Hip-hop artist asks judge to reduce murder charge
The attorney for a hip-hop artist accused of beating a jazz pianist to death in what’s been called a real-life version of the film “Crash” asked today that charges be reduced from murder to manslaughter.
In papers filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the lawyer suggested that David Jassy, a 35-year-old Swedish citizen who recorded with Ashley Tisdale and other pop acts, acted in self-defense when he punched and kicked John Osnes, 55, during a November confrontation in a Hollywood crosswalk.
“A motorist is not required to sit passively in his vehicle while a pedestrian strikes the vehicle and yells at him, and wait and see if the stranger’s anger escalates,” lawyer Alec Rose wrote.
According to witnesses, Osnes, a pedestrian, struck the hood of Jassy’s SUV after it came close to hitting him as he attempted to cross the street.The witnesses said Jassy exited his vehicle, hit Osnes with his fist, kicked him in the head and then drove over him.
A judge previously ruled that the kick alone demonstrated the malice required for a murder charge, but Rose wrote that it was part of Jassy’s larger attempt to protect himself, his female passenger and his vehicle.
“There is no requirement for a person exercising self-defense to stop and reassess after every single move whether the antagonist has given up,” he wrote.
Witnesses have told police that Jassy quarreled with his girlfriend just before the incident and became angry when Osnes touched his rented vehicle. A judge is to rule on the motion next month.
-- Harriet Ryan
Photo: Rapper David Jassy, at a preliminary hearing in March, is charged with murder in the death of a pedestrian in a confrontation in Hollywood in November. Credit: Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press
What kind of drugs was Jassy on that night? And what kind of drugs is his defense attorney on now? The self-defense argument is preposterous.
If I am out late in Hollywood and someone verbally threatens me, I know better than to get out of my car, kick the person in the head and run over him. Yeah, maybe the Swede doesn't understand the customs of this country. What a loser!
Posted by: WCH III | June 17, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Seriously, this guy is trash. This is what acting like your hard gets you: it expresses itself at the most inappropriate of times... Like when a near senior citizen takes exception to your driving.
Posted by: Chuck | June 17, 2009 at 02:51 PM
This guy must have been on drugs, otherwise you don't nearly hit a pedestrian or kill him in a minor incident like this. This guy is an african from Gambia, he is not Swedish even if he may be a citizen for some unknown reason.
Posted by: Lizzy | June 18, 2009 at 12:17 PM
“A motorist is not required to sit passively in his vehicle while a pedestrian strikes the vehicle and yells at him, and wait and see if the stranger’s anger escalates,” lawyer Alec Rose wrote...
Actually, I think it's the ATTORNEY who must be on drugs. Sure! He has the right to get out, kick his brains in and then DRIVE OVER HIM as he flees the scene! Of course, he could have locked the doors (of his 3000 pound weapon) and calmly driven away. He wouldn't be in jail for murder and pianist John Osnes would be somewhere playing right now.
Hopefully, a jury will throw the book at him.
Posted by: theWalrus | June 19, 2009 at 12:05 PM
the judge should not reduce his sentence. he didnt have to get out of the vehicle. besides IT WAS RENTED! he could have just yelled back and drove off.
Posted by: monique | September 28, 2009 at 01:35 PM