Jailed rapper faces shooting case

Rapper C-Murder had three top 10 solo albums in the US

Rapper Murder-C, who is currently in jail awaiting a retrial for murder, has been indicted for attempting to kill a nightclub owner.

The rapper, real name Corey Miller, is accused of shooting at a man at a club in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2001.

He is awaiting retrial for the unrelated second-degree murder of a 16-year-old in Louisiana in 2002.

Lawyers said they did not know why it had taken three years for the current case to be heard by a grand jury.

They are accusing prosecutors in Baton Rouge of only taking an interest since a retrial of the 2002 murder charge was ordered.

Security tape

According to the arrest warrant, the allegations of attempted murder centre on Mr Miller's alleged unsuccessful attempt to enter a club without being searched.

It is alleged a security tape captured the rapper grabbing his gun and twice pulling the trigger, although a malfunction meant no bullets were fired.

Mr Miller's lawyer, Roy Maughan Jr, said his client denies the allegations.

In September 2003, Mr Miller was jailed for life for the shooting of teenager Steve Thomas outside a Louisiana club.

In April 2004, his appeal for retrial was granted because prosecutors withheld information about witnesses. However the judge said Mr Miller must stay in jail because of the further charges he faced.

C-Murder has had three top 10 solo albums in the US chart since 1998.