Lil Boosie

Lil Boosie Found Not Guilty In Murder Trial

11 May 2012 18:21:05 EDT

Baton Rouge rapper dodges a life sentence in 2009 murder case.
By Nadeska Alexis

After a week of testimony and deliberation in a murder trial stemming from a 2009 case, jurors in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, found rapper Lil Boosie (born Torrence Hatch) not guilty of a first-degree murder charge on Friday (May 11). The rapper was facing life in prison if convicted.

Boosie is currently serving an eight-year sentence for non-related drug charges, but WBRZ reported that the 29-year-old was able to beat seemingly insurmountable odds in a murder trial in which he was accused of ordering primary witness Michael "Marlo Mike" Louding to murder Terry Boyd. The 35-year-old was shot to death in his home in Baton Rouge in October 2009.

On the third day of testimony in the Boosie trial, 19-year-old Louding took the stand and backtracked on his previous confession of being hired to kill Boyd. He claimed instead that he had never confessed to law enforcement about the murder, adding that he was with Hatch and getaway driver Adrienne Pitman at the rapper's house on the night of the shooting.

The prosecution came under fire for using Boosie's violent lyrics to incriminate him in the case, even pointing to Louding's tattoo of an AK-47, with the script "Yo Boosie Who's Next?" as proof that the two had conspired. Meanwhile, the defense aimed to paint a picture of Boosie as an artist who let too many strangers into his inner circle without knowing their true intentions.

On Wednesday morning, an IT specialist took the stand to testify about the contents of the Baton Rouge rapper's computer. The expert pinpointed a photo of a tattoo parlor, which was related to the investigation, but no details were given on how his testimony might have affected the case. Throughout the trial, several officers were questioned, including one who revealed that Boosie was not considered a suspect until his name was brought up during Louding's confession.

While prosecutors argued that Louding's admissions and cell phone records were proof that he committed the crime, Boosie's defense attorneys countered that the confession was a lie, prompted by hours of interrogation.

Stick with MTV News and RapFix.MTV.com as further details in the case emerge.

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Lil Boosie Murder Trial: Jury Selection Begins

30 Apr 2012 15:20:11 EDT

Rapper is accused of first-degree murder in a 2009 shooting.
By Rob Markman

Seven hundred potential jurors have been summoned to a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, court and 12 will be selected to decide the fate of underground rap star Lil Boosie.

The jury selection for Boosie's murder trial began Monday (April 30), and rather than the normal 500 Baton Rouge residents who are summoned for jury duty each week, an extra 200 have been called for the high-profile case, WAFB News is reporting.

Boosie (real name: Torrence Hatch) is facing a first-degree murder charge for the 2009 shooting of Terry Boyd. Prosecutors are alleging that the rapper ordered the hit on Boyd from behind bars, but through it all, Boosie has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges in June 2010.

At the urging of the prosecution, the judge is allowing the MC's lyrics to be brought up in trial claiming that specific words in his songs equal intent. The defense attorneys are, of course, refuting such claims.

Though it has been widely reported, the death penalty is not on the table if the rapper is found guilty, according to WAFB.

The murder trial is just another bullet point in the rapper's list of legal troubles. In November 2011, Boosie Bad Azz pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiring to smuggle drugs into Louisiana's Dixon Correctional Center and Angola State Penitentiary and was sentenced to eight years behind bars.

During an interview from behind bars in May 2011, the Trill Entertainment rapper told XXL magazine he was being unfairly targeted by the justice system. "[I'm here] 'cause of the songs I made, before I was indicted, about the police in Baton Rouge and what's going on here," he said. "There's a lot with our record label that the system don't like. ... They took my hard drive out of my house after I got arrested. I have albums for days in there. They still haven't returned it. They've had it for damn near a year now. I need that music."

Lil Boosie first rose to prominence with his 2006 debut album Bad Azz and scored his biggest hit in 2008 when he was featured on Lil Webbie's 2008 #1 Billboard rap single "Independent."

