The rapper (born Corey Miller) will be arraigned next week in the Jefferson Parish district of Louisiana. C-Murder, who at the advice of his lawyer chose not to post bail and has been held since Jan. 18 at the Jefferson Correctional Facility in Gretna, Louisiana, plans to plead not guilty to the charge. The rapper stands accused of killing Thomas with a single gunshot to the chest during an argument at the Platinum Club in Harvey. According to a statement from C-Murder's record label and legal defense, there is not enough existing evidence to convict the rapper, who is claiming that police arrested the wrong man. While there were about 200 people inside the club at the time of the Jan. 12 killing, eyewitness accounts differ on the identity of the shooter. "Many witnesses who were present on the night of the shooting ... have confirmed that it was not C-Murder they saw fire the gun," the statement reads. "Also, the initial reports to the police via 911 calls were that the perpetrator was unknown. In addition, the police reports from the scene stated the perpetrator was a named teenager from the West Bank. Miller is not a teenager, never resided on the West Bank and is a very recognizable personality, especially in his home state of Louisiana. Lastly, the first witness that claimed Miller committed the offense originally told the police a different story and identified a different person." C-Murder's attorneys are asking for a quick trial, according to the statement, meaning that the trial could get underway in as early as 120 days. If convicted of second-degree murder, C-Murder faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Meanwhile, a lawyer for Thomas' family said that they were "very pleased" that C-Murder has been indicted. The family plans to file a wrongful death suit "very soon, most likely by next week."
C-Murder Indicted For Murder
By Mark Allwood, BETi Music News 
Posted Mar. 5, 2002 -- C-Murder, who, as we previously reported, was arrested in January for allegedly fatally shooting 16-year-old Steve Thomas in a Harvey, Louisiana nightclub, was indicted last Thursday (Feb. 28) on the charge of second-degree murder, reports MTV News.