Cassidy can expect further legal hassles, as prosecutors plan to refile a first-degree murder charge against the rapper, stemming from an April 15 shooting, in which one man was killed and two wounded.
Although Cassidy, 23, turned himself in on June 17 and is currently being held without bail, prosecutors are arranging for another arrest warrant, according to Cathie Abookire, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham.
Officials suspect that the rapper, whose real name is Barry Reese, was involved in a shooting along with several other assailants, accused of shooting up a van on a street behind Cassidy’s home on West Oak Lane.
Desmond Hawkins, 22, was killed and his friends Bobby Hoyle and Daniel Irvin were wounded in the incident.
Hoyle, who testified that Hawkins was visiting Cassidy’s home to make amends after an earlier argument, said he did not see who fired the shots.
On August 16, Municipal Judge Marsha Neifield ruled that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to charge Cassidy with third-degree murder, attempted murder charges, and weapons offenses.
The case is expected to go before a Common Pleas Court judge, according to Cassidy’s attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., who has continually maintained the rapper’s innocence.
Another preliminary hearing is possible next week.
Cassidy’s sophomore album I’m a Hustla was released June 28 in the midst of his arrest and subsequent legal proceedings.
