Rapper Meek Mill, right, accompanied by his attorney Brian Mcmonagle arrives at the criminal justice center in Philadelphia on Nov. 6, 2017.(Photo: Matt Rourke, AP)
Meek Mill is finally free.
The rapper’s lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, confirmed to USA TODAY that the rapper was freed on bail Tuesday after Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ordered a judge to release him while he appeals decade-old gun and drug convictions.
“We are thrilled that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has directed Judge Brinkley to immediately issue an order releasing Meek on bail,” said Tacopina in a statement. “As we have said all along, Meek was unjustly convicted and should not have spent a single day in jail.”
Mill immediately vowed via social media to use his spotlight to “shine a light” on how America’s criminal justice systems treat people of color.
The Philadelphia-born rapper (real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams) has been fighting for release from jail for the past five months.
Mill was sentenced in November to two to four years in prison for violating probation on a roughly decade-old gun and drug case (a ruling opposed at the time by the Philadelphia district attorney and Meek’s probation officer).
But in March, the most damning piece of evidence came to light when Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner admitted that Mill may have been unjustly convicted thanks to a cop who lied at his 2008 trial. Krasner said he would not oppose Mill’s immediate release on bail pending appeal of his case.
Because hundreds of other convictions have already been reversed based on information provided by a whistleblowing cop, “there is a strong showing of likelihood of (Mill’s) conviction being reversed (in whole or in part),” Krasner said in a statement at the time. “Therefore the Commonwealth is unopposed to (Mill’s) petition for bail.”
Lawyers for Mill have accused Judge Genece Brinkley, who sentenced Mill 10 years ago and has subsequently tacked on 14 years of probation, of having “a personal vendetta” against him. An investigation by Rolling Stone said Brinkley “repeatedly torched his rap career each time he was poised for mega-stardom.”
Since last fall, Mill and his lawyers have been trying and failing to persuade Brinkley to release him on bail while his case is appealed. On Tuesday, Mill’s lawyer said the legal team was “also pleased that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has noted that Judge Brinkley may opt to remove herself from presiding over any further proceedings in Meek’s case in the interests of justice.”
The district attorney’s office also weighed in on Tuesday. “As our office has made clear in recent court filings, the Pa. Supreme Court’s decision on Meek Mill being released on bail is consistent with the position of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office,” Ben Waxman, spokesperson for the DA, said in a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday.
Waxman noted that “just last week, our office agreed to withdraw prosecution from three lesser-known individuals whose cases were also tainted by potential police credibility issues by following the same procedures and analysis.”
The case – and Philadelphia’s treatment of minorities – has come under national scrutiny, particularly after two innocent black men were arrested for asking to use a bathroom in an area Starbucks.
A national movement has surged in Mill’s defense, along with a hashtag: #FreeMeekMill.
While in prison, Mill has received high-profile visits from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin, Colin Kaepernick and Philadelphia’s mayor. Kraft has subsequently called for reform of the criminal justice system.
On Tuesday, Mill tweeted his thanks, calling the past five months “a nightmare.”
“I’d like to thank God, my family, and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time,” he tweeted. “While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive.”
I’d like to thank God, my family, and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time. While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive.
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 24, 2018
Mill continued: “To the Philly District Attorney’s office, I’m grateful for your commitment to justice. I understand that many people of color across the country don’t have that luxury and I plan to use my platform to shine a light on those issues. In the meantime, I plan to work closely with my legal team to overturn this unwarranted conviction and look forward to reuniting with my family and resuming my music career.”
Kevin Hart added his support on Instagram. “Meek Mill is Frrrrreeeeeeeee ….I just left from seeing him in jail with (Rubin) and we were just told that he is being released. Woooooooow……Stand Up Philadelphia!!!!!”
“I’m on the way back to pick him up as we speak!” wrote Rubin on Instagram.
According to New York Times reporter Daniel Victor, the 76ers co-owner said it’s “more likely than not” Mill will attend Game 5 tonight, “and he’ll ring the ceremonial bell pre-game if he can get there in time.”
Contributing: The Associated Press
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