Life

Rapper Meek Mill freed from jail after months-long campaign

April 25, 2018
Meek Mill
Meek Mill

PHILADELPHIA - Rapper Meek Mill, who had been incarcerated for five months on a probation violation, was released from a Pennsylvania jail on Wednesday, his attorney said, after the state's top court granted him bail, capping a star-laden campaign to have him freed.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered a lower court to release the "All Eyes on You" rapper and grant him a new hearing because of "credibility issues with a police officer who was a 'critical witness'" in his 2008 gun and drug convictions, court documents show.

Meek Mill's attorney, Joe Tacopina, said on Wednesday that the 30-year-old rapper had been released from jail near Philadelphia.

"I'd like to thank God, my family and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time," Meek Mill said in statement on Twitter.

"While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive," he added.

Meek Mill, whose legal name is Robert Williams, was sentenced in November to two-four years in state prison for probation violations stemming from his 2008 conviction.

His case, which became a cause for recording artists, athletes and celebrities, was seen by criminal justice reform advocates as emblematic of a legal system they say treats minorities unjustly and hands out too harsh of punishments. - Reuters


April 25, 2018
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