Opening statements to begin in trial over murder of rapper Dolla at upscale LA mall

Trial to open in murder of rapper Dolla in LA

LOS ANGELES — Opening statements are scheduled to begin in the murder trial of a man accused of killing Atlanta-based rapper Dolla at an upscale Los Angeles mall.

Aubrey Louis Berry has pleaded not guilty to the shooting death of the aspiring star at Beverly Center last May.

The 24-year-old Berry was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport hours after police say he shot and killed Dolla in the mall’s valet area. His lawyer says the shooting was self-defense.

The 21-year-old rapper, whose real name was Roderick Anthony Burton II, was a protege of Akon and released two songs with the hip-hop star.