Slain Detroit rapper Proof
apparently only pulled out his weapon after his killer fired off a warning shot
in Detroit’s CCC club on the night of his murder, prosecutors said in the trial
of Mario Etheridge alleging yesterday in court. Etheridge, who
fired the fatal shots that killed Proof, is currently on trial for a
charge of discharging a firearm in a building and possession of a concealed
weapon. According to the Detroit Free Press, assistant prosecutor Elizabeth
Walker stated that when Etheridge fired the warning shot, “that
was the first display, the first use, the first time anyone knew about a
weapon.”
It was then, according to the prosecution, that Proof drew his weapon
and fired at Keith Bender, who was Etheridge’s cousin. Bender,
was celebrating news of an improved heart condition, he unfortunately died
several days later from the initial gun-fire. In May, the District Attorney’s
office declined to prosecute Etheridge for Proof’s murder, saying
he acted in self-defense when he shot the rapper. Also, Andre Boyd,
witness to the events in the club that night, testified yesterday morning that
he saw Proof get into two separate scuffles with another club patron
before he started the fight with Bender. Etheridge’s trial is
expected to last two days.