Meek Mill’s lawyers — Brian McMonagle and Joe Tacopina — are calling out Judge Genece Brinkley.
Back in February, they filed a Post-Conviction Release Act (PCRA) after learning Meek’s arresting officer, Reginald Graham, was flagged on the list of allegedly corrupt Philadelphia cops.
Subsequently, several more Philly natives who believed they were wrongly convicted filed PCRAs. On Friday (April 20), Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper reviewed three of the cases related to Graham and granted the release of three people without a hearing.
According to a press release, McMonagle and Tacopina are “furious” because Brinkley is making Meek sit in jail for two more months until his scheduled PCRA hearing on June 18.
Brinkley also refused to grant him immediate bail earlier this week despite the District Attorney’s Office agreeing Meek should get a new trial.
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“Today’s quick and decisive action by Judge Woods-Skipper to immediately dismiss three cases upon agreement from the District Attorney’s office without the need for a hearing highlights the injustice and inequitable treatment being visited upon Meek,” McMonagle said in a statement sent to HipHopDX. “As was expressed in court on Monday to Judge Brinkley, there is no reason to delay Meek’s case for 60 days or to hold a hearing as the District Attorney agrees that a new trial is warranted.”
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Although the Wins & Losses rapper wasn’t one of the three to get released, he’s happy for the three who did.
“I am thankful that three people’s cases were dismissed by Judge Woods-Skipper after the DA took the exact position that he took in my case, which is agreed to PCRA-relief,” Meek said in a statement. “All these cases involved Reginald Graham and there are another 105 cases that just filed PCRAs with the same corrupt cop. Although my case was the first filed and the DA agreed to my new trial, the judge in my case decided it should wait for a hearing until June 18 yet the other three cases didn’t need a hearing.”
(The original version of this article was published on April 16, 2018 and can be found below.)
Meek Mill had another hearing in a Philadelphia court on Monday (April 16) and it was determined he should get a new trial.
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According to the Philly Inquirer, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said his arresting officer’s credibility has been questioned and therefore, Meek’s original conviction on gun and drug charges should be vacated. It was the first time prosecutors have agreed with Meek’s lawyers that his initial arrest was suspect.
But Judge Genece Brinkley, who sentenced Meek to two to four years in a state prison for probation violations last November, refused to grant the Philly rapper’s request for immediate bail despite learning Meek’s arresting officer, Reginald Graham, was on a list of alleged corrupt Philly cops.
Protesters showed up to the hearing to not only demonstrate their support for Meek but also call for criminal justice reform. Meek’s high profile case has attracted the attention of fellow artists, including JAY-Z and Rick Ross who continue to vocalize their disdain for Meek’s current situation.
Meek was not at the trial on Monday.
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One of Meek’s attorneys, Brian McMonagle, said his team would be filing motions with higher courts seeking to secure Mill’s release “immediately.” McMonagle added his team was “elated” by the District Attorney’s Office’s decision, adding it would be a “reprehensible crime” if Brinkley didn’t approve.
Joe Tacopina, another one of Meek’s lawyers, said, “Now the fact that he’s in jail is even more egregious.”
In a statement sent to HipHopDX, Tacopina added,”We are thrilled that the District Attorney’s office has consented to the PCRA relief which we requested on Meek’s behalf. As a result, the DA agrees that his conviction should be overturned. The DA also stated in open court that the prior DA was aware that Officer Graham was untrustworthy as far back as 2005, which was never disclosed to Meek’s defense team. In light of these significant developments, we are stunned that Judge Brinkley continues to adhere to her view that Meek is not entitled to immediate release on bail. We will apply for emergency relief with the Supreme Court immediately, and are sure that this travesty of justice will be rectified soon.”
Last month, the District Attorney’s office submitted a filing to Meek’s lawyers suggesting his conviction could be “reversed (in whole or in part).” District Attorney Larry Krasner also didn’t oppose Meek’s move for bail.
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Another hearing has been scheduled for June when Judge Brinkley must ultimately decide his fate. [apple_news_ad type=”any”]
