Rapper N.O.R.E., formerly known as Noreaga, testified Wednesday on behalf of a defendant on trial in a triple murder case.
Darryl Henderson is facing charges stemming from a Jan. 21, 2002 incident in which three men were killed near Yankees Stadium. He faces a possible death penalty if convicted.
N.O.R.E., whose real name is Victor Santiago, told the court that he met Henderson in the Bronx in 1998 or 1999 and hired him as a roadie to go on food and beer runs for the performers, among other tasks.
The rapper also befriended members of a Bronx gang called Murder Unit, but said he was unaware that the some of the gang members had violent histories, sold drugs and carried weapons. N.O.R.E. said he took members of Murder Unit on tour with him to give them a chance in the business.
On the stand, the artist admitted that life on the road at times involved smoking marijuana and chasing women.
"Hard-core hip-hop tends to sell more records," N.O.R.E. said in court, noting the advantage of a rough edge in the business. "It's about selling an image."
In opening statements, Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Rody said Henderson and two other members of Murder Unit committed the murders to steal 30 kilograms of cocaine worth more than a half-million dollars.
Rody said two of the victims were stabbed more than 20 times and all three had their throats slashed. Within three days, Rody said, the three killers had fled to Miami, Fla., where they were "drinking, partying, posing for pictures and spending the money they made from the stolen cocaine."
The attorney for Henderson said his client is not in a gang and did not kill anyone, although he has sold drugs.
Rody repeatedly attacked N.O.R.E.'s memory, which seemed sketchy about the facts whenever violence erupted near him, but firm in the recollection that Henderson was never directly involved.
N.O.R.E. drew some laughs in the courtroom with his comments, including that the prosecutor in his suit looked like a music booking agent. He waved to them as he left the witness stand, AP reports.
Darryl Henderson is facing charges stemming from a Jan. 21, 2002 incident in which three men were killed near Yankees Stadium. He faces a possible death penalty if convicted.
N.O.R.E., whose real name is Victor Santiago, told the court that he met Henderson in the Bronx in 1998 or 1999 and hired him as a roadie to go on food and beer runs for the performers, among other tasks.
The rapper also befriended members of a Bronx gang called Murder Unit, but said he was unaware that the some of the gang members had violent histories, sold drugs and carried weapons. N.O.R.E. said he took members of Murder Unit on tour with him to give them a chance in the business.
On the stand, the artist admitted that life on the road at times involved smoking marijuana and chasing women.
"Hard-core hip-hop tends to sell more records," N.O.R.E. said in court, noting the advantage of a rough edge in the business. "It's about selling an image."
In opening statements, Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Rody said Henderson and two other members of Murder Unit committed the murders to steal 30 kilograms of cocaine worth more than a half-million dollars.
Rody said two of the victims were stabbed more than 20 times and all three had their throats slashed. Within three days, Rody said, the three killers had fled to Miami, Fla., where they were "drinking, partying, posing for pictures and spending the money they made from the stolen cocaine."
The attorney for Henderson said his client is not in a gang and did not kill anyone, although he has sold drugs.
Rody repeatedly attacked N.O.R.E.'s memory, which seemed sketchy about the facts whenever violence erupted near him, but firm in the recollection that Henderson was never directly involved.
N.O.R.E. drew some laughs in the courtroom with his comments, including that the prosecutor in his suit looked like a music booking agent. He waved to them as he left the witness stand, AP reports.
