Mark R. Madler
A Los Angeles hip-hop artist charged with the murder of a Burbank man
will appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing.
The hearing will determine if a judge finds there is enough
evidence against Steven S. Kim, 25, to continue the case.
During a brief appearance in Pasadena Superior Court on Friday,
defense attorney James Kim was given two large volumes of evidence
already collected by the Los Angeles district attorney's office.
While James Kim would not comment on a motive behind the shooting,
he said he would be ready for Monday's hearing.
"I believe we have an innocent man here and don't want any
additional time for him to be in jail," James Kim said.
Steven Kim has pleaded innocent to the shooting of Man Nguyen, 31.
Nguyen was found the morning of Dec. 11 in the backyard of his
residence in the 1200 block of Lamer Street, killed by a single
gunshot wound to the left side of his head. Steven Kim and Nguyen
knew each other, but police did not disclose details of their
relationship.
A warrant was issued for Steven Kim's arrest by police, and he
turned himself in at the Burbank department Dec. 14. He is a member
of the popular South Korean hip-hop group Uptown 3000.
