The nephew charged in the shooting of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Benzino has pleaded not guilty. Gai, 36, entered the plea on Monday to a charge of armed assault with intent to murder, according to the Associated Press.
Benzino, whose legal name is Raymond Scott, was shot on Saturday near a funeral procession in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The procession was for Benzino’s mother. Benzino told reporters he stayed away from the funeral because of family tension over money, and that he came upon the procession while driving. The Associated Press reports he was treated for injuries that were not life threatening, and he has since been released from the hospital.
Gai’s lawyer says his client acted in self defense and cooperated with police. According to a police report filed in court and cited by local media, Gai told a state trooper that he feared for his family and that Benzino had threatened him in the days before the shooting. Those are Gai’s claims, and Benzino has not confirmed any of them.
Prosecutors see it differently. They told the court that Gai put other people in danger and that police have no evidence Benzino was armed. Criminal attorney Martin Leppo also told reporters that firing multiple shots at a car does not sound like self defense to him.
Two very different accounts, one court case. The charge is an allegation, and Gai is entitled to his day in court. We will keep you posted as more comes out.
Sources: Associated Press, WBZ CBS Boston, court filings as reported by local media.
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