According to the Assoicated Press, Aubrey Berry [click to read] the man allegedly responsible for the death of Atlanta rapper Dolla [click to read] is claiming self-defense.
Berry’s lawyer Howard Price explained to the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Berry had good reason to believe that he was in danger.
“He believed [Dolla] was armed,” Price explained to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He [Berry] believed he was in danger.”
Berry and Dolla’s first altercation with one another took place at Platinum 21, a gentleman’s club in Atlanta. Berry was allegedly attacked by Dolla and his entourage at the club.
Price also revealed that Dolla and Berry being in the mall at the same time was just a matter of coincidence.
“He [Berry] was there [at P.F. Chang’s] first,” said Price. “[During the strip club incident], Mr. Berry inadvertently bumped into a woman he didn’t know. It was a stupid, silly incident that should’ve never escalated to this point.”
Berry then left P.F. Chang’s after being warned that Dolla had some ties with the Crips gang. After leaving P.F. Chang’s, Berry was allegedly approached by Dolla and two friends. Berry began shooting, hitting Dolla several times.
Berry, who faces life in prison, has been charged with two counts of assault with a deadly firearm and one count of murder.
The Burton family has released the following statement via press release:
“First and foremost we, the Burton family would like to thank everyone for all their kind thoughts and prayers during these trying times,” the statement reads. “Most recently, the Burton family was made aware that there have been numerous false claims of information floating around the ‘net and also reported in reputable media outlets. Part of this was due to someone who was not authorized to speak on the family’s behalf and who claimed to be the publicist of record decided to disseminate false information on her own and without the consent of the family to several media outlets.
“Due to the circumstances of the situation no other information will be released at this time. We are grateful for your continued support in these trying times. We now ask everyone to allow us to mourn the loss of our beloved Roderick Anthony Burton.”
