By: SoundSlam
Published: Jan. 25, 2006 - Philadelphia, PA

Rapper Cassidy, born Barry Reese, was found guilty on Tuesday in Philadelphia court of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. The verdict will send Cassidy behind bars for a sentence range of 11 ½ to 23 months in prison. Ultimately, the rapper could be set free within a few months as he has been incarcerated since June 2005.

Common Pleas Judge Jane Cutler Greenspan decided in a non-jury trial that Reese aided in the fatal shooting of 22 year-old Desmond Hawkins last April. Both legal parties established arguments citing Reese’s involvement or lack thereof, but the ultimate decision linked Cassidy to planning and/or abetting the shooting altercation.

On April 15th, 2005, Cassidy and two other men were prepared for a battle, armed with numerous guns and firing multiple rounds.

Judge Jane Cutler Greenspan, according to the AP, cited Reese as “negligent” and told the rapper “You could be a leader in the community.” Continuing, the judge stated “All those guns- that’s why Desmond is gone now, because of all those guns.”

The no-jury decision was comes after Reese opted for a reduced charge, knocking first-degree murder down to Tuesday’s ‘involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault’ verdict.