Baton Rouge rapper Lil Phat was tragically gunned down last summer at the young age of 19. There has been a lot of progress in the search for the killers recently, and now it's been reported by Channel 2 News that three of the four men charged in the murder are now in custody, one of which is a former Russian mobster.
Mani Chulpayev is allegedly responsible for hiring a hit on the rapper, to silence him regarding information he had on some shady car deals that were taking place. Phat had purchased at least one vehicle from Chulpayev, whose business consisted of re-selling stolen cars.
The mobster's lawyer, George Plumides insists his client is innocent and there is no substantial evidence to suugest otherwise. "Mani had nothing against this kid, and grieved when he found out he got killed,” he said. “They put him out of business and they have nothing.”
View the full news report below.
[Update: Bay Area Basketball Player Arrested For Lil Phat's Murder]
As reported by AllHipHop, it seems 25-year-old Pacifica, California native Decensae White, aspiring rapper and leading scorer for San Francisco State University’s basketball team, is now is now a suspect in the murder of Lil' Phat. According to NBC Bay Area, he's been extradited from San Mateo County to Fulton County, Georgia to face formal charges.
White and Chulayev are two of five people indicted on charges including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, criminal participation in gang activity and felony murder. The others are DeAndre Washington, Gary Bradford, and Maurice Conner. Fulton County officials claim they hired hit men to assassinate Phat over drug-related issues.
“We are in total shock right now... He is the most non-violent person I’ve ever known in my life. This is beyond anyone’s comprehension” said David White, Decensae’s father.
White will face formal charges in Fulton County court on May 31.