Rapper Accused of Murder Is Acquitted in Torrance

Rapper Terry Gray, a member of the group Da Lench Mob, was acquitted of murder charges late Thursday by a Torrance Superior Court jury. Known as “T-Bone” in the music industry, Gray had maintained his innocence throughout the case.

“From day one, I have said that it was mistaken identity,” Gray said after the verdict. “I think (police) were going after rap and using me as a way to do it.”

Gray was accused of murdering a man at a bowling alley in the Athens area early last year. Witnesses had said that they saw Gray run into the Southwest Bowl on Feb. 18 and fatally shoot Herbert Battle and wound Lashann Townsend, both 22.

Gray said he left the bowling alley at least 20 minutes before the shooting took place and had no reason to kill or wound the two victims.

He was the second member of the Da Lench Mob to be charged with murder. DaSean Laron Cooper, 26, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 29 years to life in the unrelated February, 1994, slaying of Scott Charles, 23, after a house party in the Athens area.

The group’s first album, “Guerillas in tha Mist,” has earned more than $6 million since its release in 1992. Both Gray and Cooper were produced by popular rapper Ice Cube’s Street Knowledge label. The Los Angeles-based group’s new album, “Planet of Da Apes,” also is doing well.

Gray’s record company, Priority Records, has supported him during the case and put up his bail.

“We posted his $1.5-million bail immediately,” said Lillian Matulic, a company vice president. “We stood behind Terry and believed he was innocent.”