Hurricane Chris Acquitted of Murder Charges in Highly Publicized Trial

Christopher Dooley

Louisiana rapper Hurricane Chris, whose real name is Christopher Dooley, has been acquitted of all charges in a highly publicized murder trial.

Dooley, 34, had been indicted by a Caddo Parish grand jury for second-degree murder in connection with the June 2020 slaying of Danzeria Farris Jr., 32, at a Texaco station in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In a statement following the verdict, Dooley expressed gratitude to those who supported him during the ordeal.

"I wanna thank God, my attorneys at the Washington & Wells Law Firm, and my family for standing with me as my life was on the line," he said. "They wanted to give me life if I was found guilty. Now I can hug my son and think about raising him to be a man. This situation drained me and affected my health greatly. God, I give you all the glory. I got my life back, and words can’t explain how I feel. Thanks to everyone who wished me well."

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Dooley's attorney, Alex J. Washington, maintained that his client acted in self-defense.

"He was simply trying not to be killed. When the guy put his hand in his pocket, he was faced with a decision: should I leave my life in this guy's hands? Or, should I make a decision?," Washington said. "And he made a decision to save his own life and he pulled the trigger."

This moment caught by Christopher Dooley’s legal team was immediately following the verdict. Dooley’s mother Stephanie George says this is the start of what she says is their plan to “move on”. #HurricaneChris #trialwatch @ksla #ksla pic.twitter.com/PasYbocIIt

— Alexandria Savage KSLA (@APsavageNews) March 15, 2023

Dooley was also charged with illegal possession of a stolen 2016 Mercedes, but his attorney explained that the car was purchased with an ex-girlfriend who reported it stolen after they broke up. The rapper was acquitted on those charges as well.

In response to the verdict, the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office issued a statement.

"The same evidence that the grand jury got is the same evidence that we presented to the jury on Tuesday, and they decided there was nothing there," said Ivy Woodard, a spokeswoman for the office.

Hurricane Chris rose to fame in the mid-2000s with hits such as "A Bay Bay" and "Halle Berry (She's Fine)." He has collaborated with notable artists, including Lil Wayne, Ludacris and Plies.

The Urban Legend is True: Michael Jackson's Vocals Featured on Jay-Z's 'Girls, Girls, Girls (Remix),' According to Just Blaze

Renowned Roc-A-Fella producer Just Blaze has revealed that the late Michael Jackson lent his vocal talents to the once-mythical "Girls, Girls, Girls (Remix)" with Jay-Z.

In an interview with Bloomberg's Idea Generation, Blaze said he discovered rare vocals from the "Thriller" icon on his personal computer during quarantine.

We’re taking it back to the iconic @Hot97 Summer Jam moment when Hov brought out Michael Jackson! #HipHopAwards #TBT pic.twitter.com/YL6loJEpa3

— #HipHopAwards (@HipHopAwards) October 22, 2020

"I thought it was an urban legend or something that Jay said like in jest one day or just was some kind of a myth," Blaze recalled. "And I realize as I’m listening to it it’s him singing on ‘Girls, Girls, Girls.’ And I’m like … ‘It’s true.’ The last 20 years, I just found it during quarantine. So all these years, I’ve never known it was a real thing. And turns out the files had been sitting downstairs this entire time."

Blaze produced the single, which originally featured on Jay-Z's 2001 masterpiece, "The Blueprint," and peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The revelation only adds to the memorable moments between Jackson and Jay-Z during the early 2000s, which included the King of Pop's surprise appearance at Jay-Z's headlining set at Hot 97's Summer Jam concert in 2001 and Jay-Z's cameo on Jackson's "You Rock My World (Remix)."

Watch the entire interview below:

Legendary R&B Singer Bobby Caldwell Passes Away at 71

Legendary R&B singer Bobby Caldwell, known for his chart-topping hits "What You Won't Do For Love" and "Open Your Eyes," has died at the age of 71.

Caldwell's wife Mary confirmed his death on Wednesday via his official Twitter account.

Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years. He had been "FLOXED," it took his health over the last 6 years and 2 months. Rest with God, my Love. -Mary Caldwell

— Bobby Caldwell (@bobbycaldwell) March 15, 2023

"Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years," she wrote.

RIP Bobby Caldwell 🫡🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yNzNmrT5sB

— DJ P👀H (@DJPooh) March 15, 2023

Caldwell had been suffering from health issues for the past six years after experiencing an adverse reaction to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, a condition known as "floxed," according to treatment center Regenerative Medicine LA.

Born on August 15, 1951, in New York City, Caldwell was known for his unique ability to blend jazz, R&B and pop into his music.

His soulful hits, including "What You Won't Do for Love," "My Flame" and "Coming Down From Love," earned him worldwide recognition and numerous accolades, including a 1978 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance.

Caldwell's music has been sampled by a wide range of artists, including 2Pac, Aaliyah, Kendrick Lamar, the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil Nas X.

Perhaps his most famous track, "What You Won't Do For Love," appeared on his double-platinum self-titled debut album.