(AllHipHop News) An argument with a pedestrian in Los Angeles has resulted in prison time for Swedish rapper Dave Monopoly.
The 35-year-old entertainer (born David Moses Jassy) was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on Thursday (March 4) for second-degree murder and other crimes. The court ruling concluded a case that stemmed from a heated encounter Jassy had with 55-year-old John Osnes in 2008. According to prosecutors, Los Angeles-based jazz pianist banged on the hood of Jassy’s rented SUV when it stopped inside a crosswalk in Los Angeles.
The confrontation turned violent, according to authorities, as Jassy punched Osnes in the face, delivered a “brutal kick” to his head when the activist bent down to pick up his glasses and ran over him as he drove away. The confrontation proved fatal for Osnes, who died in November 2008.
Jassy, who was convicted in February of second-degree murder and assault and battery, testified that he never intended to hurt Osnes. According to the rapper, he was defending himself and his girlfriend after Osnes banged on the hood of the SUV. Fearing for his life, Jassy stated he got out of the SUV in order to see what happened to SUV. In his eyes, Jassy believed the encounter with Osnes was “going to be an argument, not a fight.”
Although witnesses had tried to stop him, police stated that Jassy drove away from the scene of the incident. The rapper was eventually arrested after authorities traced him through the rented SUV’s license plate.
During the course of the trial, Jassy became emotional as he cried when telling the court he did not know Osnes had died until police informed him the following day.
Despite the convictions, Jassy was acquitted of two other counts, including assault with a deadly weapon. The entertainer claimed to have sung with and written several songs for High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale as well as worked with Swedish, German and other international pop artists.