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FBI End B.I.G. Murder Probe 


03-13-05
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(antiMUSIC) The FBI has closed their investigation into the murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G., according to the Los Angeles Times. The FBI probe reportedly focused on a Los Angeles police officer and rap music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight as the primary suspects.  B.I.G. was murdered on March 9, 1997 following an industry party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Controversy around the murder abounds with accusations of an organized cover-up by B.I.G.'s mother, Voletta Wallace. Wallace is suing the city of Los Angeles for wrongful-death and claims that the Los Angeles Police Department has covered up police involvement in the murder by a reported rogue officer.  That case goes to trial on April 12th and may have contributed to the FBI shutting down their investigation. 

The lead agent in the FBI investigation, Philip J. Carson, has been subpoenaed to testify at the Wallace trial. The investigation reportedly was shutdown shortly after the FBI discovered that Carson had met with Wallace's attorneys. 

Wallace's attorney, Perry Sanders, claims that an unidentified source said that the LAPD pressured the FBI to end their investigation. The FBI denied the allegation. Louis J. Caprino Jr., acting head of the criminal division of the FBI's Los Angeles field office said that they closed the investigation in January after they determined that "there was no basis for prosecution" and that Carson's meetings with attorneys for Wallace was not a factor in shutting down the probe, according to an MTV report. 

The FBI has reportedly informed Wallace's attorneys that agent Carson would not testify and they have ordered the agent to cut off all contact with Wallace's legal team. 

The LAPD investigation into the murder remains open. 
 
 

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