By Rose Miami 
HangupsMusic.com – Houston, TX – Rapper OMB Bloodbath, born Alexandra Nicks, has been found guilty in a retrial for her alleged involvement in a 2017 gang-related murder case. The verdict was delivered by a jury on Monday, August 3rd, following a trial that spanned two weeks and involved several hours of deliberations. This marks the second attempt to secure a conviction in the case, after the initial trial in January resulted in a mistrial. OMB Bloodbath and her co-defendant, Shaquille Richards, were both convicted of using a firearm in furtherance of a racketeering murder and murder in aid of racketeering. Prosecutors asserted that the pair orchestrated a gang shooting that tragically led to the death of an innocent bystander, 52-year-old Samuel Johnson, nine years prior to the verdict.
The prosecution’s case heavily relied on a substantial body of evidence, including recorded jail phone conversations between Richards and Nicks, a series of text messages, and various social media communications. Notably, the second trial presented additional information gleaned from OMB Bloodbath’s cellphone that had not been disclosed or presented during the first proceedings. This newly introduced digital evidence is believed to have been instrumental in swaying the jury towards a guilty verdict in the second trial. During the initial day of the trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Zenon-Matos articulated the prosecution’s core argument to the Houston Chronicle, stating, "This case is not about shooters. This case is about power."
Prosecutors successfully argued that OMB Bloodbath and Shaquille Richards held leadership positions within the Houston-based 100% Third Ward (103) Gang. The evidence presented aimed to demonstrate that they had organized and ordered an attempted shooting targeting a rival gang member in 2017. The tragic consequence of this planned violence, according to the prosecution, was the death of Samuel Johnson, who was an unintended victim caught in the crossfire. The gang-related nature of the incident and the alleged directive from Nicks and Richards formed the crux of the charges.
Following the conviction, OMB Bloodbath and Shaquille Richards are scheduled to appear for sentencing on November 4th. Both defendants face a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment for their roles in the racketeering murder. The gravity of the charges and the potential consequences underscore the seriousness of the legal proceedings.
In the wake of the verdict, Judith Shields, attorney for OMB Bloodbath, released a statement to XXL, expressing profound disappointment. "We are deeply disappointed by the verdict," Shields stated. "We thank the jurors for their time, and we respect their service even as we profoundly disagree with the result." She reiterated the defense’s long-standing position that the extensive evidence collected by the government, spanning nearly nine years of communications, did not establish a direct link or order from Alexandra Nicks to the death of Sam Johnson. "From the first day of this case, we have said the same thing: in nearly nine years of messages, calls, and videos collected by the government, there is no order, no payment, and no plan connecting Alexandra Nicks to the death of Sam Johnson. We believed that when this trial began. We know it to be true despite the verdict."
Shields further indicated that the legal battle is far from over. "This case is not over. Significant legal issues were raised and preserved during this trial – issues concerning the court’s evidentiary rulings, and the sufficiency of the government’s proof on the elements of these charges. We believe those issues have real merit, and we will pursue them fully, through post-trial motions and on appeal." The defense intends to vigorously challenge the verdict through legal avenues, citing concerns about evidentiary standards and the adequacy of the prosecution’s proof.
The statement also extended condolences to the victim’s family. "Our thoughts are also with the family of Sam Johnson, whose loss is real and whom nothing in this case diminishes," Shields added. The defense team affirmed their unwavering commitment to their client. "Alexandra Nicks and her family have our unchanged commitment: we will continue to fight for her until she comes home. We will have no further comment while post-trial proceedings are pending." The legal team’s focus now shifts to post-trial motions and the potential for an appeal, aiming to overturn the conviction based on the alleged legal shortcomings of the trial. The outcome of these future legal proceedings will determine the final resolution of this complex and tragic case.
