Slim Dunkin murder trial set to begin
Opening statements are expected to begin in Fulton County Superior Court on Tuesday morning in the murder trial of an Atlanta rapper accused in the December 2011 fatal shooting of fellow rapper Slim Dunkin.
Dunkin, born Mario Hamilton, was recording at a Memorial Drive studio where his alleged killer, Vinson Hardimon, 30, was waiting his turn. Hardimon is also known as Young Vito.
Hamilton, 24 at the time, grabbed a banana taffy chew belonging to Hardimon, according to the incident report. Hardimon snapped at Hamilton, who proceeded to rap about a man with dreadlocks.
Hardimon, who has dreads, burst into the studio and began punching Hamilton, according to witnesses. After they were separated, Hardimon allegedly produced a gun and shot the Gucci Mane protege in the abdomen.
“I ain’t got time to be playing games,” Hardimon said as he stomped off, according to a witness. His attorney has argued that his client, nine inches shorter than Hamilton, fired the bullet in self-defense.
Hardimon, charged with murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, surrendered two weeks later after hearing of threats on his life.
He was out on bond at the time after allegedly threatening a woman and her daughter with a pistol in April 2011. Prosecutors say it was Hardimon’s ninth arrest, four of which involved a gun.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
