Rapper Tiny Doo facing long prison sentence over lyrics

CNN ^ | 01/23/2015 | Emma Lacey-Bordeaux

[Responsibility2nd]

Song lyrics that glorify violence are hardly uncommon. But a prosecutor in California says one rapper's violent lyrics go beyond creative license to conspiracy.

San Diego-based rapper Tiny Doo has already spent eight months in prison, and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted under a little-known California statute that makes it illegal to benefit from gang activities.

The statute in question is California Penal Code 182.5. The code makes it a felony for anyone to participate in a criminal street gang, have knowledge that a street gang has engaged in criminal activity, or benefit from that activity.

It's that last part -- benefiting from criminal activity -- that prosecutors are going after the rapper for.

Tiny Doo, whose real name is Brandon Duncan, faces nine counts of criminal street gang conspiracy because prosecutors allege he and 14 other alleged gang members increased their stature and respect following a rash of shootings in the city in 2013.

[Responsibility2nd]

All right now. Who has the Tiny Doo Ping List?

[cripplecreek]

Is a tiny doo like a small turd or little afro?

[WayneS]

Apparently they are running out of “rapper” names.

[Vigilanteman]

Is Tiny Doo something that squeezes out of a tiny dog like a Toy Poodle or Chihuahua?

[WayneS]

A small turd with a little afro?

[WayneS]

...or a Shit-zu?

[Responsibility2nd]

Also FTA 

CNN Legal Analyst Mark Geragos says the district attorney may be trying to send a message "that you shouldn't glorify or glamorize gang activity."

"The problem is you're going to run straight head-on into the First  Amendment," he said. "If they don't have anything other than the album, this case I don't think would ever stand up."

 

So. Does Mr. Doo have 1st Amendment Rights here?

[dfwgator]

Sentencing someone for lyrics is going to take you down a very slippery slope.

[WayneS]

...a little-known California statute that makes it illegal to benefit from gang activities.

That's one statute that needs to become a little better know.

[Cubs Fan]

Is a tiny doo like a small turd

If so he's most appropriately named rapper I've heard of yet.

[Defiant]

This can’t possibly stand 1st amendment muster. If it does, watch out, Tea Party, aka Domestic Terrorists.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I have the Tiny Poo Ding List.

But that’s not what you asked for, is it?

[Uversabound]

white interpretation:
small bowel movement?

It is friday for gosh sakes and I am White.

Now that is funny.

[WayneS]

Indeed.

They should probably abandon this case and charge him under the Stupid Rap-Name Reduction Act of 1997.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

He don’t look too tiny. More like Tiny Dooghnuts.

[RansomOttawa]

San Diego-based rapper Tiny Doo has already spent eight months in prison, and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted under a little-known California statute that makes it illegal to benefit from gang activities.

Comeuppance? Tiny Doo must still be aspiring.

[null and void]

So. Does Mr. Doo have 1st Amendment Rights here?

Yes. The same rights you and I have. As long as he doesn't offend islam he can say anything he wants. </obama>

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Tiny Doo AKA Little Shit.

[NativeSon]

Sorry but this is bull, he had nothing to do with the crime and his "music" is just the same old rap-cr@p. Tossing him jail using that anti-gang law will create a bad precedent.

On the other hand, the next time some anti-gvn group goes out fund raising by mentioning the latest criminal actions using a gvn, could they be thrown in jail for profiting on the crimes?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

TINY DOG DOO?