Rapper Corey 'C-Murder' Miller was sentenced to life in prison Friday morning for killing 16-year-old Steve Thomas.With increased security, rapper Corey "C-Murder'' Miller was sentenced to life in prison this morning for killing an Avondale teenager at a Harvey nightclub in 2002.
Pointing toward their parked car,Dolores and George Thomas, parents of the victim, Steve Thomas, leave the Jefferson Parish Courthouse Friday, August 14, 2009 in Gretna after Corey Miller was sentenced to life without parole.This week, a jury found Miller, 38, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Steve Thomas, 16, during a brawl on Jan. 12, 2002 at the now closed Platinum Club in Harvey.
After Judge Hans Liljeberg of the 24th Judicial District Court denied a request from Miller's attorney, Ron Rakosky, for a new trial, the judge heard emotional testimony from Thomas's mother, Dolores Thomas.
"Today is not a happy day,'' she said. "It's only a day of relief because there's nothing we can do to bring my baby back.''
Although it has been seven years since Steve's death, Dolores Thomas said that the pain is still great.
"We still cry everyday for our baby,'' she said. "We never got to see him graduate, go to prom, get married. We won't have a grandchild to love.''
The victim's father, George Thomas, spoke to Miller's family.
"Y'all can see him. Y'all can talk to him. What do we have? All we can look at are photos," George Thomas said.
Liljeberg sentenced Miller to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge then spoke to Thomas's family, saying
"I'm sincerely sorry for your loss.''
Rakosky, who had said that he had not been paid by Miller, said that he would file a motion to withdraw as the rapper's attorney and would not serve as appellate counsel.
Liljeberg granted Rakosky's request and told Miller that he will appoint a public defender until Miller can find money to get his own lawyer. The rapper said that he will be getting one to appeal. Miller, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, was then led out of the courtroom in handcuffs and leg shackles.
After the hearing, Miller's aunt, Marie Miller, said that the family is optimistic about the rapper's future.
"I know everything's going to work out,'' she said."The family is holding out pretty well because we know that this is going to a higher level.''
Before the hearing began, Miller was surrounded by four deputies in the jury box. Another 12 officers were also stationed in the courtroom.
Miller's conviction this week was the second time that a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder. A jury convicted him in 2003, but the presiding judge at the time, Martha Sassone, awarded Miller a new trial, in finding that prosecutors withheld the background information on three of its witnesses from the defense. The state Supreme Court upheld the decision in March 2006, clearing the way for a second trial.
Steve ThomasDuring the trials, Thomas was described by his father as a fan of the rapper and his brother Percy "Master P'' Miller
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