Jemal Trotter, 39

Nov. 8, 2008, 6 p.m.

Jemal Trotter, a 39-year-old black man, was shot and killed in the 10200 block of Vermont Avenue shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2008. A black man with him was shot and wounded in the arm, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department records.

The shootings took place in an unincorporated area of L.A. County near South Los Angeles.

—Anthony Pesce

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Six reader comments

— syscom3, sadly, yes. Even sadder still, also (allegedly) in circumstances surrounded by a female. I do not know facts of either case particularly, I only know "speculation" from the streets. I make no excuses for the way Spooky lived his life, yet he only harmed himself in his decisions; the death sentence was not deserved. He chose the life of the streets and the consequences of that choice subsequently took his life. I feel for his mother, family, and children. I recall running across one of his baby mothers, she knew nothing about his death, the bank look on her face when I told her of his death was one of "wow, it finally happened" more than "OMG, THEY KILLED JEMAL!" She said "Thanks" and walked away. It was no shock that he was killed in the streets, it was only sad to know that he never got to live a productive life and raise his children as a good father should. My heart aches for the loss but aches much stronger for those he left behind with nothing.

— Just Remembering Feb. 4, 2011 at 4:22 p.m.

First and foremost, NOBODY could lead him down any path. What you mean to say is HE lead her right down that shady past with him.

You don't know her to speak of her in that manner. Did you think she didn't have FAMILY who would love her regardless of where he took her? Get real folks. He caused his own demise by being somewhere he should not have been chasing some gang members. If he had been at home, or LOOKING FOR JOB, In CHURCH, ANYWHERE but out doing what he did, he would still be here.

Stop blaming others for HIS CHOICES! I hope the young man rests in peace. Think about what he did the the WOMAN as you call her. She has family and we do love her. He took her DOWN with him. So, miss me with the EXCUSES.

I send my prayers to his family and friends. God Decides the date and as much as we all don't like it. We don't choose when we come into this earth or when we leave. I know GOD has other plans for him and others.

This should really be a lesson as to what we value the most. Family and the choices we make affect so many others. I want peace for his family and making idol remarks is as much disrespect as talking about someone he abused, led down a darker path and was left for other's to figure it out. So, if none of us are throwing stones, PLEASE keep your rocks. You act like you don't live in a GLASS HOUSE as well.

May God continue to bless him mother and family. May she find peace in knowing that God has him and at the end we all are on God's payroll.

— Dee Dee Feb. 4, 2011 at 2:32 p.m.

Sorry that your Brother was murdered but understand Cha'Monique wasn't there and had nothing to do with it. Jemal had been told not to walk around in that neighborhood sagging and with ponytails with blue barrettes say whatever you want about your brother but what you're not going to do is disrespect my Cousin saying "that Woman was bad from the start" she didn't lead him to do anything little did you know she walked around sporting black eyes and busted lips given to her by Jemal she tried relentlessly to be done with him and he kept finding her and dragging her back I was there I saw his actions with my very own eyes so while you're throwing stones like you live in a glass house it was God's choice to take him from this Earth not Cha'monique's. She may have had some issues but he had mental issues that you choose to ignore beating a woman is not being lead down a dark street he came into her life with a dark side and left with an even darker side we didn't want her with him as much as you didn't want him with her so God heard all of our Prayers go figure

— Blk Barbee Feb. 4, 2011 at 9:48 a.m.