings, including sentencing hearings, probation hearings, and motions to suppress.

Roach and Vernell are due back in Erwin’s courtroom in mid-December for a motion hearing. Their trial is set for March 8.