In a surprising turn of events, rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, were 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 of conspiracy to commit assault in connection with the incident.
However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charge of voluntary manslaughter against both men, as well as a charge of conspiracy after the fact against the rapper himself.
The judge polled the jurors to determine if further deliberations could lead to a verdict on the remaining charges.
One juror expressed the possibility, leading the judge to send the jury back for further deliberations.
When the not-guilty verdict was announced, supporters of the defendants erupted in applause and thanked God.
Snoop Doggy Dogg appeared relieved, holding his hands together in prayer, while Lee expressed his gratitude to his attorney.
The two men then clasped hands in a show of unity.
Snoop Doggy Dogg, accompanied by bodyguards, left the court with a smile on his face, carrying his 2-year-old son.
Despite his reputation as a “gangsta” rapper, he appeared more like a businessman in his pinstriped suit.
He made his way through a crowd of reporters and photographers before entering a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce.
Speaking to the press, Snoop Doggy Dogg expressed his relief at the verdict, stating that the trial had affected his life for the past few years and that he was concerned about being there for his son.
The foreman of the jury revealed that the panel was deadlocked on the manslaughter charges, with a 9-3 split, but did not specify whether the majority favored acquittal or conviction.
The jury also reached a deadlock on the charge of conspiracy after the fact, which accused Snoop Doggy Dogg of attempting to destroy evidence in the vehicle he was driving on the night of the shooting.
Prosecutors argued that the killing was a deliberate act of murder, while the defense claimed that the victim had reached for a gun before being shot.
Throughout the trial, the victim's relatives attended court proceedings, but they chose not to be present during the announcement of the verdicts.
When contacted, they declined to comment on the decision.
Prosecutors also refrained from discussing the case, stating that they would release a statement after the jury reached a decision on the remaining counts.
Defense attorneys praised the jury's decision, expressing their belief that the panel had made the correct verdict based on the evidence presented.
They remained hopeful that further deliberations would result in acquittals on the remaining charges.
Hours before the verdicts were announced, the judge denied a jury request to visit the crime scene at Woodbine Park.
Concerns about misleading the jury due to renovations at the park and the panel's safety were cited as reasons for the denial.
Snoop Doggy Dogg, known for his violent lyrics, gained fame with his album “Doggystyle” and has been closely associated with the gang culture.
The trial highlighted how quickly conflicts can escalate into violence on the streets affected by gang activity.
The incident began with a confrontation outside Snoop Doggy Dogg's apartment, where someone from the victim's group allegedly flashed a gang sign.
This led to an exchange of insults and threats, with Woldemariam asserting his gang's territorial claims.
The confrontation escalated when the victim and his friends were followed by Snoop Doggy Dogg and his associates.
At Woodbine Park, a verbal altercation took place between the victim and Snoop Doggy Dogg's bodyguard, with the victim allegedly reaching for a gun before being shot.
Witnesses testified to the defense's claim that the victim was a hot-headed gang member who was angry about the rapper encroaching on his territory.
During the trial, prosecutors presented numerous witnesses, while the defense relied heavily on the testimony of one witness.
The prosecution urged the jury not to let Snoop Doggy Dogg's celebrity status influence their decision.
Various rap stars, including Tupac Shakur and Hammer, showed their support for the rapper during the trial.
This verdict brings relief for Snoop Doggy Dogg and his bodyguard, but it also serves as a reminder of the consequences of gang-related violence.
Society should differentiate between the cool music and the harsh reality associated with gangsterism.
Times staff writers Chuck Philips, John L. Mitchell, and Paul Johnson contributed to this report.
