Last year, 19-year old Louisiana rapper Lil Phat, born Melvin Vernil III, was shot and killed in Atlanta. Signed to Trill Entertainment, he collaborated frequently with label mates like Lil Boosie, Webbie as well as artists like Young Scooter and OJ Da Juiceman. At the time of his death, he was sitting in his car in a hospital parking lot, about to become a father.

On Friday, news broke that Mani Chulpayev, a man identified by news sources as a “Mobster” with ties to the Russian Mob, is accused of putting a hit out on Lil Phat after the rapper told police that Chulpayev had sold him a stolen car.  The alleged murderers are said to have used a GPS locator on Vernell’s car.  More below, via XXL Magazine:

According to the report, Chulpayev is accused of dealing in stolen cars and Phat was one of his customers, having leased a BMW SUV and the high end Audi he was killed in from the dealer. According to police, Phat, born Melvin Vernell III, went to the authorities only two days prior to his murder and told them he got the cars from Chulpayev. The motive for his death may have been to silence the rapper. “I termed it an assassination,” said Fulton County district attorney, Paul Howard. “He was stalked by these hit men. It was planned.”

According to Chulpayev’s lawyer George Plumides his client is innocent and the prosecutors have no evidence against him. “Mani had nothing against this kid, and grieved when he found out he got killed,” he told reporters. “They put him out of business and they have nothing.”

Sources, WSBTV, XXL Magazine, DGB

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