According to reports, defense attorneys requested a mistrial on Thursday in the case against two men accused of murdering Jam Master Jay. They argued that prosecutors had improperly influenced a witness to testify that one of the defendants confessed to the crime many years ago and made a statement about deserving consequences.
However, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall ultimately denied the mistrial, noting the witness' prior statements that could have been mentioned to the jurors anyway. The judge expressed anger towards prosecutors for crossing the line with their questions to the witness.
Judge Hall raised her voice while the jurors were not present in the room, saying, “There was no need whatsoever” for the line of questioning to witnesses. The intense issue threatened to hold up the trial for an hour, which revolves around one of the most notorious acts of violence in hip-hop history. Stay tuned for more updates.
source: Associated Press
