C-Murder Trial Investigated for Judge’s Wrongdoing

A special panel has been put together to investigate two judges who presided over the murder trial of New Orleans rapper C-Murder.

The rapper is currently serving a life sentence for the 2002 shooting death of a 16-year-old fan. Last week, a subpoena "concerning a judge" was filed in C-Murder's controversial case, seeking certified copies of "the indictment, minute entries and any recusal orders."

While the inquiry may not prove to turn up any wrongdoing, it is speculated that the investigation concerns a 2008 re-election bid by Judge Martha Sassone, who presided over C-Murder's case while running for election.

The Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee has also ruled that Judge Sassone's opponent in the 2008 election, Judge Ellen Kovach, who won the election, crossed ethical lines during her campaign by using C-Murder's case to attack Sassone in her campaign ads. Upon election, Kovach promptly recused herself from the case.

Sassone and Kovach have yet to comment on the investigations. C-Murder is currently attempting to appeal the case yet again.