A
24th Judicial District Court judge is speaking out concerning her July 13 decision
to release No Limit Records rapper Corey "C-Murder" Miller from a home
incarceration program.In
a three-page order issued Wednesday (Aug. 9), Judge Martha Sassone wrote that
Miller was punished for violating the conditions of his house arrest only once,
despite arguments from prosecutors, who claim Miller violated the program’s rules
several times.Sassone
stated "Mr. Miller has not violated the conditions of his bond, including
the home incarceration" after carefully reviewing reports and evidence covering
Miller’s time out on bond.The
explanation is the latest in the ongoing saga surrounding Miller, who is charged
with second-degree murder in the Jan. 12, 2002 slaying of Steve Thomas. The 16-year-old
was shot in the chest in the now-closed Platinum Club in Harvey. If
convicted as charged, Miller would spend the rest of his life in prison.Although
he was convicted of the crime, Sassone sided with Miller’s attorneys as she granted
the rhymesayer a new trial. Attorneys believe the district attorney’s office withheld
criminal background information about witnesses. The information, they argued,
could have helped Miller’s defense.In
March, the state Supreme Court upheld Sassone’s order for a new trial. She later
set bail and ordered Miller into house arrest as a condition of bond, despite
objections from prosecutors.The
written explanation comes nearly a month after Sassone gave Miller a 10 p.m. to
6 p.m. nightly curfew instead of house arrest. Although
she ordered the curfew, Sassone retained the $500,000 bond she set on March 15.
Miller is also barred from drinking alcohol, has restrictions on visitors to his
residence and must stay in Jefferson and Orleans parishes.