LAS VEGAS (CN) - A San Francisco rap promoter was convicted of the 2005 murder of a Kansas City rival as part of an ongoing feud between the West Coast and Midwest rap scenes.
Andre "Mac Minister" Dow, 37, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins, 24, and Watkins' friend, Jermaine "Cowboy" Atkins, 22. The victims allegedly attended a Snoop Dogg concert the night of May 23, 2005, were seen leaving their hotel with Dow, and were later found in an unfinished Las Vegas housing development.
Authorities said the murder may have been retaliation for the murder of California rapper Andre "Mac Dre" Hicks, 34, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in Kansas City in November 2004.
Dow is a rap promoter who has appeared on albums by E-40, Snoop Dogg, Yukmouth and the Cash Money Millionaires. Dow was involved in a televised brawl with Bay Area rapper Earl "E-40" Stevens at The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards in August 2000.
Dow was pulled over for speeding in San Francisco in July 2005, instigating a chase during which he abandoned his car. Authorities found an article about Watkins' murder in the vehicle.
Dow was indicted on Nov. 2, 2005 on murder charges, along with another rap promoter, Jason Mathis. Two days later, Mathis' girlfriend, 21-year-old Lee Danae Laursen, was found dead in Fairfield, Calif. She was believed to have witnessed the murders of Watkins and Atkins.
Mathis is still awaiting trial.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.