Skip to main content
Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Jury won’t know defendants’ criminal histories in Chattanooga rapper murder trial

jury-wont-know-defendants-criminal-histories-chatt
jury-wont-know-defendants-criminal-histories-chatt jury-wont-know-defendants-criminal-histories-chatt

Jurors deliberating a verdict in the murder trial of two Chattanooga men charged in the 2009 home invasion shooting death of local rapper Robert “Brikk” Brown will not know that both men pleaded guilty to similar charges in separate cases years ago.

Dexter L.Talley Jr., 31, and Alonzo “Butch” Grace, 43, were identified by an eyewitness and alleged victim as two of as many as six men who were involved in the killing of Brown, 33.

Grace pleaded guilty in 1993 to one count each of attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, aggravated robbery and robbery.

He was sentenced to 15 years, to serve 30 percent, or 5 years, due to his then-criminal history.

Talley pleaded guilty in 2002 to a charge of aggravated assault, which had originally been lodged as an aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to probation.