Excerpt: "Hip-Hop Murder Investigation Ends with Weapons Rap
4/15/2006 5:14:45 AM by Robert

The murder, or now shooting death, of hip-hop group D-12 member, rap artist Proof will end in weapons charges for Mario Etheridge instead of murder charges.

Wayne County Michigan Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement "Our investigation in this case is far from over."

Charged with CCW (carrying a concealed weapon) and firing a weapon in a building, Mario Etheridge will appear in 36th District Court Saturday morning to answer the charges.

Wayne County Michigan Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said that without the weapons charges, police officials would have had to release Mario Etheridge. He has been in custody since he turned himself in for being involved in the shooting of the hip-hop rap artist Proof.

If convicted of these weapons charges, Mario Etheridge could face a maximum of 5yrs. on the concealed-weapon charge (CCW) and 4 yrs. on the discharging a weapon charge.

The man D-12 rapper Proof shot Keith Bender, who is Etheridge's cousin, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Rap artist Proof was pronounced DOA at Conner Creek Med Center in Detroit, Mich. Tuesday morning after being shot in an after hours club – Club CCC in Detroit’s Eight Mile."

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