2 Live Crew Transcript Ruled Out of Trial

The judge in the obscenity trial of three members of the rap group 2 Live Crew ruled today that a transcript of the disputed June 10 concert would not be used in the trial.

Broward County Judge June Johnson heard arguments from the state and the defense over admission of the transcripts.

A tape of the concert, which was of poor quality, was played for the judge, but out of the six-member jury’s earshot.

Opening arguments were scheduled later in the day after consideration of other motions on admissibility of evidence.

The state contended the transcript was a necessary aid for the jurors, but the defense said the transcript would be a distraction.

“They’re going to be reading the transcript,” said defense attorney Allan Jacobi. “They’re not going to be listening to the tape. They’re not going to get the back and forth (between artist and audience).”

Several high school students attempted to attend the trial, but only those over 18 were allowed to attend.

The jury includes one black member and had a mix that pleased the rap group and its lawyers. They had complained that the jury pool was too white and too old to judge 2 Live Crew, whose music is aimed primarily at young blacks.

The Broward County jury also includes a retired psychology professor who has questioned the validity of obscenity laws and a 24-year-old office worker with a music degree.

Band leader Luther Campbell and fellow rappers Chris Wongwon and Mark Ross could get up to a year in prison and fines of up to $1,000 each if convicted of obscenity for an adults-only performance at a Hollywood, Fla., nightclub June 10.

They were arrested for performing songs from their album “As Nasty as They Wanna Be” after it was pronounced obscene by a federal judge.