C-MURDER CHANGES HIS NAME

LATEST: Imprisoned rapper C-MURDER is changing his name because he thinks his savage moniker has caused him all kinds of trouble.

The hip-hop star, real name COREY MILLER, will announce his stage name change to C-MILLER at a press conference staged by his attorney in Louisiana tomorrow (06APR05).

His lawyer, RON ROKOSKY, will use tomorrow's conference to announce details of a lawsuit the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED (corr) PEOPLE (NAACP) has filed on his client's behalf against the State of Louisiana for alleged violation of the rapper's civil and constitutional rights.

Miller was denied an appeal against his conviction last week (ends01APR04) and now faces life imprisonment for his part in the murder of a 16-year-old in 2003.

Rokosky argued that his client's trial should be restaged because some witnesses for the prosecution lied during their testimony.

He says, "Corey Miller is entitled to a new trial. The fact of the matter is Corey Miller was tried, found guilty and sentenced based on the testimony of witnesses who admittedly perjured themselves. There is no physical evidence in this case. We requested a new trial - something which has never been done before in the history of Louisiana law."

Miller insists he has become a target for lawmakers because of his stage name and reputation: "From the beginning, I have been a target because of who I am, my stage name and for my success as an entertainer and the success of my siblings.

"People hear the name C-Murder and they don't realise that the name simply means that I have seen many murders in my native Calliope Projects neighbourhood. I am not a murderer.

"For this reason, I formally change my stage name to C Miller, the first initial of my name and my legal last name, in hopes that I can finally receive justice."