Philadelphia-based rapper Meek Mill, who was convicted for weapons and drugs possession, might be coming out of prison soon.
The 30-year-old, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, was sentenced back in November to two to four years in prison for violating his probation from cases dating back in 2008. The district attorney has stated on Wednesday, March 14, that he will not oppose the release of the "Dreams and Nightmares" rapper on bail.
The statement comes as a surprise to the contentious case. Mill has been under house arrest or in jail for over two years now, most recently for probations violations. His lawyers have been trying to persuade the judge to release the rapper on bail while the case was being appealed, but they were repeatedly rejected.
Mill's case is especially of interest not only to fans and fellow rappers but also to Philadelphia because the artist might have been unfairly convicted when a cop allegedly lied during the 2008 trial.
#FreeMeekMill
"In the event (Mill's) conviction is reversed (in whole or in part) as a result of post-conviction proceedings, the risk of an unjust or disproportionate sentence having been served exists," said Larry Krasner, district attorney. "That risk increases as long as (Mill) remains in custody."
Several other convictions have been reversed after a whistleblower revealed the massive corruption scandal within the local police force. Similarly, Krasner believes that there is a strong likelihood that the rapper's conviction will be reversed.
In addition, Mill's case will not be the only one that needs to be revisited after the list of cops accused of misconduct and barred from testifying in court has been exposed. Officer Reginald Graham, the officer who arrested the rapper in 2007, was included in a "Do Not Call" list, a list of former and current police officers whom prosecutors sought to keep off the witness stand. According to Philly.com, the law enforcer was investigated by federal authorities for alleged corruption.
Officer Graham was the sole witness that testified against the rapper in his 2008 trial.
Mill's legal team has already filed a motion accusing the local cop of lying under oath to secure the rapper's, then 19 years old, arrest.
One More Roadblock
The "All Eyes On You" rapper is also hoping that the presiding judge, Genece E. Brinkley, who sentenced the rapper to two to four years in prison, be removed from the case. Mill's attorney, Joe Tacopina, criticized Brinkley, who he says was "enamored" with his client. He added that the judge asked Mill to write a song about her and even showed up to the rapper's community service project.
Reports in November claims that the FBI has launched a probe into Judge Brinkley over accusations of misconduct.
Thinking Positive
"I'm just happy to be able to shed light on the situation," said the rapper in a conversation with his mother and Reverend Al Sharpton. "I'm the platform for other people to fight for their freedom."
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