David Banner To Be Honored At Mississippi’s Best Awards

August 16th, 2006 | By Administrator

Rapper’s David Banner and Kamikaze (Crooked Lettaz) will be honored during the Mississippi’s Best Awards, scheduled to take place Saturday, Oct. 28 at the TelCom Center in downtown Jackson.

Over 1500 nomination ballots were received for the event, which honors natives of the state for their excellence and achievements in various. Banner and Kamikaze will be presented with the Best of the Best award, which is one of the five ?Committee?s Choice? awards.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by your home,” David Banner told AllHipHop.com. “It’s similar to your father saying he’s proud of you.”

?The people of the state are rallying around the project,” added Cyrus A. Webb,31, the event?s founder and the Chief Communications Director. “With so many stereotypes and prejudices against Mississippians, they are glad to see something good making the news.?

Other natives of Mississippi being honored include Oprah Winfrey, Willie Mosely Jr., Marshall Ramsey and Morgan Freeman.

Guest presenters include Tchula Mayor Yvonne Brown, Ben Allen (Jackson Cit Council President), Miss Mississippi Taryn Foshee and others.

Judge Defends Decision in C-Murder Case

August 16th, 2006 | By Administrator

A 24th Judicial District Court judge is speaking out concerning her July 13 decision to release No Limit Records rapper Corey “C-Murder” Miller from a home incarceration program.

In a three-page order issued Wednesday (Aug. 9), Judge Martha Sassone wrote that Miller was punished for violating the conditions of his house arrest only once, despite arguments from prosecutors, who claim Miller violated the program’s rules several times.

Sassone stated “Mr. Miller has not violated the conditions of his bond, including the home incarceration” after carefully reviewing reports and evidence covering Miller’s time out on bond.

The explanation is the latest in the ongoing saga surrounding Miller, who is charged with second-degree murder in the Jan. 12, 2002 slaying of Steve Thomas. The 16-year-old was shot in the chest in the now-closed Platinum Club in Harvey.

If convicted as charged, Miller would spend the rest of his life in prison.

Although he was convicted of the crime, Sassone sided with Miller’s attorneys as she granted the rhymesayer a new trial. Attorneys believe the district attorney’s office withheld criminal background information about witnesses. The information, they argued, could have helped Miller’s defense.

In March, the state Supreme Court upheld Sassone’s order for a new trial. She later set bail and ordered Miller into house arrest as a condition of bond, despite objections from prosecutors.

The written explanation comes nearly a month after Sassone gave Miller a 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. nightly curfew instead of house arrest.

Although she ordered the curfew, Sassone retained the $500,000 bond she set on March 15. Miller is also barred from drinking alcohol, has restrictions on visitors to his residence and must stay in Jefferson and Orleans parishes.