Rap Producer Claims He's Unfairly Linked To Officer's Murder
By Chris Richburg
Rap producer Christopher Hicks was arrested Friday (Feb. 17 2006) in connection to the murder of a California highway patrol officer.
Sacramento's Modesto Bee reported that Hicks unwittingly became linked to the murder suspect, 30-year-old Columbus Junior Allen II.
Hicks, a veteran producer who has worked on movie soundtracks, is best known for his collaborations with rappers Dru Down and Da Luniz for their classic hit, "I Got 5 On It."
Authorities believe Allen shot Earl Scott, a 36-year-old CHP officer.
As of Sunday (Feb. 19), the investigation was still pending, said Sgt. Mike Parker, a spokesman for the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.
According to the Bee, while on his way to Oakland International Airport Friday morning, Hicks dropped Allen off at a gas station, hours after Scott was found dead on Highway 99.
It was there that police arrested Hicks on unrelated misdemeanor drug and weapons charges.
He was released Saturday (Feb. 1 night after posting nearly $57,000 bail.
Although officials described Hicks as a "material witness," not a suspect, Hicks told the paper that the distinction might mislead some people.
"A lot of people know me and know my name, and this is a definite infliction on my character," said Hicks, who was arrested while waiting to fly to Houston for the NBA All-Star Game. "I'm being treated like some sort of cop killer when I didn't know anything about it."
Despite admitting to seeing Allen on occasion, Hicks thought Allen had potential as a rapper for his label, C-Note Records.
"The guy had talent, so I wasn't going to turn my back," said Hicks.
Although he doesn't know exactly why Allen came to him, Hicks believes the circumstances--being at the airport and making contact with Allen that morning--paint a picture of him being more involved than he was.
"It made it seem like I was his accomplice and I was trying to flee or get out of town," Hicks told the paper. "I was just part of this crazy situation I didn't know anything about."
The murder of a peace officer is one of 22 special circumstances in which prosecutors can seek a death sentence, The Bee reported.
Allen is being held without bail in Stanislaus County Jail and will likely be arraigned on first-degree murder charges Tuesday (Feb. 21) or Wednesday (Feb. 22).
By Chris Richburg
Rap producer Christopher Hicks was arrested Friday (Feb. 17 2006) in connection to the murder of a California highway patrol officer.
Sacramento's Modesto Bee reported that Hicks unwittingly became linked to the murder suspect, 30-year-old Columbus Junior Allen II.
Hicks, a veteran producer who has worked on movie soundtracks, is best known for his collaborations with rappers Dru Down and Da Luniz for their classic hit, "I Got 5 On It."
Authorities believe Allen shot Earl Scott, a 36-year-old CHP officer.
As of Sunday (Feb. 19), the investigation was still pending, said Sgt. Mike Parker, a spokesman for the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.
According to the Bee, while on his way to Oakland International Airport Friday morning, Hicks dropped Allen off at a gas station, hours after Scott was found dead on Highway 99.
It was there that police arrested Hicks on unrelated misdemeanor drug and weapons charges.
He was released Saturday (Feb. 1 night after posting nearly $57,000 bail.
Although officials described Hicks as a "material witness," not a suspect, Hicks told the paper that the distinction might mislead some people.
"A lot of people know me and know my name, and this is a definite infliction on my character," said Hicks, who was arrested while waiting to fly to Houston for the NBA All-Star Game. "I'm being treated like some sort of cop killer when I didn't know anything about it."
Despite admitting to seeing Allen on occasion, Hicks thought Allen had potential as a rapper for his label, C-Note Records.
"The guy had talent, so I wasn't going to turn my back," said Hicks.
Although he doesn't know exactly why Allen came to him, Hicks believes the circumstances--being at the airport and making contact with Allen that morning--paint a picture of him being more involved than he was.
"It made it seem like I was his accomplice and I was trying to flee or get out of town," Hicks told the paper. "I was just part of this crazy situation I didn't know anything about."
The murder of a peace officer is one of 22 special circumstances in which prosecutors can seek a death sentence, The Bee reported.
Allen is being held without bail in Stanislaus County Jail and will likely be arraigned on first-degree murder charges Tuesday (Feb. 21) or Wednesday (Feb. 22).
