Georgia Supreme Court overturns murder conviction in Houston County over rap music video

The fatal shooting happened in 2019 outside a Warner Robins nightclub.

UPDATE (3/5/24) : The Supreme Court of Georgia has reversed the murder conviction for a shooting death that happened outside a Warner Robins nightclub in 2019.

The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled that the Houston County trial court’s admission of a portion of a rap video in which Morgan Baker is portrayed brandishing a gun was an abuse of discretion.

The trial court ruled that a 33-second clip of the video was admissible in part because it was relevant to establish Baker’s identity. The trial court also ruled that the clip was more probative than prejudicial.

“And because the State has not met its burden of showing that the error was harmless, we reverse Baker’s conviction,” Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren wrote.

ORIGINAL STORY (2/11/22):

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — 26-year-old Morgan Baker was convicted of malice murder, felony murde and aggravated assault on February 11 in connection with a shooting that happened in 2019.

According to a news release from the Houston County District Attorney’s Office, the charges in the case stem from a shooting at Club Boss, which used to be located off of Davis Drive in Warner Robins, where Alabama-based rapper “NoCap” was performing the night of July 6, 2019. Morgan Baker was there with “NoCap.” After the performance, Baker and an unidentified individual got into an altercation with security, which the DA’s Office says led to the two of them going to a sprinter van, grabbing firearms and shooting towards the entrance of the club. One of the bullets struck victim Tamarco Head. Head did not survive.

Baker has been sentenced to a life in prison with the possibility of parole.

“Today the Houston County Jury rendered a verdict that speaks the truth, acting DA William Kendall said. “We are grateful to our community, our law enforcement and those who stand to protect us from senseless violent crime. Today’s verdict is one that sends a message that violent crime in Houston County, Georgia will not be tolerated. We, at the DA’s Office, have a lot of work ahead of us in the coming weeks, and months, as we do our part in seeking justice and making our community a safer place. Today’s verdict helps provide closure to Mr. Head’s family, and we are grateful for that, but our work for our Community is not over.”