LOS ANGELES, July 7 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles judge has declared a mistrial based on missing evidence in the wrongful death lawsuit by the family of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G.
The trial began June 21 and heard only three days of evidence when the judge heard a tip that the Los Angeles Police Department had withheld a large number of documents from the family's lawyers.
The rapper also known as Biggy Smalls, but whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was gunned down in 1997 after leaving a Los Angeles party. He was 24.
Wallace's family is suing the city and the police department, claiming an officer, under orders of a rival rap record label founder, arranged to have the rapper killed and that the department covered up the involvement of the officer.
The Los Angeles Times said U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper informed lawyers for the city and for the family of her decision in a conference call Tuesday, and said she would issue a written ruling Thursday.
