Introduction to the Criminal Justice System: Wallace Murder Case Study

This assignment provides an introduction to the criminal justice system, using the case of the murder of Christopher Wallace (Biggie Smalls) as a case study. It begins by explaining search and seizure, as outlined in the Fourth Amendment, and how it applied to the investigation. The assignment then details the eight processes of a trial, including trial initiation, jury selection, opening statements, evidence presentation, closing statements, jury deliberations, and the verdict. Key suspects such as Suge Knight, Amir Mohammed, and David Mack are identified, with the role of witnesses and the importance of character witnesses are discussed. The assignment includes example opening statements from both the prosecution and defense, and outlines the process of direct and cross-examination. Important points to consider during cross-examination are highlighted. The assignment concludes by explaining the closing statements from both sides, and the judge's verdict, emphasizing that the case remains unsolved due to evidence tampering.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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Unit 7 Assignment
Name of the Student
Institutional Affiliations

INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 2
Introduction to Criminal Justice System
Search and seizure is a law provided in the fourth amendment of the constitution. Police
detectives obtained the warrant to conduct search and seizure at Death row’s headquarter in
connection to Mr. Wallace’s murder (Sullivan, 2005). They seized a Chevy Impala belonging to
Knight as one of the vehicles used in the night of the murder. The seizure as explained by
Michelena, a supervisor of the detectives, in this case, was used to garner evidence and help
them in a clear understanding of the murder case ("Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 2 of
3," n.d.).
The trial process involves eight processes. These are trial initiation, selection of a jury,
opening statement, evidence presentation, closing statements, the judge's charge to the jury,
deliberations by the jury and finally the judge’s verdict. In the case of Wallace, the main suspects
are Suge Knight (main suspect), Amir Mohammed who police had his sketch and David Mack
whom a critical evidence was found in his residence months later after the murder ("FBI reveals
documents in Biggie Smalls death probe," n.d.). The witnesses who would be helpful in defense
of the above suspects are the character witnesses who act in defense’s innocence.
The trials commence with an opening statement from the prosecutors and the defense’s
attorney. An opening statement is helpful to the jury as it directs the jury on which ways the
attorney will provide the evidence. In relation to the case of Mr. Wallace, “good morning ladies
and gentlemen. I am Kevin counsel representing the state of Los Angeles. Today you will hear
how these men seated here orchestrated the murder of B.I.G while returning to his hotel after an
industrial party. My honor David Mack alongside his friend Mohamed are the main suspects in
this case. Throughout this case am going to provide you with substantial evidence to prove the

INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 3
two guilty. It’s my hope and wishes that you find them guilty and charge them accordingly so
that Wallace’s relatives attain justice. Thank you.”
After the prosecutor has delivered his testimony, the judge calls on the defense's side to
provide their opening statement. The defense begins, “my honor, am Meghan the defense
counsel. Am here to defend my client who is a suspect in the murder charges mentioned. My
client is not guilty of the charges according to the evidence am going to table. Thank you.” The
judge then deliberates direct and cross-examination.
The judge asks the prosecution to call their witnesses for direct and cross-examination
from the prosecution and defense side respectively. The prosecution will ask: “where were you
on the night of the murder?” “Did the person you saw shooting the rapper present in the court?”
the defense side crosses, “were there other onlookers during this murder?” “How do you know
that it was David Mack and Amir Mohamed?”
The judge asks the defense to call their witnesses for direct and cross-examination from
the defense and prosecution side respectively. The defense counsel begins, “where were you on
the night of the murder?” “Were there any tensions during the party?” the prosecutor crosses,
“can you remember what happened during the party?” “Is that because you were behind this
murder?”
There are important points to consider during cross-examination. Mr mack one of the
witnesses can show credibility following previous charges of $700,000 stolen from a bank
("Connecting The Dots | PBS - L.a.p.d. Blues | FRONTLINE | PBS," n.d.). The sketch of Mr.
Mohamed that the police provides as evidence can be used to label more than one person. Suge
Knight is the mastermind since he hired off-duty police as the lead security ("Christopher (Biggie

INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 4
Smalls) Wallace Part 1 of 3," n.d.). The defense side can insist that Suge Knight is not the
mastermind since their rapper, Tupac was killed in this way.
After hearing the evidence from both sides, the court asks for closing statements.
Prosecution closes, “the evidence tabled here proves within reasonable doubt that the two are
indeed guilty of the murder. Your honor, we ask for your verdict of guilty.” The defense closes,
“your honor from the evidence provided by the prosecution it is not substantial to hold the
accused for the charges. Your honor, we ask for a verdict of not guilty.”
The judge takes a recess in which to write down his judgments. Afterward, the weight of
the evidence provides the verdict. If found guilty, the suspect is held accountable for murder
charges and released when found innocent. Nobody has been held accountable for the case of
Mr. Wallace ("Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 3 of 3," n.d.). The judge claimed the
evidence to have been tampered with and the decision to rule out the case shocked many.

INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 5
References
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 1 of 3. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Smalls%29%20Wallace%20/
christopher-biggie-smalls-wallace-part-1-of-3/view
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 2 of 3. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Smalls%29%20Wallace%20/
christopher-biggie-smalls-wallace-part-2-of-3/view
Christopher (Biggie Smalls) Wallace Part 3 of 3. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Smalls%29%20Wallace%20/
christopher-biggie-smalls-wallace-part-3-of-3/view
Connecting The Dots | PBS - L.a.p.d. Blues | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd/connect/noflash.html
FBI reveals documents in Biggie Smalls death probe. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/04/08/biggie.smalls.files/
Sullivan, R. (2005). The Unsolved Mystery of the Notorious BIG: The Murder. The Cover-up.
The Conspiracy. Rolling Stone, 15, 124-147.