Rap artist is charged with marijuana possession

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Ste. Genevieve County authorities confirmed Monday that they charged Murphy Lee, a nationally known St. Louis rap music star and the author of the recent hip-hop single "Cardinal's Walk," with misdemeanor marijuana possession and driving under the influence of drugs on Oct. 31.

Capt. Mark Maples, patrol commander of the sheriff's department, said the arresting deputy described "the overwhelming smell of marijuana" coming from the Mercedes station wagon that Lee had been driving.

Lee's lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, declined to comment on specifics of the case, but said: "He is going to enter a plea of not guilty. Once in court, the facts will come out completely in favor of Murphy."

Rosenblum added, "It is unfortunate. He is very conscientious about his role in the community. Hopefully, no one will draw conclusions until the case is litigated."

Lee, 24, whose real name is Tohri M. Harper, was issued a summons to appear in court Dec. 22, Maples said.

Rosenblum said Lee was on his way home from Southeast Missouri State University, where he is taking classes in criminology with hopes of eventually going to law school.

Lee was northbound on Interstate 55 when he passed a sheriff's deputy who was driving the speed limit of 70 mph, Maples said. He said the deputy - whom he did not identify - checked Lee's license plates and found they had expired.

After stopping the station wagon, the deputy issued the citations after he smelled marijuana and found a small amount of it in the vehicle, Maples said. No charges were filed against two passengers.

Maples said Lee declined to take a blood or urine test.

Rosenblum emphasized that the case "will ultimately be up to a court, a judge, not a sheriff's deputy."

The lawyer said a crew from the MTV network had been filming Lee on campus that week and may have even filmed the arrest.

Lee is a member of the St. Lunatics, the band of Nelly, the nationally acclaimed rap star. Lee has also recorded on his own and won gold last year with his CD titled "Murphy's Law."

A lifelong St. Louisan, Lee wrote "Cardinal's Walk" as the baseball team marched to the World Series. The song got airtime on area hip-hop stations, and proceeds from the sale of the single were donated to Cardinals Care, the baseball team's charity.

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