Despite making a detailed confession last month, former Bad Boy rapper G-Dep (Trevell Coleman) has pleaded not guilty to the 1993 shooting that killed 32 year old John Henkel.
In December, G-Dep walked into New York’s 25th Precinct, confessing that he had shot Henkel in a botched robbery attempt at East Harlem’s James Weldon Johnson projects. The rapper was 18 at the time, and was never a suspect in the slaying, which had remained a cold case. He’s maintained that the confession was made to clear his conscience and “get right with God.”
Police checked his story against case facts, and promptly charged G-Dep with murder, who in turn was surprised to find out his victim had died.
According to the Wall Street Journal, G-Dep’s not guilty plea is simply a “procedural step” to allow the rapper’s lawyer, Anthony Ricco, time to review the jailhouse confession. He is expected to argue that his client, who’s struggled with drug addiction for many years, made the confession with under the influence of narcotics.
“We want to make sure we’re dealing with the reality of what actually happened that night,” Ricco told the Wall Street Journal. “Some will call what he did stupid, but I think he’s doing it to get things right between himself and God.”
G-Dep is being held without bail, and faces charges of second degree murder, manslaughter, and criminal use of a firearm. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.
The next court date is scheduled for February 10.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 