Philly police say they doubt Sigel tale

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators don't believe Beanie Sigel was robbed and shot a block from his boyhood home three months ago, as the rapper claimed at the time, a detective said.

"No one believes him. We don't believe he was shot where he said he was shot," Detective Tracy Byard told the Philadelphia Daily News for Wednesday's editions. "There's a million-and-one holes in his story."

The 32-year-old rapper told police on May 25 that he was boxed in by two cars and then surrounded by several men. He was robbed of a watch and a chain worth $75,000 and $3,000 in cash, and then shot in the shoulder, according to the rapper's account.

But police said no one witnessed the shooting or heard any gunshots, nor were any shell casings recovered.

"We knocked on at least 30 doors in that area, and no one heard a thing," Byard said.

In the hospital, Sigel argued with investigators when they tried to photograph his wound and questioned his story, Byard said.

Sigel's attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., said police were "having a tough time swallowing the fact that he's a victim" because of the rapper's prior criminal charges.

"I have no reason to believe anything other than what he's told me," Perri said.

Sigel briefly mentioned the shooting on a Sirius Satellite Radio show Friday night.

"My getting shot and somebody robbing me! Negative," Sigel said during "The Aphilliates: The Streetz Is Watchin'," a weekly hip-hop show. "I am on federal parole, so I can't get into details, but give me another nine months and I will tell y'all exactly what the deal was."

Sigel, who once served a year in prison on a gun charge, was acquitted of attempted murder in September. He was also briefly jailed two months later for failure to pay child support.

His three albums — "The Truth" in 2000, "The Reason" in 2001 and last year's "The B. Coming" — each hit the top five on the Billboard album chart. Many of his songs depict guns, drugs and violence.

He also starred in the movie "State Property" and its sequel.

• Email Story
• IM Story
• Discuss
• Printable View

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly

Average (Not Rated)

» Recommended Stories