murder inc. trial, day-by-day summary (guilty/innocent poll included)

[rtyfghvbn]

to be honest, i'm not all that enthused or interested in this trial whatsoever. however, i figure at least SOME people on this board must be, so i'll post this shit up for you.

i already had another thread open which had the day i summary, but i figured, seeing as how this trial is going to take much more than a couple days, it would probably be best just to keep one thread open, with new posts each time the trial progresses.

i also added a poll in this one. vote what you think the outcome of the trial will be.

lastly, i'm not trying to take credit for these summaries. i didn't write them - i admit that i got them from another source (rapgodfathers.com). nonetheless, enjoy.

day i (11.17.05):

Day one of the Murder Inc. trial was ended with confusion, contradictions and controversial statements as the prosecution called its star witnesses. One particularly astonishing statement even made Ja Rule laugh out loud in the Brooklyn Federal Courtroom. In an attempt to establish a connection between convicted drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff and Murder Inc. CEO Irv Lorenzo (aka Irv Gotti), Prosecutor Sean Haran called their star witness Phillip Banks to the stand. Banks, who has two felony convictions to his name, is currently incarcerated on pending racketeering charges. He faces a sentence of life in prison.

When Banks was detained on his recent charges in February 2005, he reportedly told the police that he was willing to do anything to avoid going back to prison. He then began to have numerous conversations with federal agents about McGriff.

While he had no problem going into great detail about his former boss McGriff, at that time he stated that the only thing he knew about Lorenzo was that he was intern for Def Jam Records. According to defense attorney Gerald Lefcourt, it wasn't until agents told Banks in October that if he "pleased the prosecution, they would see what they could do" that Banks suddenly began to provide details about Lorenzo.

Lefcourt then asked Banks if his story was still "evolving." Banks simply replied, "Yeah." Ja Rule found that to be quite amusing. However, Banks' sudden surge of honesty didn't stop there. When asked by the defense if he would lie about Lorenzo in order to get released from jail, Banks responded "yes."

Throughout his testimony, Banks appeared to be visibly shaken. He constantly looked down and was repeatedly asked to speak up. According to Banks, they made as much as $100,000 a day during a five-year span in the mid 80's. "That's just the way it was," he stated. "He [McGriff] was the boss and I was right under him". At one point, Banks testified to attempting to kill an ex-girlfriend of Supreme's after she refused to abort his baby.

Banks initially testified that he first met Lorenzo in 1994. He stated that on two occasions he gave the then aspiring music mogul money on behalf of McGriff. However, when Lefcourt cross-examined Banks, he said that he met Lorenzo when he was at Def Jam Records. The defense then told the court that Lorenzo did not join the label until 1997; three years after Banks said he met him.

Banks then retracted his statement, saying he could be wrong about where Lorenzo was employed at the time because he was not that familiar with the music business at the time.

Lefcourt then began discrediting Banks' other statements. When asked if he was testifying only to please the prosecution, Banks replied, "No, I just want to please me... Honestly, I don't trust either one of y'all."

Another hole was poked in the prosecution's theory when Banks said that McGriff was broke when he was released from prison in 2004. It was pointed out that since Banks was imprisoned from 1997 to 2004 and he admitted that hadn't spoken to Supreme since 1997, that his testimony was questionable. The defense summarized that Banks was working with information that was minimally eight years old.

The prosecution also called a local Maryland cabdriver Jesus "Rico" Romano. Romano testified to providing transportation for McGriff from Maryland to New York at a rate of $150 per trip, knowingly transporting drugs and drug money for McGriff's Supreme Team. On one occasion he even recalls driving McGriff from Maryland straight to Murder Inc headquarters with a black bag full of money in the back seat of the car.

Earlier in the day, both the prosecution and defense presented their opening arguments while Ja Rule, Ashanti, friends and other family members of the Lorenzos looked on.

Meanwhile, SOHH.com has learned that the pillars of the prosecution's case are witnesses Donell Nichols and Dalu. Nichols is said by the prosecution to be a former Murder Inc employee who handled cash transactions for the label, while Dalu was an associate of McGriff's.

However, according to SOHH sources, Nichols was never a paid employee at Murder Inc. -- he was an intern -- and Dalu's only real connection is to Supreme, not Lorenzo brothers.

"It's going to hurt some people to see Dalu testify not only against the Lorenzos but mostly against 'Preme," said one source. "Many in the hood doubt he'll have the nerve to do it when the time comes. Prior to his latest arrest he was selling faux crack cocaine in the hood."

Our sources also tell us that like many informants, Dalu has a long criminal record, including a conviction for perjury.

Nichols is expected to take the stand today.

 

[rtyfghvbn]

day ii (11.18.05)

Day two of the Murder Inc money laundering trial began as the Donell Nichols show, but that all changed when 50 Cent's name was uttered.

