Meek Mill: Imprisoned rapper to get new trial over probation violations
Judge Genece Brinkley denied the request for his immediate release
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Incarcerated rapper Meek Mill will now get a new trial after the request for his immediate release was denied.
According to the Associated Press, Philadelphia’s district attorney declared that Mill’s “convictions should be vacated and he should have a new trial”.
Ben Waxman – a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office – said a new trial would be given to Mill “due to questions of credibility of the arresting officer”.
However Judge Genece Brinkley made the decision not to let the rapper out of prison on bail during his status hearing on Monday.
The 30-year-old rapper’s lawyers said they planned to reach out to a “higher court” to have Mill released.
Mill’s sentence has been appealed several times, but hasn’t successfully been overturned.
Mill’s defence team has even asked Brinkley to recuse herself from the case
Since Brinkely’s ruling on Monday, Mill’s advocates have been protesting his imprisonment at the Criminal Justice Centre.
A dance party outside of the courthouse supporting Mill erupted outside the courthouse after ruling.
Mill’s grandmother, mother and son were also there to support the rapper.
In November 2017, Mill was sentenced by Brinkley to two to four years in state prison due to violating his probation on a decade-old gun charge.
The rapper has received support from fans and high-profile figures since his imprisonment last year including Rick Ross, Mayor Jim Kenney, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments