Rapper Snoop Dogg's 1993 murder charge petition granted

American rapper Snoop Dogg's appeal to seal his 1993 murder accusation has been granted, 28 years after he was acquitted of murdering a gang member.

The rapper, now 52, and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, were accused of shooting and killing Philip Woldemariam, a gang member, at Palms' Woodbine Park in Los Angeles in August 1993. In 1996, they went on trial for first and second-degree murder.

Snoop's first album was released shortly before his widely publicized trial, and after being cleared, the Drop It Like It's Hot hitmaker continued to enjoy great popular success. 

Legal documents acquired by TMZ verified Snoop's real name, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., sought a judge to seal the records in January 2024, and the court signed off on the request in late February. 

When a charge is sealed, it is removed from the public record and will not surface on background checks for jobs, housing, or education.

In 1993, he was charged with being an accessory to the fatal shooting of a rival gang member, who was allegedly slain by one of the star's bodyguards.

Prosecutors alleged Snoop was driving the car from which the pistol was fired. Despite the charge, he was controversially permitted to tour Britain. 

Snoop later claimed that the late Queen directly interfered in attempts to keep him out of Britain.

Snoop, then 24, was pictured appearing stunned and clasping his hands in prayer after he and his bodyguard were convicted.

Jurors also acquitted the couple of one count of conspiracy to commit violence in connection with Woldemariam's death.

Snoop, who had stayed free on $1 million bond with Lee, told the Los Angeles Times following the acquittal: "They made the right decision, you know what I mean?

"This has been an ordeal that has affected our lives for the past two and a half years. I was just trying to figure out if I was going to be here to raise my son."