GRETNA, La. — Rapper Corey "C-Murder" Miller was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for the 2002 shooting of a fan during a nightclub brawl, capping tumultuous jury deliberations at his second trial in the killing.
The Louisiana jury reached the 10-2 verdict around 1:30 p.m. in its second day of deliberations. Jurors had reached the same verdict earlier in the day, but District Judge Hans Liljeberg ordered them back to the jury room for more deliberation because of a questionable vote. Ten votes are required for a second-degree murder conviction.
Liljeberg said after the verdict's initial reading that one juror had apparently changed her vote just to end deliberations – rendering the verdict invalid. Three jurors had been seen crying in the courtroom Tuesday morning, and the day before they sent a note that they were having trouble reaching a consensus.
The invalid verdict prompted defense attorney Ron Rakosky to move for a mistrial saying that the judge had pressured the jury into reaching a verdict. Liljeberg denied the motion.
"I don't think I pressured them at all," Liljeberg said. "I told them if they could not reach a verdict to let me know."
The courtroom was completely silent when the verdict was given for the second time. More than a dozen law enforcement officers filled the center aisle, and the judge had warned that anyone who so much as gasped would be arrested.
The victim's family left in tears.
"I'm not rejoicing. I feel bad for (Miller's) family. But at least they can see him. What have we got but a gravesite and a photograph," said George Thomas, whose 16-year-old son, Steve Thomas, was shot to death during the Jan. 12, 2002, brawl in a now-closed Harvey, La., nightclub.
