The hip-hop community and fans of No Limit Records received devastating news this week as the Louisiana Supreme Court unanimously denied rapper C-Murder‘s (real name Corey Miller) latest bid for post-conviction relief. The decision, handed down on February 3, 2026, effectively exhausts his options for further appeals at the state level, leaving the New Orleans native to continue serving a life sentence for a 2002 second-degree murder conviction.
Corey Miller, the younger brother of rap mogul Master P (Percy Miller), has maintained his innocence since his arrest in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Steven Thomas at the Platinum Club (also referred to as a Harvey nightclub) in 2002. Convicted in 2009 after a lengthy legal process, Miller received a life sentence without parole. Earlier appeals were rejected by an appellate court in 2011 and the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2012 (with some reports noting additional denials around 2013).
In his most recent filing, Miller’s legal team highlighted key issues they believed warranted reopening the case: recanted testimony from two crucial witnesses who had originally implicated him, as well as alleged mishandling or concerns regarding DNA evidence from the investigation. Supporters and advocates have long argued these elements cast doubt on the conviction’s reliability.
However, the state’s highest court was unswayed. In a unanimous vote by all seven justices, the court rejected the application, stating: “Applicant has previously exhausted his right to state collateral review and fails to show that any exception permits his successive filing.” This ruling closes the door on additional state-level challenges under Louisiana law.
The news has hit hard within the Miller family, particularly for Master P, who has been a vocal supporter of his brother’s innocence claims over the years. Reports and social media discussions indicate that Master P broke down in tears upon learning of the denial, overwhelmed by the finality of the decision after more than two decades of legal battles and hope for justice. As a pioneering figure in Southern rap who built an empire with No Limit Records—elevating both his own career and those of his siblings, including C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker—Master P has often spoken publicly about the pain of seeing his brother imprisoned while insisting on his innocence. This latest setback represents what many close to the family describe as a “helpless cry” from a legend who has exhausted every avenue within the state system to free his kin.
While state remedies are now depleted, Miller may still pursue limited options in the federal court system, such as a habeas corpus petition or, in rare cases, seeking review from the U.S. Supreme Court via a writ of certiorari. However, experts note that witness recantations and similar claims are rarely sufficient on their own to overturn a conviction at the federal level, especially after multiple state denials.
The case continues to spark debate in hip-hop circles and beyond, with some viewing it as a tragic example of the justice system’s challenges, while others point to the consistent court rulings upholding the original verdict. For now, C-Murder remains at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola), where he has spent much of his adult life behind bars.
This moment underscores the enduring bond between the Miller brothers and the heavy toll that prolonged incarceration takes on families—even those with fame, resources, and influence. As one source close to the situation put it, it’s a “legend’s helpless cry” in the face of an unyielding system.
February 7, 2026 Source: Various reports including WVUE/FOX 8, Black Enterprise, Complex, and court documents.
