Johnson Murder - Rappers Guilty Over YouTube Video

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Judge says they face prison sentences

Two rappers have been found guilty of trying to scare off witnesses to the murder of a 24-year-old man in West Ealing by posting an internet video on YouTube.

Jason Johnson, who had a three-year-old son, died after being shot in the chest in an alleyway running behind Cavendish Avenue on Friday, November 21 2008.

Ishmael McLean, 22, of Greenford, and Rowan Simon, 18, of Ealing, west London, were found guilty of acting to pervert the course of justice.

Ryan Esprit, 18, of Hanwell, west London, was found not guilty.

The jury at the Old Bailey heard the "chilling" song which warned that people who talked to the police could be shot.

The clip, featuring a backing track, and a burst of gunfire, had been posted on YouTube with links to MySpace and Facebook profiles after the murder of Jason Johnson last year.

Oliver Glasgow, prosecuting, said the video to the song was clearly intended to frighten people.

The two defendants were arrested in connection with the video in February of this year, when it was discovered by police.

McLean told police he wrote lyrics to "Wrong Team" but claimed it was only a gangster-rap.

Mr Glasgow told the court two of the defendant's friends had been placed in custody, while the others had been bailed following the shooting.

He said: "The video had but one purpose - to threaten any witness to this incident to frighten them to such an extent that they would refuse to co-operate with the police.

"They made it clear exactly what it was they wanted to do to them. Namely, kill them or to use their own words 'I can't wait for the snitch to drop, I still show up at his wake just to see him off'."

He also said that eight people, including the defendants, were arrested but were not prosecuted, but the decision had nothing to do with the video.

McLean and Simon were remanded in custody for sentence on 27 November and Judge Richard Hone warned they faced prison sentences.