In a highly anticipated trial, renowned rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, and his bodyguard McKinley Lee have been acquitted of first- and second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a gang member at a Palms park.
The jury also found them not guilty on one charge each of conspiracy to commit assault related to the incident.
However, the jury could not reach a verdict on a lesser count of voluntary manslaughter against both men, as well as a charge of conspiracy after the fact against Broadus.
Judge Paul G. Flynn polled the jurors to determine if any believed there was a possibility of reaching a verdict on the remaining charges.
One juror expressed optimism, leading the judge to send the panel back for further deliberations.
After an hour, the jurors adjourned and are expected to reconvene today.
Upon hearing the first not-guilty verdict, supporters of the defendants erupted in applause and shouted expressions of gratitude.
Lee appeared relieved, sinking back in his chair and sighing, while Broadus held his hands in prayer and bowed his head.
The two men then clasped hands before Lee thanked his attorney, Donald Re.
Following the verdict, a visibly happy Broadus left the court accompanied by MTV's video crew.
He was seen smiling and holding his 2-year-old son, Corde.
Surrounded by bodyguards, Broadus, who appeared more like a businessman than a “gangsta” rapper in his pinstriped suit, made his way through a crowd of reporters and photographers before stepping into a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce.
Broadus expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, stating, “They made the right decision, you know what I'm saying?
This has been an ordeal that has affected our lives for the past 2 1/2 years.
I was just trying to figure out if I was going to be here to raise my son.”
Both Broadus and Lee were released on $1 million bail prior to the trial.
The foreman of the jury revealed that the panel had taken 15 ballots on the manslaughter charges, with the latest resulting in a 9-3 split.
However, it was not disclosed whether the majority favored acquittal or conviction.
A unanimous agreement is required for a verdict.
The jury also deadlocked on the charge of conspiracy after the fact, which stemmed from allegations that Broadus attempted to destroy evidence in the Jeep Cherokee he was driving during the shooting.
Prosecutors argued that the killing was a coldblooded murder, alleging that Woldemariam was shot in the back and buttocks as he attempted to flee from a confrontation with Broadus and Lee at Woodbine Park.
Defense lawyers countered by claiming that Woldemariam was reaching for a gun in his waistband when Lee fired the fatal shot from the passenger seat of the Jeep.
They portrayed Woldemariam as an aggressive gang member who resented Broadus encroaching on his territory.
Relatives of the victim, who had attended most of the trial, chose to await the verdicts at home on Tuesday.
When contacted, they declined to comment.
Prosecutors also refrained from discussing the case, stating that they would release a statement once the jury reaches a decision on the remaining two counts.
In contrast, defense attorneys applauded the jury's decision.
Co-counsel Marcia Morrissey stated, “We think the jury reached the absolute correct verdict.
We hope with further deliberations they will acquit on the other two counts.
Clearly they are taking a long, hard look at the evidence and decided it was not sufficient.”
David Kenner, another defense attorney, added, “We have a hard-working jury that worked their way through to a just conclusion.”
Earlier in the day, Judge Flynn denied a jury request to visit Woodbine Park.
He expressed concerns that the park's remodeling since the shooting could mislead the jurors and that their safety might be compromised.
Snoop Doggy Dogg gained widespread fame with the release of his album “Doggystyle,” which sold 4 million copies in the United States.
The trial highlighted how quickly disputes can escalate into violence on the gang-infested streets of the city.
According to testimony from two friends of Woldemariam, the altercation began outside Broadus' apartment when someone in the group flashed a gang sign at Woldemariam and his associates.
Enraged, Woldemariam informed them that they were trespassing in his gang's territory, the By Yerself Hustlers, and uttered an expletive directed at them.
Several people then got into Broadus' Jeep and pursued Woldemariam and his friends Jason London and Dushaun Joseph for several blocks.
When the Jeep turned onto a side street, Woldemariam engaged in a verbal confrontation with Lee and another passenger.
Joseph testified that he witnessed Woldemariam reaching for a gun before Lee fired the fatal shot.
Joseph and London admitted under extensive questioning by the defense that they took the gun from Woldemariam after he was shot in an attempt to improve the chances of convicting Broadus and Lee of murder.
During the trial, prosecutors presented the testimonies of two dozen witnesses, while the defense relied primarily on Joseph's recollections, calling only one witness.
In his closing arguments, Deputy Dist.
Atty.
Bobby Grace emphasized that Broadus should not be above the law due to his celebrity status.
However, the rapper's fame was difficult to ignore, as evidenced by the presence of other rap stars such as Tupac Shakur, Hammer, and Devante, who performed with Jodeci, supporting Broadus during the trial.
“We mourn for the Woldemariams, but we're thrilled that Snoop won't be going to jail,” said Sheena Lester, editor in chief of RapPages magazine.
“Snoop is a kind and gentle brother.
I hope this trial taught people that there is nothing glamorous about gangsterism.
I hope it helps people to separate the music, which is cool, from the reality, which is not.”
This story was contributed by Times staff writers Chuck Philips, John L. Mitchell, and Paul Johnson.
