Death sentence on line for would-be rapper in triple killing

DALLAS (AP) — A former University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff student who once aspired to become a famous rapper now has his life on the line after his capital murder conviction in the shooting deaths of three people at a Dallas drug house.

The penalty phase opens Monday in the trial of Justin Pharez Smith, 24, in which prosecutors will present evidence in their bid for a death sentence.

The weekend of the shooting, authorities said Smith asked his college mentor to buy him a bus ticket to Dallas and loan him $150.