A jury acquitted Aubrey Louis Berry of killing rapper Dolla, real name Roderick Anthony Burton II.
As previously reported, Burton was killed during a shooting last year at a Los Angeles mall.
According to the Associated Press, Berry and Burton had been involved in a fight at an Atlanta club less than two weeks before. Berry’s attorney explained that the shooting was an act of self-defense, and pointed that Dolla’s lyrics glorified violence.
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When the verdict was read, Berry – who has been jailed since the May 2009 shooting – hugged his attorney, but was not particularly emotional. Burton’s mother, Danya Robinson, on the other hand, sobbed. “Oh please, somebody help me,” said Robinson.
Deputy District Attorney Bobby Grace explained in his arguments that Berry premeditated the shooting, and ordered a valet to get his car while still holding onto his gun. “Defendant Berry murdered Roderick Burton in cold blood, then tried to escape to Atlanta,” said Grace.
After the verdict was read, Grace gave his impressions. Describing himself as “disappointed,” Grace commented that he hoped Dolla’s lyrics weren’t the deciding factor behind the verdict. “I would hate to think that the jurors’ decision was based solely on lyrics,” he said. “It appears they believed what the defendant had to say.”
