Many rappers have been locked up but few of them have ever had their convictions overturned, especially when it comes to homicide. McKinley “Mac” Phipps (also referred to as Mac the Camouflage Assassin) may be a rare exception as new evidence suggests the prosecution was too quick in accusing the once promising emcee.
Recently, five prosecution witnesses told The Huffington Post that law enforcement and prosecutors “bullied” them into making a hasty selection for a suspect, subsequently choosing Phipps as the gunman. His lawyers are now claiming they have enough evidence overturn his conviction, setting him free.
“There is an undeniable pattern of irregularities that is very easy to see,” defense attorney Buddy Spell told The Huffington Post last week. “We’re talking about major flaws in the testimony that was presented to the jury–testimony that no longer stands up.”
Mac Phipps was convicted of the shooting death of a teenage fan during one of his shows just days after September 11, 2001. He is slated to serve 30 years for manslaughter. Earlier this year Mac maintained his innocence and explained how he had new found hope in a renewed investigation regarding the shooting: “I just hope that this [renewed investigation] leads to the eventual outcome, which is having the truth come out,” he told XXL. “That’s what I’ve been advocating since I came here: the truth. Hopefully all of this will shed some light on some things that happened.”
Mac was a member of the 504 Boyz: a rap group from New Orleans, Louisiana signed to No Limit Records. The collective also included members Master P, C-Murder, Silkk The Shocker, Mystikal and a young Curren$y.
For more on Mac and other trials where rap lyrics are being used as evidence in criminal cases, view the DX Daily below:
Free Mac!!!!!!!!!2cds and still my favorite rapper
him mystikal fiend and mia x were the coldest
I used to bump shell shocked in HS,nigga could spit
Thought it was mac man
why do nobodys flock to rap music. rap music is a lovely thing….
Free bg mac c murder
Free MAC! Check out the camouflage truth dvd.. this is evidence that has been out for years and this shouldve been overturned YEARS ago… the system in LA is way too corrupt.
Good to see one of the best no limit rappers may be gettin out….
Soon as they release you fam, sue the government for at least $20m. Get rich my nigga, you deserve it.
judicial system is a joke..too bad he missed all these years especially since he, mystical and mia x were the best ones in the crew..
I still want to know who gets 30 years for manslaughter? People get 2nd degree murder charges and get 15 years and are out in 10 with good behavior. That’s why black men can’t put ourselves in these predicaments because the system is slanted against you. Think about that before you go out to the club or are even out at night, so cover your bases.
A lot of the people that are getting 15 years for 2nd degree murder and getting out in 10 years are what color? Thanks for playing.
He was actuality at a talent show case his mother was throwing,He was not just out hanging in the club.
You could listen to Mac’s ‘Shell shocked’ album right now and it will still me 1000 times better than the shit thats hot in rap n hip hop right now. Free Mac asap.
Strik9 Records?
Free Mac homie was a beast and had a lot of talent it’s sad to see how they ruin his life and rap career..I hope he comes home and beats that bullshit case they put on him..World War 3 was a sick and underrated album to me Mac was like the Nas of the South.
Mac album WWIII is a classic. Dude spit real lyrics and make you think about life. Legend!!!! RESPECT
FREE MAC!!! I was just bumpin Shell Shock. Its still one of my favorite albums.
THIS NEEDS TO GO TO TRIAL SOMEWHERE ELSE IMMEDIATELY. THIS MAN NOT ONLY NEEDS TO BE SET FREE BUT PAID RESTITUTION, HE COULD HAVE MADE MILLIONS INSTEAD OF BEING BEHIND BARS!
One of the first things several professors (all whom are active practicing attorneys) taught me as a student studying the law, is that the law is not just. At the time, I thought i understood, but the truth is, I didn’t completely understand until now. How could our justice system fail so miserably? How could we as a society unjustly throw an innocent man in jail and hide evidence that is crucial to proving that person’s innocence? If our justice system cannot admit fault when that fault is so unambiguous, then we dont have a system that is just at all. And if this does not stop, the system will continue to fail us as a society. Who knows? It could be your son or daughter whom is failed next.