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Lil Boosie Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison

29 Nov 2011 15:29:31 EST

Louisiana rapper pleaded guilty to drug-smuggling charges.
By Nadeska Alexis

Lil Boosie has been incarcerated since June 2010, awaiting trial for a murder charge. On Tuesday (November 29), the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native (born Torrence Hatch) pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiring to smuggle drugs into prison and was sentenced to eight years behind bars.

Local TV station WFAB reports that District Judge Mike Erwin passed down the sentence after Boosie admitted that he tried to smuggle drugs into Louisiana's Dixon Correctional Center and Angola State Penitentiary. Upon hearing his sentence, the 29-year-old rapper requested admittance to a drug rehab program, and while the judge agreed to recommend treatment, he wouldn't order it. Boosie will receive credit for the time he has already served behind bars.

Last June, Boosie pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution, three counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics and three counts of conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

The first-degree murder charge stemmed from the October 2009 death of Terry Boyd. Boosie is accused of paying hit men to kill the 35-year-old man and, if convicted, he may face the death penalty. During Boosie's stint behind bars, the East Baton Rouge DA's office also began to build another case against Boosie, trying to link him to five additional murders.

During a prison interview in May, the Trill Entertainment rapper told XXL magazine he was being unfairly targeted by the justice system. "[I'm here] 'cause of the songs I made, before I was indicted, about the police in Baton Rouge and what's going on here," he said. "There's a lot with our record label that the system don't like. ... They took my hard drive out of my house after I got arrested. I have albums for days in there. They still haven't returned it. They've had it for damn near a year now. I need that music."

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Lil Boosie Speaks From Behind Bars

12 May 2011 18:42:39 EDT

'Some days I'm maintaining, but I'm missing my family and the life I had out there, Lil Boosie tells XXL magazine.
By Rob Markman

Incarcerated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rapper Lil Boosie has been on 23-hour lockdown since June, and in an interview with XXL magazine, he expressed frustration from behind bars.

"Some days I'm maintaining, but I'm missing my family and the life I had out there," Boosie told the website. "My first seven months I was in population, but since June, I've been on 23-hour lockdown."

According to the Dirty South MC, the lockdown is intended for his own protection due to his celebrity. "They said they're trying to protect me because of who I am," he continued. "They got people get stabbed here, killed here. Pretty rough people here. A lot of rats here, snitches."

Boosie, who is currently locked up on probation violation, is facing a murder charge in the first degree and can possibly face the death penalty if convicted. The charge stems from the October 2009 murder of Terry Boyd. Boosie is accused of paying men to kill Boyd. In addition, the rapper is facing separate drug and conspiracy charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. While he awaits trial, the East Baton Rouge DA's office is building its case and looking to link Boosie to an additional five murders. The Trill Ent. rapper feels he is being unfairly targeted.

"[I'm here] 'cause of the songs I made, before I was indicted, about the police in Baton Rouge and what's going on here," he said. "There's a lot with our record label, that the system don't like. ... They took my hard drive out of my house after I got arrested. I have albums for days in there. They still haven't returned it. They've had it for damn near a year now. I need that music."

Despite the turmoil that he is facing, Boosie looks forward to the day he can walk out of prison and Louisiana.

"I'm leaving Louisiana the first day I get out of prison," Boosie said. "I'm a major target down here. I'll thank God for everything and get back to the money."

Stay tuned to MTV News for updates on Lil Boosie's upcoming murder trial.

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Exclusive: Lil Boosie To Release New LP, Incarcerated, Next Month

23 Aug 2010 17:24:50 EDT

Rapper is currently facing murder and conspiracy charges.
By Shaheem Reid

Lil Boosie remains in prison, battling very serious charges of murder and conspiracy, but his music career has not halted.

On September 28, Asylum Records is releasing Incarcerated, the follow-up to 2009's Super Bad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz. The project is mostly produced by B.J., but Mouse on Tha Track did board work as well. Webbie, Foxx and Lil Trill are among the LP's guests.

DJ Drama had a chance to get an early preview of the project and said Boosie's impact is immeasurable. "Lil Boosie is one of the most important Southern and street artists of this generation, period," Mr. Thanksgiving applauded. "Boosie always gives you the ghetto in a real and authentic way. The music on Incarcerated lives up to that standard. I hope and pray for Lil Boosie to get through his struggle."

Boosie, born Torrence Hatch, is accused of plotting to kill Terry Boyd in October of last year. In June, he pleaded not guilty to murder, drug and conspiracy charges. He has maintained his innocence and is currently preparing his defense.

Incarcerated track listing, according to Asylum Records:

1. "Devils" (produced by Savage)
2. "You Don't Know" (produced by B.J.)
3. "Betrayed" (featuring Webbie; produced by B.J.)
4. "Chill Out" (produced by B.J.)
5. "Bank Roll (Part 2)" (featuring Webbie and Big Head; produced by B.J.)
6. "How We Do It" (Featuring Webbie and Lil Trill; produced by B.J.)
7. "Cartoon" (featuring Shell and Mouse on Tha Track; produced by Mouse on Tha Track)
8. "Thugged Out" (featuring Foxx; produced by B.J.)
9. "Better Not Fight" (featuring Foxx, Webbie and Lil Trill; produced by David West)
10. "What I Learned From the Streets" (featuring Shell; produced by B.J.)
11. "Calling Me" (produced by B.J.)
12. "Do It Again" (featuring Lil' Phat and K.T.; produced by B.J.)
13. "Long Journey" (featuring Webbie; produced by B.J.)
14. "The Rain" (featuring Lil Trill; produced by B.J.)

Are you looking forward to new music from Boosie? Let us know in the comments.

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Lil Boosie Pleads Not Guilty To Murder, Conspiracy Charges

29 Jun 2010 11:28:57 EDT

Baton Rouge rapper accused of hiring killers and of conspiring to smuggle drugs into prison.
By Gil Kaufman

Rapper Lil Boosie (born Torrence Hatch) pleaded not guilty on Monday afternoon to murder, drug and conspiracy charges in a brief court appearance. The 27-year-old Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rapper — already behind bars on a probation violation — was indicted on first-degree murder charges by a grand jury on June 17 in connection with an incident in October, when two men shot and killed 35-year-old Terry Boyd through the window of his home.

According to The Advocate newspaper, Boosie appeared in court for just a few minutes, looking somber, surrounded by six law enforcement officers and dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, with his wrists and ankles shackled. He told state District Judge Mike Erwin he was not guilty of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution, three counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics and three counts of conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

Boosie was ordered to return to court on October 14. The rapper's attorney, entertainment lawyer Marcus Allen, told reporters afterward that his client is "absolutely not guilty," adding, "We're going to be preparing our defense. We have no idea what the evidence is. There's a lot of rumor and innuendo."

Earlier this month, The Advocate reported that East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said that investigators are looking into whether Boosie and others have ties to at least five other killings in the area since last year that have followed a murder-for-hire template similar to that of the Boyd slaying. Hillar said on Monday that his office hasn't decided yet whether to pursue the death penalty against Boosie on the murder charge, but said it was "obviously" an option.

Boosie is accused of paying men to kill Boyd and of conspiring with his girlfriend, Walnita Decuir, and a former prison guard to introduce contraband — in this case, illegal drugs such as codeine pills and synthetic marijuana — into the prison where the rapper is being held. He also faces a third charge involving drugs and conspiracy. Boosie pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

One of the men indicted earlier this month in the Boyd killing, Michael "Marlo Mike" Louding, 17, was also indicted in five other deaths, including the killing of local up-and-coming rapper Chris "Nussie" Jackson, who had been publicly beefing with Boosie until his death in February. Police are also looking into the killing of Darryl "Bleek" Milton, a former employee of Boosie's record label, BadAzz Entertainment, who was found shot in his Cadillac in April.

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Lil Boosie Could Face Further Charges Following Murder Indictment

18 Jun 2010 12:43:05 EDT

Baton Rouge DA says rapper is under investigation for five other killings.
By Gil Kaufman

In addition to an indictment on first-degree murder charges handed down by a grand jury on Thursday, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rapper Lil Boosie (born Torrence Hatch) could be facing additional murder counts based on an ongoing police investigation into five unsolved killings in the area.

According to The Advocate, Thursday's indictment — which stemmed from an incident in October that left 35-year-old Terry Boyd dead after two men fired shots through a window in his home — is part of what prosecutors are calling a murder-for-hire case.

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III told the paper that investigators are looking into whether Boosie, 27, and others are involved in at least five other killings in the area since early last year.

"We're investigating the others in a similar fashion," Moore said. "We are investigating the common pattern of these killings and money."

Boosie, already imprisoned since November for a probation violation, was also indicted on Thursday on multiple drug-possession charges and for an alleged scheme to smuggle illicit substances into the jail where he is being held. The Advocate reported that Boosie; girlfriend Walnita Decuir, 25; former correctional officer Joshua Wilson, 27, and fellow inmate Stacey Riley, 36, were all indicted on charges that they conspired to smuggle contraband — which included drugs such as codeine, marijuana, ecstasy and synthetic marijuana — into Dixon Correctional Institute, where Boosie is being held.

Boosie is not entitled to post bond on the first-degree murder charge and will remain incarcerated while that case moves forward. Moore declined to say how much money Boosie allegedly paid to have Boyd killed, who pulled the trigger or why Boyd was targeted.

Two other men, Michael Louding and Adrian Pittman, were also indicted on similar charges earlier this month in connection with Boyd's killing. In total, investigators are looking at six slayings over a 14-month period, from the February 9, 2009, shooting death of local rapper Chris "Nussie" Jackson to an April 1 double-murder of two local men.

In September, Boosie pleaded guilty to a third-offense marijuana possession charge. Under a plea deal a judge was expected to sentence him to 10 years in prison with all but the first two years suspended, which would mean he'd be eligible for parole in one year. But after Boosie violated the terms of the deal in November by leaving his house during confinement, the judge doubled the term.

Now, Moore told the paper, he is going to ask the judge to revoke the deal and resentence Boosie to the original 10-year term.

A district attorney said the death penalty was not out of the question for Boosie in the murder case. A spokesperson for the rapper could not be reached for comment at press time.

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Lil Boosie Indicted For First-Degree Murder

17 Jun 2010 20:40:09 EDT

Rapper is already in jail for violating probation.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rapper Lil Boosie was indicted on a first-degree murder charge by a grand jury Thursday (June 17), stemming from an incident in October that left one man dead.

Two other men, Michael Louding and Adrian Pittman, were also indicted on similar charges, according to Louisiana CBS News affiliate WAFB. The Trill Entertainment rapper and his associates were indicted for multiple drug-possession charges as well.

Police records say Boosie and the two men fired shots into the home of Terry Boyd, then 35. The rapper allegedly was in possession of ecstasy, codeine and marijuana. All three men were charged with conspiracy for their part in the act, police say. A district attorney said the death penalty was not out of the question.

Currently, Boosie is in jail after a judge ordered him to prison for violating his probation. In November, the rapper was immediately taken into custody after authorities discovered Boosie was leaving his house during home confinement. Prior to his imprisonment, the rapper was facing jail time after he reached a plea deal on a previous drug rap.

Boosie was sentenced to two years in jail in September; his agreement helped him avoid facing upward of 10 years behind bars after his original sentence was suspended. "I'm ready to get this behind me," Boosie told the judge at the time, just a week before he was scheduled to go to trial.

Boosie was in the midst of releasing his latest album, Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz, during his last set of legal troubles. At the time, he thought he would only be going away for a few months.

