Scotus May Hear Rap Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide this spring whether to hear from the organizers of a 2000 concert in Mississippi featuring 2 Live Crew.

The plaintiffs want to pursue their lawsuit against sheriffs departments in the area for allegedly staging unfair roadblocks and searches that led to charges and convictions of fans heading to the event.

Houston Collins Jr. and his wife Sharlet leased Collins Field (near Hazlehurst) from Collins’ brother Robert and his wife Velma.

Plaintiffs said the group never played because police prevented fans from making it to the show. They allege officers intimidated and harassed concertgoers and randomly stopped and searched vehicles without probable cause. Most of the arrests near Collins Field were misdemeanors.

The plaintiffs are seeking $15 million in damages and have asked the Supreme Court to hear the case.

A federal judge dismissed the complaint in March 2005, which was upheld by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in December. The 5th Circuit said the claims were properly dismissed in March because the plaintiffs failed to raise any challenge to the original convictions.