Rap lyrics were used to help send a man to death row. It’s not the first time

NewsWorldAmericasRap lyrics were used to help send a man to death row. It’s not the first timeJudges often exclude other forms of creative expression from being used as evidence – but rap lyrics continue to be usedMaria Sherman & Claudia LauerFriday 24 April 2026 14:17 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:2964330To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/rap-lyrics-on-trial-james-broadnax-b2964345.html","title":"Rap lyrics were used to help send a man to death row. It’s not the first time"}}open image in gallery{"id":"trigger-autogallery-1941","index":0}Kemba, a rapper featured in the documentary ‘As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial’ (© 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.)The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"...