Proof of D-12 killed in nightclub shootout

We as consumers of news here in the U.S. are so quick to choose sides. We make up our minds without thinking critically about what is being reported to us. Then after we make concrete statements based on poor, inaccurate or inadequate information... we'll hold our ground and rarely budge in the face of updated, adequate, correct info - usually out of pride and stubbornness! (ala little George Bush)

The hip-hop message boards are ablaze with postings regarding Proof's early demise. Most posters seem to have already come to a concrete conclusion.

Either Proof was wrongly murdered out of jealousy... Or Proof deserved what he got!

Come on people... Let's stop searching for info to support our positions and suspicions. Let's start searching for the truth! None of us know what exactly happened that fateful night!

Two points that I'll be watching in my own analysis of the situation:

1. "The Proof shot first" story came from the victim's family and the shooter's attorney.

I'm waiting for confirmation from an unbiased source before I believe that one. Because as I see it, both the family and the bouncer's family have motive to sex up the story. (not saying their perspective isn't true... But I need unbiased corroboration!)

A. If Mr. Bender dies, the fam may be looking to go for a wrongful death suit.

B. If he lives, they could go wrongful injury or are looking to protect him from scrutiny of his part in the tragedy.

C. The attorney??? He's trying to get his client off.

Bottom line - I need unbiased confirmation of that story before I'll believe it.


2. I'm looking for confirmation of who pulled their piece first.

SOHH.com has a confidential witness that states that Bender pulled his first and Proof got off a landing shot.

A. If someone pulls a piece on me, and I pull second. Doesn't that make my reaction self-defense? (provided the other guy isn't pullin' in self-defense of my actions)

B. Don't we need to know who was the antagonist, who got physical first, and who pulled first and why?

Bottom line - these questions will provide a basis for deciding if Proof was killed or murdered.

The preceding thoughts were supplied by the Coalition of Westcoast Black Men Tired Of Brothas Killing Brothas and are not to be duplicated or reprinted without the expressed written consent of the Coalition. Ya dig?