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Snoop Doggy Dogg Trial: 1995-96

Jury Frees Snoop Dogg



On February 20, 1996, after six days of deliberations, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on the murder charges against Broadus and Lee. The defendants sat silently as their supporters cheered, causing Judge Paul Flynn to threaten to clear the courtroom. The jury remained deadlocked on the voluntary manslaughter and accessory charges. On February 21, jurors acquitted Broadus on the accessory charge, but informed Judge Flynn that they remained deadlocked 9-3 in favor of acquittal on the voluntary manslaughter charge and could not agree. Judge Flynn declared a mistrial.



Snoop Dogg expressed his relief at being allowed to return to his career, unhampered by the electronic surveillance ankle bracelet he was ordered to wear after his indictment. The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office declined to try Broadus or Lee a second time on the unresolved voluntary manslaughter charges, but legal issues remained. Woldemariam's family filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against Broadus. The suit was confidentially settled out of court for an undisclosed sum in August 1996, nearly three years to the day Woldemariam died.

Tom Smith

Suggestions for Further Reading

Dogg, Snoop, with David Seay. Tha Doggfather. New York: William Morrow & Company, 1999.

Pertman, Adam. "Simpson Case Comparisons As Rap Star Goes on Trial." Boston Globe (November 27, 1995): 21.

Senna, Danzy and Fleming, Charles. "A New Star Gets a Murder Rap." Newsweek (September 20, 1993): 54.

White, Michael. "Jury Clears Rapper and Bodyguard of Murder Charge." Associated Press (February 21, 1996).

Additional topics

Law Library - American Law and Legal InformationNotable Trials and Court Cases - 1995 to PresentSnoop Doggy Dogg Trial: 1995-96 - A Rising Rap Star, Murder Was The Charge, Jury Frees Snoop Dogg, Suggestions For Further Reading