Five months after his sentencing, Philadelphia-based rapper Meek Mill was released from prison Tuesday afternoon, according to multiple reports.
Mill, also known as Robert Rihmeek Williams, was freed after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overruled Judge Genece Brinkley’s prior decision to deny Williams bail last week.
Brinkley, who initially sentenced Williams to two to four years in prison in November, had previously denied a bail request in December.
Williams’ November sentencing stemmed from two arrests earlier in 2017. One was for a fight and another was for popping wheelies on a dirt bike. Based on these new charges and a failed drug test, Brinkley had found Williams in violation of probation from a 2008 gun and drug case.
The rapper tweeted out a statement Tuesday afternoon thanking his supporters.
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
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.
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 24, 2018
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.
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 24, 2018
Williams’ legal team had filed a petition in February that questioned on the credibility of a police officer involved in the rapper’s 2007 arrest. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office filed a response to that petition in March, saying “there is a strong showing of likelihood of the Petitioner’s conviction being reversed (in whole or in part).”
Williams’ sentencing led many to voice their support both in person and on social media. November’s #Rally4Meek in Philadelphia saw protesters marching through the streets, chanting “Free Meek Mill” and rapping his song “Dreams and Nightmares.”
Rapper Jay-Z, aka Shawn Carter, has been a staunch supporter of Williams, arguing in a New York Times op-ed in November that “what’s happening to Meek Mill is just one example of how our criminal justice system entraps and harasses hundreds of thousands of black people every day … A person on probation can end up in jail over a technical violation like missing a curfew.”
“As of 2015, one-third of the 4.65 million Americans who were on some form of parole or probation were black,” Carter continued. “Black people are sent to prison for probation and parole violations at much higher rates than white people.”
Most recently, Carter advocated for Williams while speaking to David Letterman for the former “Late Night” host’s Netflix show.
Many on social media, including a slew of celebrities, expressed their excitement Tuesday about Williams’ release.
WOW. @MeekMill welcome home.
— Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) April 24, 2018
Eagles reaction to @MeekMill being realeased from prison. Maybe. Probably??#DreamsAndNightmarespic.twitter.com/HPSvhBlrmq
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 24, 2018
BREAKING: MEEK MILL IS OFFICIALLY FREE FROM PRISON ? pic.twitter.com/M1zoZ9quQQ
— SEASONS (@04SEASONS) April 24, 2018
They made you a political prisoner to silence you… you stood tall and stayed SOLID!!! They can’t stop you now lil bro!!!! It’s almost OVER!!! #MeekOTWpic.twitter.com/B5bndoebx7
— T.I. (@Tip) April 24, 2018
Justice for our friend. Finally free. pic.twitter.com/5RLkcBgohu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 24, 2018
YES MY BROTHER IS FREE ????@MeekMill#RIPSNUPEpic.twitter.com/tgQXuoSRFO
— Lilsnupe (@lilsnupeforlife) April 24, 2018
Williams’ first post on social media after his release was dedicated to the 76ers, posted mere hours before the team would face the Miami Heat in a playoff game.
Many speculated that Williams might appear at the Tuesday night game, especially after 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin said that he would be picking up the rapper from prison.
“Meek Mill is free!” Rubin wrote on Instagram. “Just left visiting Meek with [Kevin Hart] and I’m on the way back to pick him up as we speak.”
Joe Tacopina, Williams’ lawyer, said he was “thrilled” that the court released Williams on bail.
“As we have said all along, Meek was unjustly convicted and should not have spent a single day in jail,” Tacopina said, according to 6ABC, later adding, “Meek is excited to be reunited with his family, and we, along with Meek, intend to continue to shine the light on a justice system in need of reform to prevent any other citizen from being put through what Meek has endured.”
A spokesperson for the D.A.’s office told HuffPost that the court’s decision “on Meek Mill being released on bail is consistent with the position of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.”
“As this is a pending matter, we have no further comment on what may occur in the future in this case,” the spokesperson said, noting that the office had similarly agreed to withdraw prosecution from three lesser-known cases that were “also tainted by potential police credibility issues by following the same procedures and analysis.”
Even the Philadelphia Eagles celebrated Meek Mill’s release on social media, tweeting not long after the rapper released his own statement. In the tweet, a video shows the team running onto the field during Super Bowl LII, which they would later win, with Williams’ song “Dreams and Nightmares” playing in the background.
Hold up, wait a minute. pic.twitter.com/qYsk9RsCgg
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 24, 2018
Ain’t this what they’ve been waiting for?
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