Pa. man opts for jury trial in rapper's death

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — A man accused of killing a central Pennsylvania rapper after a show has opted to have his case heard by a jury.

Jakeem Towles is charged with killing 20-year-old Cornell Stewart in Columbia, Lancaster County in May 2010. A county judge granted his request for a jury trial at a hearing today.

Authorities allege that Towles was ejected from the hip-hop show after a fight but later returned with a gun.

Authorities say Towles shot Stewart in the head while trying to kill a man with Stewart. He faces charges of homicide and attempted homicide in the case.

The Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era reports prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Towles if he’s convicted of first-degree murder.