Producer Shawty Redd Found Not Guilty of Murder

Hip-hop producer Shawty Redd has been cleared of murder charges.

The Atlanta beatsmith, born Demetrius Lee Stewart, was found not guilty of murder following a 2010 New Year's Day shooting of a man named Damon Martin, reports MTV News. The "Who Dat" creator was also found not guilty of lesser charges.

The trial began on Monday (October 31) and concluded on Wednesday, with Judge Wade Crumbly clearing the producer of all charges related to Martin's death on Thursday. "The defense [in the trial] was clearly self-defense," Redd's attorney Ashutosh Joshi told MTV News. "We argued that Redd's life was threatened both verbally and physically, and this occurred in his home and that he shot this gentleman as a result of that."

Shawty Redd was arrested January 1, 2010 after an early morning shooting at his Hampton, Georgia, home. According to reports, Redd and Martin were involved in a physical dispute which ended when Redd shot and killed Martin, who was described as an "acquaintance." Stewart called police himself to report the occurrence.

Shawty Redd has worked with the likes of Pusha T, Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane, among others.—Gina Montana