Snoop Dogg has been granted a motion to seal his 1993 murder conviction — 28 years after he was acquitted of shooting a gang member.
The rapper, now 52, and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, are charged with the 1993 shooting death of gang member Phillip Voltemeriam in Palms Woodbine Park. Los Angeles in August 1993 – and went to trial in 1996 on first- and second-degree murder charges.
The release of Snoop's debut album came just before his highly publicized trial and since his destruction, the Drop It Like It's Hot hitmaker has continued to enjoy massive mainstream success.
Legal documents obtained by TMZ confirmed Snoop – real name Calvin Cordozer Broadus Jr. – asked a judge to seal the records in January 2024 – and the court signed off on the request in late February.
Sealing the payment means that the record is hidden from the public and does not appear in the background Checks for employment, housing and education.
Motion to Seal Snoop Dogg's 1993 Murder Conviction Granted – 28 Years After He Was Acquitted of Shooting a Gang Member – Picture February 2024
The rapper and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, were charged with the August 1993 shooting death of mobster Phillip Voltemeriam at Palms Woodbine Park in Los Angeles. Accused of murder in 1996 – the pair are pictured looking like they were acquitted
Snoop attended the same school as Cameron Diaz in LA, but it was his desire for money that saw the former singer's career take a definite downward spiral as he joined the notorious LA gang, the Crips, 'got into drugs and guns' and started dealing cocaine.
Shortly after graduating high school in 1989, he was arrested for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover police officer.
He was in and out of prison for drug and gun offenses over the next few years. Fellow members of the Crips encouraged him to become a professional rapper. The move paid off – he became a rap superstar.
In 1993, he was accused of being an accessory to the shooting death of a rival gang member who was allegedly killed by one of the star's bodyguards.
Snoop was driving the car that was shot, prosecutors said. Despite the accusation, he was controversially allowed to tour Britain. A tabloid headline proclaimed, 'Kick this evil'.
Snoop later – and unusually – claimed that the late Queen had personally intervened in the measures to keep him out of Britain.
Snoop – then 24 – was seen shaking his hands in prayer as he and his bodyguard were released.
Jurors acquitted both of one count of conspiracy to commit assault in connection with Voltemariam's death.
Image: Snoop's mugshot released by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1993
The star was pictured with Tupac Shakur in September 1996 – after his release and just days before Tupac was murdered.
Snoop – who was out on $1 million bail along with Lee – told the LA Times after his release: ;They made the right decision, you know what I mean?
'It has been an ordeal that has affected our lives for the last 2 1/2 years. I was wondering if I was going to be here to raise my son.'
The father of four is also parents to Korte, 29, Cordell, 27, and Corey, 25, from his 27-year marriage to Shande Broadus, and son Julian, 26, from a former relationship with Laurie Holmond.
Snoop and Zhante first met as teenagers while attending Long Beach Polytechnic High School in the Long Beach neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Their romance included dancing together before graduation in 1989 and their high school prom.
The star became one of the most successful musicians of all time and rehabilitated his image
He was a full-fledged hip-hop star by the time he and Shante decided to tie the knot on June 14, 1997 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Like most relationships, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Snoop and Xanthe, who split briefly in 2004 but eventually reunited and eventually renewed their vows four years later in 2008.
“I thought I was the man, and I was willing to give up being home for it until I realized that what I had was irreplaceable,” the 17-time Grammy nominee admitted to PEOPLE of their reconciliation.