"I gotta go away for, like, 10 months to a year," Boosie told MTV News in October last year. "It's just a minor setback for a major comeback. I was gonna take 'em to trial, but I'm not gonna take them to trial. They offered me a deal. In Louisiana, you can't really win, bruh. So I'm gonna do my year, come back home, step it up even more. I leave on November 9."

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Lil Boosie Sentenced To Four Years For Probation Violation

10 Nov 2009 10:10:00 EST

Rapper must go to prison immediately after reportedly leaving home during house arrest.
By Gil Kaufman

A Louisiana judge sentenced rapper Lil Boosie (born Torrence Hatch) to prison for four years on Monday for violating the terms of his probation. According to WAFB News, District Court Judge Chip Moore revoked Boosie's probation after an ankle monitor indicated that the MC had violated the terms of his release more than once by leaving his home during house arrest.

After taking a plea deal to a third-offense marijuana-possession charge in September, Boosie, 25, was expected to receive a 10-year sentence with all but the first two years suspended, likely keeping him behind bars for a year or so.

Boosie was convicted on drug and gun charges in September in connection with an October 2008 arrest when police found a bag of marijuana, a blunt and a gun in a vehicle he was driving. The pot charge along could have landed him in prison for 20 years, with a mandatory minimum of five years for the gun charge. After the plea, Moore ordered Boosie to be electronically monitored and to clear all concert dates with the court while awaiting sentencing, according to Louisiana newspaper The Advocate. But when the judge found out that the rapper had violated his terms, Moore ordered him to spend four years in prison, meaning he will likely do at least two full years, his lawyer said.

Boosie was ordered to report to prison immediately after Monday's hearing, and he will be on probation for five years following his release. The firearm charge will be dropped if Boosie successfully completes his probation.

Before his sentencing, Boosie appeared at the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta last month and told MTV News that the prison stretch was just a "minor setback," predicting that he would only be gone for a year at most.

"I gotta go away for, like, 10 months to a year," Boosie said at the time. "It's just a minor setback for a major comeback. I was gonna take 'em to trial, but I'm not gonna take them to trial. They offered me a deal. In Louisiana, you can't really win, bruh. So I'm gonna do my year, come back home, step it up even more. I leave on November 9." Though his latest album, Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz, has failed to make much of a dent on the charts since its release in September, the MC said he's already got his next one in the pipe.

"I turned in the album this Tuesday to Warner Bros. It's gonna be called Free at Last," he said at the time. "It'll drop the week I come home. It's gonna be crazy. Crazy, man."

That album features cameos from B.G. and Young Jeezy. Boosie said he's already shot four or five videos for the effort.

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Lil Boosie Plans To Drop Free At Last After Prison Time

15 Oct 2009 06:52:00 EDT

'It'll drop the week I come home,' rapper tells Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid

The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive
Lil Boosie had a chance to get out and promote himself as well as party with his friends Webbie and Young Jeezy during BET Hip-Hop Awards weekend in Atlanta a few days ago.

Boosie doesn't have too much time left before he goes to prison. As part of plea bargain stemming from weapons-possession and drug charges, the Louisiana MC has to take a break from the limelight.

"I gotta go away for, like, 10 months to a year," Boosie said in ATL. "It's just a minor setback for a major comeback. I was gonna take 'em to trial, but I'm not gonna take them to trial. They offered me a deal. In Louisiana, you can't really win, bruh. So I'm gonna do my year, come back home, step it up even more. I leave on November 9."

Although Boosie's latest LP, Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz, was just released last month, he's already finished his next LP.

"I turned in the album this Tuesday to Warner Bros. It's gonna be called Free at Last," he said. "It'll drop the week I come home. It's gonna be crazy. Crazy, man."

Young Jeezy and B.G. appear on the album, but Boosie said most of the tracks feature just him. "I done shot four or five videos already," he revealed. "We're gonna pace them as I go in. It's official."

Before Free at Last's run, Superbad is getting its just due. "Missing You" is a strong contender to be that album's next single.

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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