Ex-Rap Manager Rosemond’s Murder for Hire Conviction Stands

The owner of a music management company in New York failed Friday to convince the Second Circuit that his trial lawyer violated his right to manage his trial by conceding to the jury that he hired a hit man but didn’t intend to have the victim killed.

James Rosemond, also known as “Jimmy Henchman,” owned Czar Entertainment, which represented hip-hop, rap, and R&B artists. He was convicted of murder for hire and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years, the court said.

The right to autonomy recognized under the Sixth Amendment allows criminal defendants to make fundamental choices about ...