Two young men and two teenage boys were charged Monday with killing rap artist Pop Smoke during a robbery at a Hollywood Hills home nearly five months ago.
Corey Walker, 19, and Keandre Rodgers, 18, were expected to be arraigned Monday afternoon on capital murder charges stemming from the Feb. 19 killing of the 20-year-old, New York-based rapper, whose real name was Bashar Jackson.
A special circumstance allegation that the murder was committed during the commission of a robbery and burglary means that, if convicted as charged, Walker and Rodgers would be eligible for a death sentence. Prosecutors will decide later whether to pursue the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole for the defendants, who are also facing gang and gun allegations.
Two boys aged 15 and 17 were charged with murder and robbery in juvenile court, according to the District Attorney's office. Their names were withheld because they are underage.
Officers went to 2033 Hercules Drive in the Hollywood Hills about 4 a.m. in response to a 911 call and found the mortally injured rapper, who was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Los Angeles police said last week, when making five arrests in the case, that investigators believed the men and boys entered Jackson's short-term rental home and shot and robbed him inside. Investigators believe the suspects are "members of a Los Angeles street gang,'' according to police.
Walker, Rodgers and Jaquan Murphy, 21, were arrested Thursday and held on $1 million bail.
Online jail records show that Murphy remains in custody, but shows no pending court date and does not indicate where he is being held.
Source: NBC Los Angeles
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