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CHAKA KHAN TAKES STAND IN SON’S MURDER TRIAL: Singer’s testimony describes killing as accidental.

(May 1, 2006)

     *R&B singer Chaka Khan testified Thursday in the murder trial of her 27-year-old son Damien Patrick Holland, who is charged with the killing of 17-year-old aspiring rapper Christopher Bailey at the home Holland shares with his mother, girlfriend and five-year-old daughter.

       Early last week, Holland told a court in Los Angeles that he never intended to kill Bailey when he pointed an M-16 assault rifle at him. The two were discussing an affair Bailey claimed to have with Holland’s girlfriend, when the gun was drawn.

       "Pow! I heard a shot," Holland testified in tears, adding that Bailey fell to the floor and began bleeding from his face.

       Khan, whose real name is Yvette Stevens, testified that her son is a kind, gentle man who did not mean to kill Bailey. She described her son’s friend as “bright,” “talented” and "full of life." Khan added that Bailey may have survived the shooting had police allowed emergency medical workers to enter her home sooner.

       During questioning by his attorney, Milton Grimes, Holland admitted he concocted a story about the gun going off amid a struggle with Bailey. Holland also said he persuaded friends to lie to the police and had a friend punch him in the face to make it appear he had fought with Bailey.

       "I didn't see any way out of the situation," Holland said. "I felt terrible. I felt sick."

       Khan is due back in court today for cross-examination.

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