Results tagged “murderinc”

The drug dealer Kenneth McGriff, who was convicted last year for killing two rivals, was sentenced to life in prison "without the possibility of release" in federal court yesterday. McGriff led a violent drug crew, the Supreme Team, in the 1980s and then became a hip-hop world fixture, working with Murder Inc. While prosecutors were unable to prove that McGriff laundered money through Murder Inc., they did try to convince jurors that he deserved death for hiring a hit man to kill Eric Smith and Troy Singleton in 2001. A few weeks ago, the judge in the case told the federal prosecutors not to pursue the death penalty, saying that in his opinion, "there is no chance in the world there would be a death penalty verdict in this case."

In Brooklyn, drug dealer Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff is on trial for racketeering and his involvement in two murders. Closing arguments were made, but Federal Judge Frederic Block made his own memorable comments about the prosecution's desire to seek the death penalty:

“Will you kindly advise Washington that in this judge’s opinion, there is no chance in the world there would be a death penalty verdict in this case? If I’m wrong, I will have egg on my face, but I will not be incorrect...

Continue reading "Judge Tells Prosecutors "You Crazy""

- The wake for slain police officer Dillon Stewart was held today; his funeral is tomorrow (we thought it was interesting that Stewart had responded to Mark Fisher's shooting and testified during that murder trial)

- Uhm, in case you missed it, the Murder Inc. guys were found not guilty.

- A man tried to kidnap a five year old from her school's cafeteria!

Although it would probably be ulcer-inducing, Gothamist wishes we could be in the gallery for the Murder Inc. drug laundering trial. Because things sound totally insane. Yesterday, prosecutors heard testimony about druglord Kenneth McGriff's hit on 50 Cent (McGriff invested in record label Murder Inc.; the feds say Murder Inc. laundered McGriff's drug money) associates were text messaging each other within 30 minutes of the 2000 shooting, though a defense lawyer said that Murder Inc. head Irving Lorenzo/Gotti was really messaging "I love the s--- out of you" to his wife. Jurors didn't hear the evidence, as the judge is still deciding whether or not to allow the testimony.

the guys paying them, which is probably why Ja-Rule told reporters that the charges were "bogus" and that the authorities just "don't like hip-hop." Prosectors are trying to connect Murder Inc. with druglord Kenneth McGriff, also known as "Supreme," and that McGriff used Murder Inc. to launder a million dollars (in shoeboxes and garbage bags!).

• Peter Braunstein update: His father is sure he is was behind the attacks and details first marriage
  
• Larry Silverstein has built a 30-foot deep hole for a residential tower at 11th Avenue and 42nd Street...where the Javits Center wants to build a hotel
  
• The Village Voice's Sydney Schanberg takes New York magazine to task for its coverage of the Voice's merger
  

Well, sadly, this wasn't much of a surprise: The attempted shooting of 50 Cent at Hot 97 was apparently masterminded by Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff and Murder Inc. because of various rivalries. Sigh. The IRS had been investigating McGriff, variously described as a "reputed gangster" and "alleged druglord", and Murder Inc. for their finances and now feel that that they are "involved in an ongoing plot to kill 50 Cent." And the IRS was involved because they were actually investigating Murder Inc. heads Irving and Chris Lorenzo, who are on trial for allegedly laundering McGriff's drug mone. Or something like that. And it also seems that McGriff might have had beloved Jam Master Jay killed in 2002 because of his ties to 50 Cent! This was almost easier to understand when the police thought that last March's shooting was really about the beef between 50 and The Game.