It only took a little over three hours for a jury of 12 members to find Lafayette rapper, Eric “Vicious” Johnson guilty of inciting a riot that led to the death of an innocent man.

A jury convicted the 47-year old local rapper with inciting the riot that led to the death of 43-year old Ray Ryan.

Ryan was shot in the back after gunfire broke out during a fight near his apartment building. Police believe Johnson had gone to the apartment building to fight Ryan’s neighbor. Originally Johnson was charged with terrorizing, but that charge was later changed.

“It was in fact proven that there was a riot. By definition three or more people involved in tumultuous activity where there is a foreseeable risk of harm. In fact, in the course of that [riot] someone was killed.” said District Attorney Keith Stutes.　

District Attorney Keith Stutes says that this is the first time this charge has been prosecuted in Lafayette Parish.

He adds that this charge has rarely been used in the state of Louisiana.

“I think the reason is because it fits a specific, limited type of circumstance. This case is very unique and the circumstances were very unique and fit. As the jury found fit the circumstances of inciting a riot where a death occurred .” said Stutes.