.jpg)
*Mario Etheridge, the man who shot and killed rapper Proof at Detroit night club CCC in April, saw opening arguments begin Monday in his case stemming from the fatal incident.
Etheridge was not charged with the death of Proof, whose real name was Deshaun Holton, but rather with illegally firing a weapon in an occupied building and carrying a concealed weapon.
According to the Detroit News, assistant Wayne County prosecutor Elizabeth Walker claims that Proof never reached for his gun until Etheridge, 28, fired a warning shot into the ceiling during Proof’s altercation with another man.
As a result, the incident was taken "up a notch," Walker argued, adding: "That was the first display, the first use, the first time anyone knew about a weapon."
Etheridge fatally shot Proof after the late member of D12 shot Etheridge’s cousin, Keith Bender, in the face. Authorities said that Proof’s actions were precipitated by Etheridge firing in the air. Proof died at the club of multiple gunshot wounds. Bender died a week later.
The trial, held in Wayne Circuit Court, was expected to last two days.