Rapper T.I. will take the stand today in the murder trial of his former assistant and friend, Philant Johnson, who was shot and killed two years ago.
Johnson was murdered outside a Cincinnati nightclub, after an altercation inside Club Ritz, where T.I. (real name Clifford Harris) was holding an afterparty. According to several witnesses, the alleged gunmen were present at club Bogart’s where T.I. had performed earlier. Supposedly, T.I. threw money out into the audience during his act, and tensions mounted. Johnson was 26-years-old.
On Tuesday, jury visited the crime scene in Ohio. On Wednesday, the trial begin. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the primary suspect is a 35-year-old man name Hosea Thomas. Assistant Prosecutor Heather Gosselin said that Thomas was hit upside the head with a bottle at the afterparty, after he attempted to enter the V.I.P. area with the rapper’s entourage.
Prosecutors told jurors that Thomas and his 40-year-old brother Padron Thomas, started shooting at the two vans carrying T.I. and his entourage while they drove down Interstate 75.
Both Hosea and Padron were arrested in June. Padron has agreed to testify against his brother, for reduced charges of manslaughter as opposed to murder.
Hosea Thomas has been charged with murder, and seven counts of felonious assault.
UPDATE: Watch T.I.'s Full Testimony
home