Alleged Soulja Slim Shooter Escapes Another Murder Indictment

A New Orleans man who authorities believe is responsible for the 2003 murder of rapper Soulja Slim has once again escaped indictment for a separate shooting. According to New Orleans' Times-Picayune, prosecutors in Orleans Parish failed to gather sufficient evidence against Garelle Smith for the August 4 murder of Mandell Duplessis within the 60 day time limit dictated by Louisiana law. Craig Famularo, of the district attorney’s homicide division, said that without any scientific evidence or eyewitness testimony, Smith will not stand trial. The development marks the third time the man has been arrested and accused of murder, only to later avoid prosecution. Smith was arrested for the November 2003 shooting death of former No Limit rapper Soulja Slim, but the case was later dropped due to lack of sufficient evidence. Police believe Smith shot Slim after being paid $10,000 to make the hit. The rapper was shot three times in the face outside his home with what police later determined to be a stolen New Orleans Police Department-issued weapon. At the time prosecutors gave up on trying to bring charges in the Slim case, Smith was locked up for the murder of 28 year-old Spencer Smith outside the St. Bernard housing complex in December of 2003. Although the alleged shooter has continuously avoided prosecution on capital murder charges, he is currently incarcerated on a charge of simple criminal damage. Should he be convicted in that case, he faces up to two years in prison.