A mysterious new YouTube video reportedly showing the death of a prominent YouTube celebrity has derailed the trial of his alleged killer.
The video allegedly shows Anthony Barre, who became famous on YouTube as rapper “Messy Mya,” being killed the night of Nov. 14, 2010 in New Orleans after leaving a friend’s baby shower.
The video was brought to the attention to Criminal District Judge Frank Marullo Monday by a courtroom worker. The lawyers for Jason Baptiste Hamilton, who is charged with second-degree murder, and the prosecutors representing Barre’s family have not seen the video.
After news of the video reached the courtroom, prosecutors dropped the murder charge against Hamilton and filed a new charge of manslaughter before the jury was sworn in, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported. This was a way to keep Hamilton in police custody until a new trial is set.
“Oddly, word of the alleged YouTube video came out on Friday after Hamilton’s defense attorney, Martin Regan, declared that he would present an alibi defense,” the Times-Picayune added.
On YouTube, Barre was known for his braggadocio, gruff demeanor and long curly hair. He joined the site in 2008 and built a reputation as an unabashed rapper whose music videos often featured men and women shaking their rears around New Orleans. Barre’s YouTube channel has collected about 9 million views to date.
Barre is the grandson of businessman Stan “Pampy” Barre who was recently released from jail after serving five years for “skimming more than $1 million from a City Hall energy contract,” the Times-Picayune reported.
Photo via YouTube