Megaman Faces Retrial As Pal Sentenced To Life

So Solid Crew frontman Dwayne "Megaman" Vincent will face retrial for the murder of Colin Scarlett.

A jury at the Old Baily failed to reach a verdict on 26-year-old Vincents murder charge, but they found his friend Carl Morgan, 24, of Battersea, south London, guilty of shooting Scarlett last year. Morgan, a former producer for So Solid Crew himself, was today sentenced to life and will serve a minimum of 30 years.

Issuing the sentence, Judge Brian Barker told Morgan: "Gun use is the scourge of our streets and causes misery and distress. The message must be all one way " that it will not be tolerated. You expected eye witnesses would be cowed into silence and that ploy very nearly succeeded."

Scarlett was the lover of Morgans ex-girlfriend, and the court heard that Morgan went to pick up a gun after being beaten up by Scarlett earlier the same day.

It was alleged that Megaman, of Barons Court, west London, encouraged his friend to pull the trigger. He denied the claim.

The conviction took place last week - but can only be reported today after a court order was lifted.

Megamans retrial has been set for March 2006.

JH