Judge Denies Request by Jury in Rapper Case to Visit Park

The Los Angeles Superior Court jury in the Snoop Doggy Dogg murder trial, apparently struggling with a manslaughter charge, sent a note to the judge seeking guidance on their deliberations, it was learned Friday.

It was unclear whether the jury had discarded the more serious charges of first- and second-degree murder against the rapper and his bodyguard, McKinley Lee. Sources close to the case said they considered the development Thursday a good sign for the defendants, but they cautioned that it was premature to make any predictions about the outcome.

The seven-man, five-woman panel, which started deliberations Feb. 9, also asked to make a field trip to the Palms park where Philip Woldemariam was shot on the evening of Aug. 25, 1993. Judge Paul G. Flynntentatively denied the request, saying Woodbine Park had changed too much since the shooting. Jurors will be back in court Tuesday morning to continue deliberations.