A local musician known for his hip-hop performances has been convicted of murder for fatally shooting his brother last summer at his family's Prince George County home in a dispute that prosecutors say was over family finances.
After a bench trial in Prince George Circuit Court, Judge W. Edward Tomko III convicted Broderick R. Giles, 44, of second-degree murder in the July 14, 2018, slaying of his older brother, Lathius A. Giles, 53, who was shot three times in the back of his torso and head with a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol.
According to the prosecution's evidence, presented by Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Mark Barnard, Broderick Giles admitted he shot his brother during a police interview on the day of the shooting. Barnard presented Giles' videotaped interview with detectives at Wednesday's trial.
In the same interview, Broderick Giles told detectives that after he shot his brother, he reached into his brother's pocket and retrieved a gun and placed it near his brother's hand, where police found the weapon.
Barnard argued that the dispute between the brothers was over family financial issues.
Broderick Giles testified that he acted in self defense after his brother threatened to kill him and their mother. He also said in testimony that his brother was facing him and pointing a gun at him at the time of the shooting.
But the prosecution argued the physical evidence contradicted Giles' claims that his brother displayed a gun.
The brothers' mother was at the home and likely heard the shooting, but was unable to see what occurred from where she was seated, and unable to move due to medical disabilities, said Commonwealth's Attorney Susan Fierro.
The mother and Lathius Giles lived at the home in the 9000 block of Sandy Ridge Road, but Broderick Giles was a Chesterfield County resident. Police responded to the home after receiving a call about the shooting at 10:33 a.m. that day.
Judge Tomko found Broderick Giles' testimony inconsistent with his prior statements to police and the prosecution's evidence, Fierro said.
In finding Giles guilty of second-degree murder, the judge rejected the defense argument that Giles should be convicted of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter, as well as the prosecution's arguments for a conviction of first-degree murder, Fierro said.
Broderick Giles is known for his hip hop performances under the name B.Giles.
He is the owner and chief executive officer of CreamShahPro-StreetFam Enterprises and has made a number of music videos, often with performer Rizzo Da Great.
Broderick also is associated with the Grind Pray Society, a faith-based enterprise established in Petersburg that incorporates music and merchandise to promote a message of entrepreneurship, integrity and hard work through faith-based principles.
Giles is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26.
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