The murder and conspiracy trial of music exec./crime boss James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond and Rodney Johnson has ended in a mistral as the jury could not agree on unanimous verdict. Rosemond and Johnson are accused of plotting to kill rival Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher.
Prosecutors say Rosemond, in an ongoing beef with rapper 5O Cent, paid to have Fletcher, an associate of 50’s, murdered in 2009. With a slew of Rosemond’s former friends and employees testifying against him, the prosecution thought this would be an open and shut case. Rosemond’s lawyers however, were able to make the jury question the credibility of witnesses during cross-examination.
By highlighting the fact that all of the prosecution’s key witnesses had made a deal for lighter sentences in exchange for their testimony, defense attorney Bruce Maffeo was able to make the jury question their motives and ultimately their credibility as reliable witnesses.
Though Rosemond may be off the hook for the murder rap, he is still currently serving a life sentence for weapons and drug running convictions last year.
