Civil trial against Snoop Dogg by fan who claims he was beaten by rapper in 2005 begins

Civil beating case against Snoop Dogg begins

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A man suing Snoop Dogg for millions told a jury Friday that the euphoria of being near one of his idols quickly turned to terror during a 2005 concert when he was savagely beaten.

Richard Monroe Jr. claims the rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, hit him with a brass-knuckle microphone after he jumped onstage and put his hand on the performer’s shoulder.

Broadus sat a few feet away as Monroe described waking up naked, robbed, and in a pool of blood after the beatdown by other performers and the rapper’s security detail. A videotape of the incident that occurred at the White River Amphitheater near Seattle was also shown to jurors Friday.

Broadus’ attorneys said the video doesn’t show the blow to the back of the head that Monroe claims the rapper delivered, nor evidence that the rapper should be forced to pay any damages.

They told jurors during the trial’s opening moments Friday that Broadus’ security guards had mere seconds to react when Monroe — who stands 6-feet-3 inches tall and weighs nearly 300 pounds — came on stage unexpectedly.

“Mr. Broadus thought he was being attacked,” said attorney Hayes Michel.

He told jurors the rapper’s security reacted swiftly because Monroe was struggling, a claim Monroe denied.

“I was getting punched, kicked, kicked, punched,” Monroe told jurors. “It was brutal. I was really in shock. I couldn’t believe it.”

Monroe’s lawyer, Brian E. Watkins, said his client was essentially “left for dead.”

For effect, Watkins hit his hand and stomped the floor to describe to jurors how Monroe was attacked.

Monroe sued Broadus and several others in April 2006 for $22 million in damages and punitive penalties.

Monroe thought he was answering a call to party onstage with Broadus during a performance of “Gin and Juice.” He said he meant the rapper, whom he often referred to Friday as “Mr. Broadus,” no harm.

“I was having fun,” he told jurors. “I was excited. Snoop was in the house.”

Michel said Monroe’s descriptions were exaggerated and that Monroe’s story about the incident has repeatedly changed, as well as his description of his injuries to various doctors.

“It’s not evidence of someone who was savagely beaten,” Michel said.

Broadus attended court Friday, taking notes and conferring with his lawyers during the morning session. He is expected to testify at some point during the trial, which is expected to last at least a week.