Busta Rhymes speaks on his bodyguard, Israel Ramirez

[DarkMan]

After almost a week of speculation and rumors, Busta Rhymes is finally talking about the shooting that took the life of his bodyguard last Sunday (February 5) amidst a growing negative backlash from fans.

After attending the second wake for slain bodyguard Israel Ramirez last night (February 9), Busta released a statement via his attorney, Robert I. Kalina.

"I have sent my condolences to the Ramirez family during this time," said Busta via the statement. "Israel Ramirez was not only security for me, but he was a friend, one of the rare friends that you come across that you can trust with your life."

In the statement, Busta also addressed what he meant when he told Ramirez's wife, Amelin Ramirez, and family that he would "do everything in his power to get justice."

"The conversations I have had with Izzy's wife have all been focused on comforting her and helping her get through this," Busta said. "To that end, I've assured her that I will be taking responsibility in making sure that my friend, a devoted husband and a loving father, is laid to rest in a proper fashion.

"In addition, out of respect for the family's desire for, and right to, privacy during this mourning period I made the decision to attend Izzy's wake on the second day rather than the first, knowing that my presence yesterday would have brought unnecessary media attention to a personal and private time of grieving," he added, referring to reports that he did not attend Wednesday's viewing which infuriated the Ramirez family.

The Brooklyn, NY native refused to make any further comments and did not address whether or not he planned on cooperating with the New York Police.

Meanwhile, industry insiders and hip-hop fans seem to have mixed emotions about what Busta's responsibility is in all of this.

"I'm praying for [Busta] because he's in a bad spot," Hot 97 New York on-air personality Fat Man Scoop told SOHH exclusively. "The laws of the street say if you talk to the cops you're a snitch. If you're a snitch, you're not cool. If you're not cool, you don't sell records. Artists aren't talking [to the police] because they abide by these rules."

Scoop said he also afraid that the authorities might try to "box Busta into a situation like they did Lil' Kim."

According to Ian Niles, the defense attorney who represented Shyne in the 2000 Club NY shooting case, that doesn't seem likely.

"Unless [the authorities] can categorically show that he really saw something, the police can't make someone say he saw something," Niles told SOHH exclusively.

Niles said that it is still very possible that Busta may talk.

"That's a decision he'll have to make with his attorney. His lawyer is going to advise him what he can and cannot answer."

Despite hip-hop's "stop snitching" mantra, many fans think Busta should come forward and tell the cops what he knows.

"Dudes are upset," Scoop said when asked what Hot 97 listeners have been saying about the shooting. "They're like, 'The dudes have millions and are squabbling over nothing, while I'm struggling to make my car payment and rent."

SOHH users have also been very vocal with their opinions.

"I always have had love for Busta, and I ALWAYS will, but that incident, in my opinion, was real stupid of Busta and his crew," said drethompson2003. "Who the fuck does he think he is? A mob boss? This nigga has seen Scarface about 10 times more than he should have."

Fellow SOHH user Dopethisfresh supports Busta's no-talk policy.

"He keeps his mouth shot [and] keeps his millions. Logic, common sense? Yes, I think so."

source: http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/8326

[DarkMan]

do u think busta should come forward and say something to the police??

i think he should.....fuck the snitching shit

if he was a true friend of busta....he would say something

[Double U]

Busta will lose his credibility when he talks to the police. He got to handle this without the police.