NJ Supreme Court recently ruled that rap lyrics cannot be used as evidence in a criminal trial against a defendant unless they include a "strong nexus" to the actual crime in question. The case involved a young aspiring rapper who was convicted of attempted murder in 2008. Prior to committing the crime, the young rapper had written violent lyrics years before. The prosecution used the lyrics at trial because the court found that they were relevant to the State's case. A mistrial occurred. A second trial began where a detective read 13 pages of the rapper's violent lyrics. The defendant appealed the trial court's decision to allow the lyrics to be read at trial. The New Jersey Supreme court heard the case and determined that rap lyrics are NOT a crime. The Supreme court also noted that reading the lyrics poisoned the jury against this rapper. The court ordered that the rapper be given a new trial.
To read the case, click below:
State v. Skinner
Decided August 4, 2014
To read the case, click below:
State v. Skinner
Decided August 4, 2014
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