Cassidy Faces First-Degree Murder

Philadelphia rapper Cassidy is again facing a first-degree murder charge for his alleged involvement in an April 15th drive-by shooting that left one man dead.

Cassidy — real name Barry Reese — was facing third-degree murder after Judge Marsha Neifield ruled August 16th that prosecutors didn’t have enough evidence to support the first-degree charge.

Prosecutor Deborah Watson-Stokes said at the time she would appeal the ruling. The district attorney was preparing an arrest warrant on the re-filed charge September 8th.

Reese and two other men allegedly shot up a vehicle parked in a driveway in the performer’s neighborhood. One of the three men inside the vehicle, Desmond Hawkins, was killed and others were seriously injured.

Police said Reese and Hawkins had argued earlier that day.

The rapper, whose latest J Records album, I’m A Hustla, dropped June 28th, has been incarcerated since he turned himself in to police June 17th.