C-Murder, a Murder Rap and Two Attempted Murders

On Tuesday, Corey "C-Murder" Miller, rapper and member of his cousin Master P's 1990's southern rap empire, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for the attempted murder of two people in a Baton Rouge night club in 2001. Earlier this month, he got a life sentence for the 2002 murder of a teenager in a Harvey, Louisiana night club.

As reported by the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Miller received the 10 year sentence just weeks after receiving a life sentence for the 2002 murder. One might wonder why another 10 year sentence is needed for a man already sentenced to life. The answer is that prosecutors want to ensure his incarceration even if one or the other of the convictions gets overturned on appeal. And in the case(s) of C-Murder, this concern is particularly apt -- his murder conviction has already been overturned once.

To help sort out C-Murder's murder and attempted murder raps, here is a brief timeline of his cases:

• 2001: Upset because a night club bouncer and owner insist he be searched before entering, C-Murder pulls a pistol from his waistband and tries to shoot the club owner in the back. The gun jams, then he tries to shoot the bouncer, but the gun jams again.
• 2002: While out on bond for the attempted murder charge, C-Murder shoots and kills a teenager in another night club.
• 2003: He is convicted of murder for the second incident.
• 2004: His murder conviction is overturned on the theory that prosecutors withheld information from defense counsel.
• 2005: A court of appeals reinstates the murder conviction.
• 2006: The Louisiana Supreme Court overturns the court of appeals decision, invalidating the conviction and granting Miller a new trial.
• 2006 - 2009: C-Murder lives under various levels of house arrest.
• August, 14 2009: After being convicted for the second time for the 2002 murder, C-Murder receives a mandatory life sentence.
• August 25, 2009: After pleading no-contest to the attempted murder charges, C-Murder receives another 10 year sentence, which will be discounted by the time he served under house arrest.

There is little doubt that his second murder conviction will also be challenged. As the Times-Picayune reports, the deciding juror in his second murder trial claims to have voted guilty somewhat against her will after receiving intense pressure from other jurors.

• C-Murder guilty of second-degree murder after topsy-turvy jury action (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
• C-Murder Trial The Latest Nail In No Limit's Coffin (MTV)
• Classifications of Crimes (provided by Conese Law Office)
• Murder versus Manslaughter (provided by Mark A Perez)