After their attorneys spent hours destroying Nichols' credibility, Irving and Chris Lorenzo looked to be in a good position. After all it has only taken defense attorneys Gerald Shargel and Gerald Lefcourt two days to totally discredit both of the prosecution's star witnesses.
After fumbling through his testimony during the morning of day two, Nichols continued to discredit himself when the trial resumed. On the stand, Nichols testified that he owned a key to Chris Lorenzo's private safe after only one month of an internship and no prior relationship with either one of the Lorenzo brothers.

Nichols also claimed that he was promised ten percent of all checks made out to Chris Lorenzo and Murder Inc after being an intern at the label for less then two months. Although, no one in the courtroom seemed to believe this statement, it did provide some comical relief in the courtroom.

While Nichols' testimony served as another setback for the prosecution, they did score a major victory when Judge Edward Korman said he would allow them to question witnesses about Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff's involvement in the shooting of 50 Cent. Initially, Judge Korman said that the prosecution would not be allowed to mention the 2000 incident. Korman said he would allow the questioning because it shows a motive for the Lorenzos' alleged money laundering.

With the jury removed, prosecutors introduced several numerous text messages sent from McGriff to Irv in regards to the shooting of 50 Cent. The prosecution stressed that the evidence would be able to prove that the shooting of 50 Cent was a return favor from McGriff to the Murder Inc family for laundering his money.

The defense immediately objected, and a series of delays and sidebar conversations, lasting well over two hours, caused slight confusion in the courtroom.

After hours of deliberation, Judge Korman finally agreed that the prosecution's claims had merit and will be allowed in court.

This revelation also brings a strong possibility that in the weeks to come 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) maybe subpoenaed to take the stand.

 

[Shot 21]

Thanks man keep us posted.

 

[rtyfghvbn]

day iii (11.21.05)

Day three of Murder Inc. money laundering trial got off to a confusing start today as prosecutors and defense attorneys argued over the relevance of text messaged conversations between Irv Lorenzo "Gotti" and Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff.

Irv Lorenzo, wearing a navy blue suit and tie with a baby blue shirt, And his brother Chris Lorenzo, sporting a beige suit with a navy blue tie and white striped shirt, both arrived to the courtroom early. Meanwhile, Ja Rule didn't show up for the first time since the trial began and Black Child walked into the court room close to noon.

The day started out as the prosecution and defense approached the bench and engaged in 15 minutes of back and forth discussion with Judge Edward Korman over one particular text message allegedly from Irv Gotti to McGriff. For 10 to 15 minutes, the two sides debated about a message in which Irv Gotti wrote, "I love the shit out of you." The defense contends the note was written to Gotti's wife. However, prosecutors claimed it was sent by Irv to McGriff - a "thank you" of sorts for the shooting of 50 Cent.

Prosecutor Sean Haran went further, arguing that "there's absolutely no doubt that Supreme shot 50 Cent that morning" and that Gotti's message shows he was pleased by the incident. Both sides acknowledged that there was no way of proving that Irv sent or received the message.

Prosecutor Carolyn Borkony then called New York Police Department detective Anthony Castiglia to the stand. Last Wednesday, defense attorney Gerald Shargelaccused Donell Nichols of lying by showing that $70,000 in denominations of fives and tens could not fit into a shoe box. During his testimony, the 20-year police veteran said he conducted his own experiment this weekend by stuffing 7,400 one dollar bills into an Adidas shoe box in order to prove that the sum could amount to well over $70,000 if the bills had been fives and tens.

Castiglia also showed a range of shoe box sizes, including a Timberland shoe box, to demonstrate that the box Nichols referred to could have been bigger than the one used in Shargel's demonstration.

In his cross-examination, Shargel asked Detective Castiglia whether he was guessing the size of the shoe box. After further probing from Shargel, the detective admitted that everybody was guessing the denomination and size of the shoe box was uncertain, but that considering "the standard urban attire," drug dealers were more likely to wear sneakers or construction boots rather then dress-up shoes, which provided the box in last Thursday's cross-examination.

The federal prosecutors then called Jon Ragin to testify. Ragin, is a former partner of McGriff's Picture Perfect Entertainment and has previously been convicted of credit card fraud and possession of a controlled substance. He is presently facing between 87 to 108 months in prison and agreed to talk with the feds in exchange for leniency. Ragin confirmed that Preme funded his straight-to-DVD movie Crime Partners using drug proceeds.

Prosecutor Barkony then attempted to bring up the 50 shooting, which prompted an immediate objection from the defense. Judge Korman then called for a recess.

Outside the courtroom, Shargel abruptly commented to reporters about the case saying he didn't want the 50 shooting to be included in the trial because "it has no relevance in this case."

 

[rtyfghvbn]

closing statements (12.01.05)

Attorneys finished their closing arguments today (Nov. 30) in the federal money laundering trial of The Inc.'s Irving and Christopher Lorenzo.

Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, Def Jam President Jay-Z, artists Ja Rule and Ashanti sat together, while Terror Squad's Fat Joe grabbed a seat in the back of the court to watch the proceedings.
Assistant District Attorneys Carolyn Pokorny and Sean Haran gave closing arguments to jurors, claiming the brothers laundered drug money on behalf of convicted Queens, New York drug dealer, Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff.

Prosecutors claim Irv Lorenzo started The Inc. with drug money provided by McGriff.

Simmons, who could be seen kissing his Mala beads during today's proceedings, dismissed accusations that The Inc. was funded with McGriff's dirty money.

"Irv was the best thing to happen to Def Jam," Simmons told AllHipHop.com shortly after court. "I funded his company and he has been a constant source of strength for Def Jam. I am just praying that we spend money reforming or convicting the criminals that are in our communities, and less time and resources chasing the poets and artists who are conscious of and speak about the suffering of the masses."

The government disagrees with Simmons and charges the brothers with helping McGriff launder cash in shoe boxes and shopping bags.

During closing arguments, Pokorny labeled McGriff one of the "baddest, most dangerous drug lords in New York City." She then asked if it would be possible for them to be unaware what their “close friend did for a living."

She then held up a gun, bags of crack and pointed to a chart that listed numerous checks written to McGriff, expenses McGriff incurred and then paid for by The Inc., $65,000 in two separate checks to McGriff's company Picture Perfect and free songs from Jay-Z for the "Crime Partners" soundtrack.

The government alleges that in return, the brothers wrote thousands in checks to companies controlled by McGriff, including Picture Perfect, which McGriff owned with government witness Jon Ragin.

McGriff is facing the death penalty in a March 2006 racketeering and murder trial. McGriff is accused of two drug-related homicides in Baltimore, Maryland and the revenge slaying of rapper Eric "E Money Bags" Smith.

During the trial, Ragin testified that McGriff had conspired to shoot rapper 50 Cent, over the song "Ghetto Quran" and 50 Cent's name checking of McGriff on the track. McGriff was also allegedly unhappy with 50's various taunts aimed at The Inc.'s artist, Ja Rule.

Ragin claimed McGriff hired Ja Rule's bodyguard Robert "Sun" Lyons to carry out a hit on 50 Cent, who was shot nine times in May 2000.

While jurors didn't hear the testimony and Judge Edward Korman would later bar testimony related to 50 Cent's shooting, the claim opened up the door to the possibility that 50 Cent himself may have to testify in McGriff's federal trial in March of 2006.

During closing arguments, Pokorny pointed to various text messages, including one from Chris asking McGriff "what's up with that paper."

She also stated that McGriff's drug dealing gang "invaded" The Inc. and afforded the label protection.

Pokorny stated Chris was "swimming in cash that cannot be explained by legitimate income."

Gerald Shargel then started his closing arguments stating "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt..is she kidding?" Shargel accused the government of taking liberties with the meanings of various text messages.

An animated Shargel also argued that there was nothing illegal in giving financial backing to a movie, referring to two checks cut to McGriff's Picture Perfect Films.

"They are interpreting all of this through dirty glasses," Shargel told the jury.

Shargel said the prosecutors despised the relationship between McGriff, Irv and Chris, but "that doesn't make it a criminal relationship."

He argued that the Lorenzo's legally and legitimately paid for McGriff's travel in 2002, as he was to enter prison. Shargel claimed McGriff was actually broke.

Shargel pointed out that McGriff had no money to launder and stated "if I'm paying for travel, it's Jet Blue."

The government's witnesses were then taken to task as Shargel aimed at their credibility.

Shargel pointed out several inconsistencies between statements given by government witnesses Phillip Banks and Donnell Nichols.

He noted that Banks was a former Supreme Team Member and a convicted perjurer, who was incarcerated from 1997 until 2004.

Banks claimed McGriff brought bags of cash into the office in the mid-90's and that McGriff bought Irv production equipment.

Shargel labeled Donnell Nichols a serial liar. Nichols admitted to working at The Inc. for just six months and only came forward after he saw an MTV News report.

Gerald Lefcourt then gave closing arguments on behalf of the Lorenzo's, stating over 50 agents raided The Inc.'s 8th Ave offices.

"They were desperate to prove what they announced to the world," before telling the jury the publicity was "a casting call for the government to make their case."

Lefcourt told the jury McGriff was so broke, he sold pornographic pictures to inmates using the name Picture Perfect after he was freed from prison.

Lefcourt reiterated that the Lorenzo's two checks, one for $50,00 and one for $15,000, were legitimate investments. He told the jury the government's case was based on "guess work."

"We don't destroy young lives based on guess work," Lefcourt yelled to the jury.

After a break, U.S. Assistant Attorney Sean Haran gave a final summation, stating if the Lorenzo's "took a penny" from McGriff, then the brothers are guilty.

Jurors will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 am to start deliberations.

 

[PELLA]

im sure their guilty, but i hope they'll be able to come outwith albums still