Prosecutors have revealed that the man suspected of killing D12’s Proof will not face a murder charge.
Following previous reporting by HHDX, bouncer Mario Etheridge claimed that he shot Deshaun ‘Proof’ Holton in defense of his cousin, Keith Bender Jr. on April 11, 2006. Bender was shot seconds before by Proof at Detroit’s C.C.C. nightclub.
Etheridge will now stand trial for two weapons violations only, according to the Associated Press.
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“Evidence clearly shows that Mario Etheridge acted in lawful self-defense of another when he shot Deshaun Holton,” said prosecutor Kym Worthy. “Once the gunshots started, everything happened fairly quickly.”
Authorities believe that Proof was drunk when he opened fire on Bender, 35.
Bender’s family have recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Proof’s estate, and are currently awaiting a response.
