Did rap video indict alleged Burlington shooter?

No doubt, artistic expression is not being protected by the First Amendment when it comes to rap lyrics. According to CBS News lyrics have been used in more than 500 cases against artists since 1991. Reporter Ike Bendavid found out music videos are being played in courtrooms in Vermont, too.

 

Looking back at New Year’s Eve in 2021 - just moments before midnight, a family fight inside a St. Louis Street home ended in gunfire. Burlington Police say the dispute over a gun prompted 20-year-old Bonide Badibanga to fire several rounds, injuring his brother. Several days later, Badibanga turned himself in to the police.

“What happened on New Year’s Eve was a person being struck. That was an attempted murder,” Burlington Police Acting Chief Jon Murad said following the arrest.

The aspiring rap artist has a criminal history including assault and weapons-related charges from when he was a juvenile and a judge ordered him to be held without bail for attempted murder.

Read more here https://www.wcax.com/2023/01/11/did-rap-video-keep-alleged-burlington-shooter-behind-bars/