Toronto Rapper Smoke Dawg’s Alleged Killer Learns Fate In Court

Toronto, CA – The person charged within the 2018 homicide of Toronto rapper Smoke Dawg and his model supervisor realized his destiny in court docket on Thursday (February 24), two days after the jury started their deliberations.

As reported by CBC Information, Abdulkadir Handule, who additionally goes by his rap moniker Neat, was discovered responsible of two counts of second-degree homicide, in addition to aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm in an Ontario Superior Court docket on Thursday (February 25). Handule’s lawyer Dirk Derstine mentioned in a letter to the outlet the decision was “deeply” disappointing.

In Canada, second-degree homicide equates to a compulsory life sentence with no probability of parole for at the least 10 years. Justice Brian O’Marra mentioned in court docket he’d converse with the jury earlier than figuring out how lengthy Handule must wait earlier than being eligible for parole.

“It’s been attempting instances in society the final two years and for my part, at instances when society is underneath various kinds of stress, it’s extra essential than ever that the justice system nonetheless be capable of function as finest it could actually,” Brian O’Marra mentioned of the jury in his closing assertion. “And you’ve got been exemplary in your dedication to the duty.”

The person charged within the deadly shootings of Toronto rapper Smoke Dawg and model supervisor Ernest Modekwe has been discovered responsible of two counts of 2nd diploma homicide. The pair have been shot useless on a busy downtown Toronto road almost 4 years in the past. https://t.co/vxI4UcXeMw

— CBC Information Alerts (@CBCAlerts) February 24, 2022

Handule shall be sentenced on Might 27, a sentencing that comes almost 4 years after he and two different pals gunned down the 21-year-old rapper Smoke Dawg, actual title Jahvante Sensible, in entrance of a Toronto nightclub.

The trial had begun final November however was constantly delayed because of the holidays and the pandemic. Handule by no means testified, however his lawyer Dirk Derstine in closing statements attested that Handule was one of many three shooters who opened hearth exterior the Dice nightclub in June 2018.

The prosecution had beforehand argued Handule had focused Smoke Dawg that evening, however Derstine denied that declare.

“It’s true Abdulkadir raced after him (Sensible) and was firing at him … most likely intending him no good by any means and sure, certainly, he shot him on the bottom when he was down there,” Derstine informed the jury on Tuesday (February 22). “However, you’re not right here, like Saint Peter on the Pearly gates, to determine whether or not or not he’s human being. You’re right here solely to determine whether or not he’s legally responsible of the varied totally different offenses.”

He added the capturing wasn’t focused however fairly, “one thing that started as an “adolescent, silly, testosterone-laden … argument on the facet of Queen Road.” Derstine argued the membership’s bouncers frequently noticed violence of this nature. “These two younger males mentioned one thing silly to one another, which precipitated one thing silly and ultimately tragic,” he mentioned.

Smoke Dawg’s profession started to take off in 2015 when he dropped his Mo-G collaboration “Nonetheless.” The observe snagged 2.4 million views on YouTube and 1.37 million streams on SoundCloud, and was adopted by his track “Entice Home,” which earned 3.4 million views on YouTube and impressed French Montana to hop on a remix.

Drake was among the many many rappers who mourned for the rapper after his passing, and the 21-year-old lyricist even toured with Drizzy for elements of his Boy Meets World Tour.