WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- The state says Wilson Pierre, Jr. and other members have used YouTube videos and song lyrics to intimidate rival gangs for years.
The songs produced in Boynton Beach are a hit on the internet- they talk about "payback" East side verses West side and death to anyone who crosses them.
The videos were shown during Pierre's sentencing today.
The undercover investigator who testified showed the videos with Pierre front and center saying his lyrics prove he is a danger to society.
"They throw out a dare enticing another gang to come try them,"the investigator said. "They start a war."
A war was already brewing Christmas Eve 2006 when Pierre and his friends stormed into the crowded Boynton Beach Mall gunning down a member of a rival gang Berno Charmalade as he shopped with his girlfriend.
"Human life is a precious thing," the judge told Pierre during sentencing today. "When you take a life that friends and family can't replace."
Top 6 and other Haitian-American gangs have been terrorizing the streets of Boynton Beach for close to a decade.
They were even profiled in the History Channel series 'Gangland.'
Still, outside court, Pierre's girlfriend calls the connection a stereotype.
"People listen to lyrics and they automatically think its a gang," said Latasha Russ. "What about rappers? Are they all in gangs?"
Pierre requested that neither his family nor friends speak on his behalf in court.
"He didn't want to see anyone crying or anyone sad," Russ said.
Although he had never been convicted of a felony before the mall shooting the judge sentenced Pierre to a mandatory 40 year sentence, sending a strong signal to other gang members.
"You will be released when you are 65 years old," the judge said. "Hopefully then you will understand the value of a human life."
