BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A defense attorney for the rapper known as “Lil Boosie,” who is on trial for a murder charge, says violent imagery and lyrics in music are not evidence of a crime.

During closing arguments Friday, defense attorney Jason Williams said the prosecution of the rapper, whose real name is Torence Hatch, was influenced by the nature of his music. Williams says the violent imagery is part of a branding effort meant to sell records.

The 29-year-old Hatch is already serving an eight-year prison term on separate drug charges.

Prosecutors say he hired Michael “Marlo Mike” Louding to kill 35-year-old Terry Boyd, who was shot to death through a window while he was inside his home in 2009. Hatch faces life in prison if convicted.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bruce Springsteen has closed out the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with a 2 ½-hour show that combined crowd-pleasers such as “Born to Run” with the cover tune of his new CD, “Wrecking Ball.”

Fans began staking out spots when the Fair Grounds opened at 11 a.m. Sunday, rushing from the entrance gates to spread blankets and set up chairs as close to the stage as possible. By the time Springsteen stepped on stage fans stretched around the fairgrounds track, some standing 10 to 12 people deep.

At one point New Orleans legend Dr. John took the stage with Springsteen for a number.

Springsteen last played Jazz Fest in 2006.

But if Springsteen was the biggest draw of the day, he was far from the only one.

Soul singer Al Green closed out the day on the Congo Square stage, drawing his faithful.

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Associated Press writer Chevel Johnson contributed to this story.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A new book captures the quirks and talent of one of New Orleans’ most celebrated and eccentric entertainers, his ups and downs, and the era that shaped him.

The title of the book, published by the Historic New Orleans Collection, is “Ernie K-Doe: The R&B Emperor of New Orleans.” Later in life, K-Doe proclaimed himself the “Emperor of the World,” and few of his fans would disagree. K-Doe emerged in the 1960s, and until his death in 2001 was one of the most unforgettable figures in the New Orleans music scene.

Author Ben Sandmel, who lives and plays music in New Orleans, tells K-Doe’s story in lively detail and colorful anecdotes that will keep even those who don’t know him reading.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mel Parnell, the left-handed pitcher who spent his entire 10-year career with the Boston Red Sox and faced some of the best hitters of the 1940s and early 1950s, has died. He was 89.

Parnell, a New Orleans native, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer, said his son, Dr. Mel Parnell Jr.

Mel Parnell was masterful at Fenway Park even though he pitched in front of the Green Monster, a home run hitter’s dream at only 310 feet down the left field line. Parnell had a career record of 123-75, but he was 70-30 at Fenway.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mel Parnell, the left-handed pitcher who faced the infamous Green Monster at Fenway Park and some of the best hitters of the 1940s and early 1950s, has died at age 89.

His son, Dr. Mel Parnell Jr., said Wednesday he informed the team of his father’s death.

Parnell, a New Orleans native, spent his entire 10-year major league career with the Boston Red Sox. His house was a monument of memorabilia to the team, which remained an important part of his life long after his career ended.

Parnell was masterful in Fenway Park, where pitchers fought the green wall, a home run hitter’s dream only 310 feet down the left field line. Parnell had a lifetime record of 123-75, but was 70-30 at Fenway.

KENNER, La. (AP) — They came in T-shirts and jeans to bid on crowns, scepters and capes of Mardi Gras kings and queens, or the jewels and coins tossed to their eager subjects.

The glitzy pageantry and history of New Orleans’ Carnival was sold to the highest bidder Thursday. The baubles might have been faux, but several hundred collectors eagerly bid on exhibits from the city’s once-thriving Mardi Gras Museum.

Designed as a celebration of Mardi Gras when it opened in the suburb of Kenner in 1992, it closed after a souring economy cut into tourism and the city, like many communities around the country, was forced to tighten its budget and cut back on what it funded.