Murder Trial For Akon’s Protégé Dolla Begins Today In Los Angeles

Murder trial for superstar singer Akon’s protégé has begun almost a year after his death. Roderick Burton II, known in the music industry as Dolla, was gunned down in a hail of gunfire May 19, 2009 outside the Beverly Center, an upscale Los Angeles mall. Deputy District Attorney Robert Grace told jurors, in his opening statement today, that Aubrey Berry fired eight shots at Roderick Burton II and his friends. The 21-year-old Burton was hit by four bullets as he tried to run from Berry in the valet area of Beverly Center. Burton was hit three times in the back, after the shooting Burton lay dying in a pool blood, and Berry had to drive around Burton’s body to exit the valet area. "Roderick was senselessly gunned down by Aubrey Berry in a hail of gunfire," Grace said. Berry, pled not guilty to murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Berry’s attorney Howard Price said he acted in self-defense.