Much has been made
of C-Murder’s (Corey Miller) suggestive name, but the rapper has adjusted
the moniker after being convicted in the shooting death of a 16 year old. He
will now be called C. Miller, based on his real name.
While he’s
proclaimed his innocence, he said that the general public has never known the
true meaning behind his rap handle. "I am not a murderer," he said
in a statement.
"From the
beginning, I have been a target because of who I am, my stage name and for my
success as an entertainer and the success of my siblings. People hear the name
C-Murder and they don’t realize that the name simply means that I have seen
many murders in my native Calliope projects neighborhood,” said the rapper.
A retrial of Miller’s
murder case was recently overturned and he now faces a mandatory life sentence.
He and his lawyer, Ron Rakosky, are in the process of appealing the decision
according to the Associated Press.
Additionally, the
NAACP is plotting a federal lawsuit for Miller, because they say his lack of
a retrial violates his civil and constitutional rights.
"Corey Miller
is entitled to a new trial. The fact of the matter is Corey Miller was tried,
found guilty and sentenced based on the testimony of witnesses who admittedly
perjured themselves," Miller’s attorney, Ron Rokosky said. "There
is no physical evidence in this case. We requested a new trial. A judge reviewed
the case finding countless legal errors and in the interest of justice she ordered
a new trial ultimately overturning his conviction. Even though this judge acted
properly, the Appellate Court is still denying Miller a new trial, which has
never been done before in the history of Louisiana law and is a clear violation
of Miller’s civil and constitutional rights."
Millers lawyers
and the NAACP will announce what step to take next, while Miller once again
denied the murder charges.
"I formally
change my stage name to C Miller, the first initial of my name and my legal
last name, in hopes that I can finally receive justice," Miller said. "I
am not asking for any special treatment or favors, I just want what is due to
me… a fair and impartial trial."
C Miller’s latest
album release THE TRUEST S*** I EVER SAID debuted at #1 on the Billboard
Independent Chart.
