The Oxygen network’s long-running true crime series Snapped returns with an examination of the case of Sasha Skare, who was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of rapper Martell Derouen, cousin of Beyoncé. The episode airs on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
On January 26, 2021, 34-year-old Martell Derouen, a rising rapper and cousin of superstar Beyoncé, was shot and killed. Sasha Skare was convicted of his murder and faced a potential sentence of 55 years in prison. Prosecutors alleged that Skare intentionally shot Derouen after banging on his door, seeking confrontation. However, Skare testified that the shooting was not premeditated and occurred during a heated fight between the two.
During the trial, prosecutor Ashley Jones argued that Skare’s actions constituted murder, stating, “[Skare] was banging on the door to get Martell to come and deal with her, and then she shot him. That is murder.” Skare’s defence attorney, Valarie Hedlund, presented a different narrative, claiming that the shooting was a traumatic experience for Skare, who sustained injuries during the fight with Derouen. Hedlund supported this claim by showing jurors photographs of Skare’s alleged injuries sustained on the night of the shooting.
In a pivotal moment, Skare was offered a plea deal that would reduce her sentence to 20 years in prison. However, she rejected this offer, maintaining her position that she did not intentionally kill Derouen. The episode examines the intricate details of the case, exploring the evidence, testimonies, and the ultimate outcome of Skare’s trial.
Snapped: Sasha Skare airs on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. on Oxygen.
