Celebrity Criminals – Page 8 – The Pen Hustle With Brandy Cavalli

Was New Orleans Rapper McKinley “Mac” Phipps 30-year Prison Sentence Based On Fraudulent Witness Testimony?

At least five witnesses in the 2001 manslaughter conviction against rapper McKinley “MAC” Phipps Jr. were threatened and bullied by prosecutors, says a Huffington Post report.

Phipps, a New Orleans-based artist once signed to No Limit Records, has served almost half of a 30-year sentence for the shooting death of 19-year-old Barron Victor Jr. during a concert.

Yulon James, the prosecution’s star witness, reportedly lied when implicating Phipps as the shooter. James now claims that she “never saw anything” and was threatened and hounded by the office of former St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Walter Reed. “They stalked my house, they stalked my job and they stalked my family,” James said. “The DA came over to my parents’ house and told me I would have my baby in prison if I didn’t testify.”

Phipps has been locked up since age 24. Back then, he went by the stage name “Mac the Camouflage Assassin.” Prosecutors used lyrics in his music against him during the trial, although the now 37-year-old maintains that the raps were taken out of context.

James is one of four other names, including the victim’s currently incarcerated cousin, Jerry Price, who claims to have been threatened, thrown in jail, or ignored by the D.A.’s office.

District Attorney Reed is the current subject of a government probe over misuse of campaign funds and decided not to seek re-election amid the federal investigation. His brother, Richard Reed, was recently indicted and arrested on four federal charges including kidnapping and sexual battery. He’s currently out on bond.

In a statement published by the Times-Picayune, the new D.A., Warren Montgomery, acknowledged the latest allegations surrounding Phipps’ conviction. “Certainly no one wants to see an innocent person remain in jail. But there is a procedure for correcting injustices for those who feel they have been treated unfairly,” said Montgomery. “That procedure is to petition the court with evidence. At that time, I will fulfill my responsibility to respond to the allegations.”

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Rapper’s Mother Creates Art To Raise Awareness About Wrongly Convicted Young Men

Sheila Phipps art — Sheila Phipps with some of her work from the exhibit, “A mother’s art: Every portrait tells a story.”

For those unfamiliar with the back story, former No Limit Records rapper “Mac,” is serving 30 years for manslaughter.

Recently witnesses have recanted their stories which has raised questions of whether Mac is jailed on false testimony by those witnesses.

As of today, it has been 15 years since Mac was convicted but he is hoping for a new trial in wake of the new evidence presented in his favor.

His mother Shelia is a self taught artist based in New Orleans, her art proclaims her son’s innocence.

The article below was originally published back in 2011. It was written as the date approaches for the 10th anniversary of her son’s conviction: Continue reading “Rapper’s Mother Creates Art To Raise Awareness About Wrongly Convicted Young Men”

Incarcerated Rapper Bobby Shmurda Calls Up Radio Station Says Cops That Arrested Him Are Racists

bobbyshmurda1 — Rapper Bobby Shmurda and GS9

GS9′s Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel have been sitting behind bars since December of last year on a slew of charges ranging from murder to narcotics trafficking. Shmurda had previously called into Hot 97 to speak with Ebro In The Morning but the call was abruptly cut short due to technical difficulties.

This time, Bobby Shmurda had Rowdy Rebel on the line with him and despite of their current situation, the duo appear to be in good spirits.

“Right now, we just need someone to have some confidence in us,” Rowdy said of the label’s [Epic Records] reluctance to offer bail. “We ain’t ready to run nowhere and fuck up their bail money.” Continue reading “Incarcerated Rapper Bobby Shmurda Calls Up Radio Station Says Cops That Arrested Him Are Racists”