Calif. jury acquits man in killing of rapper Dolla

The man accused of killing up-and-coming rapper Dolla during a shooting last year at a crowded, upscale Los Angeles mall has been acquitted.

Jurors rejected prosecutors arguments that the killing of Roderick Anthony Burton II, was cold-blooded and an act of revenge.

Burton and his accused shooter, Aubrey Louis Berry, had been involved in a fight at an Atlanta club less than two weeks prior to the shooting last May.

Berry’s attorney had argued the shooting was an act of self-defense, emphasizing that Burton glorified a violent gang lifestyle in his lyrics and online videos.

Prosecutors painted Berry as a killer who methodically killed Burton, then ordered a valet to retrieve his rented vehicle while still holding his gun.

In closing arguments Monday, prosecutors claimed Berry had no remorse.

“Defendant Berry murdered Roderick Burton in cold blood, then tried to escape to Atlanta,” prosecutors said.

“Berry brought the gun to a business lunch at the mall. The men spotted each other at a restaurant and exchanged words in the valet area.”

Prosecutors said Berry drove around Burton as he was dying and began to plan his escape.

Berry’s Defense Attorney Howard Price, however, painted a starkly different picture of Berry.

The college-educated Berry said he worked in commercial marketing in the music industry, and “never killed anything” growing up.

Price said Berry opened fire in self-defense because Burton threatened to kill him and he feared he had a gun.

He contented his client was fearful because he believed the rapper had gang ties.

The jury on Friday found Berry not guilty of first degree murder and all other charges, including assault with a firearm.