Rapper Kevhani Hicks seeks Stand Your Ground protection in murder case

MIAMI — In the music world, she’s known as rapper “Key Vhani.”

But in court, 29-year-old Kevhani Hicks is the defendant, charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Omar Demetrie Harris on Oct. 8, 2023.

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Hicks’ defense team says she was defending herself and hopes to have the case against her thrown out under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

The state says Hicks went out with her manager, Nathan Smith, for a night of networking. Smith allegedly invited Harris, another artist, to join them.

Smith testified that Hicks and Harris, who had never met before that night, bickered during a drive from Red Rooster in Overtown to Wynwood.

Videos shown in court show some of what happened after they arrived in Wynwood. Hicks allegedly grabbed her purse from the trunk but began arguing with Smith before the fight turned physical.

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At one point, Harris and Smith allegedly pinned Hicks to the ground while she kicked. The state says Hicks broke free and, as Harris walked away from her, allegedly pulled a gun from her purse and shot him multiple times. Prosecutors say she continued shooting as Harris was crawling.

The defense says Harris threatened to beat Hicks to death and that she was afraid he would attack her.

The court will return Sept. 28, but there will be no ruling that day. Instead, the court will decide when to resume with part two of the proceedings.

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