Jury Selection Starts In B.I.G. Civil Suit

[Woozie]

Jury selection started today (June 21) in the civil suit brought against the Los Angeles Police Department by the estate of the late Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace.

The civil suit alleges that Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight ordered the 1997 murder of Wallace and that former various LAPD officers helped cover up the murder and stifle an investigation.

Knight has repeatedly denied involvement as has the LAPD. And just last week, David Mack and Amir Muhammad, two of the men accused of actually committing the murder in various theories, were dismissed from the complicated civil suit.

"This case is now focused solely on the LAPD," said Perry Sanders, who is representing Wallace’s estate in the civil suit. "They are the people charged with preventing and solving homicides such as this, even if it means looking at some of their own dirty laundry."

Some of that dirty laundry includes allegations that the LAPD had knowledge that officers were working for known gang members while they provided security for both Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records.

The lawsuit, which is based mostly on circumstantial evidence, also states the LAPD helped cover up David Mackie’s involvement in the murder of Wallace.

That theory was first floated by former LAPD detective Russell Poole, who said he quit because his attempts to investigate the murder were constantly thwarted.

The lawsuit also alleges former Police Chief Bernard C. Parks halted the investigation, a theory Parks has denied and the FBI has dismissed.

In related news, one major witness in the case told the LA Times yesterday (June 20) that he suffers from amnesia and that he might not be able to recall anything on the stand.

In a June 2004 statement, Kevin Hackie, who did security for Death Row, claimed that a $25,000 bounty was issued to a law enforcement officer to murder Wallace.

Hackie said he might not be able to recall anything due to stress caused by the entire situation.

“My memory is bad,” Hackie told the Los Angeles Times. “I'm going to answer questions to the best of my knowledge, what I remember. But this whole thing has put me over the edge. I am so stressed. I probably won't even remember our conversation tomorrow."

Hackie’s possible memory lapse stems from being intimidated according to Wallace’s attorney. But later in the interview with the LA Times, Hackie questioned the motives of the Wallace estate and suggested the entire incident was rooted in cash and not justice for the murder of one of rap’s brightest stars.

Hackie focused on Poole, claiming the former LAPD detective is cashing in on the case.

“I understand that Russell [Poole] has already been offered a movie deal,” Hackie stated. “I haven't been offered anything yet. No movie deal. No book deal. But if somebody wants to give me one, by all means, I'd do it — if the price is right.

http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4527