JAY-Z Calls Meek Mill's Prison Sentence 'Unjust and Heavy Handed'
JAY-Z is standing up for Meek Mill.
Just one day after the Philadelphia rapper was sentenced to 2-4 years in prison for violating the terms of his probation, the Roc Nation boss took to Facebook to show support for one of his artists.
“The sentence handed down by the Judge — against the recommendation of the Assistant District Attorney and Probation Officer — is unjust and heavy handed,” he wrote. “We will always stand by and support Meek Mill, both as he attempts to right this wrongful sentence and then in returning to his musical career.”
.@MeekMill pic.twitter.com/cm8js8DTJ7
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) November 7, 2017
Other stars have also come to Meek’s side following the judge’s sentence, including his longtime mentor, Rick Ross. “Tests are not for the faint at heart,” wrote Ross. “Every time an obstacle crosses his path, he fights his way through and comes out triumphant. I’ve watched him 1st hand fight this unjust system for close to a decade. But my dawg is a warrior! You know the family is already holding you down during this time of test. Here’s to the future! It will be BRIGHT!”
One of Meek’s lawyers, Joe Tacopina, tells TMZ that the judge has a vendetta against his client. The attorney claims that the judge suggested Meek remake Boyz II Men’s “On Bended Knee” with a shoutout to her during a meeting last year. He claims that she added that she was “not kidding.” When Mill refused, Tacopina claims that the judge responded with: “Okay, suit yourself.” The lawyer believes that the judge showed bias with the 2-4 year sentence.
On Thursday, the judge said Meek violated the terms of his probation on a 2009 drug and weapons case when he was arrested for fighting at a St. Louis airport and for driving recklessly in New York City. Both of those charges were eventually dropped, but the arrests constituted violations, according to the judge.
In 2014, Meek served jail time for probation violation. In December 2015, he violated parole and was sentenced to three months of house arrest the next year. That was later extended due to Mill’s inability to complete community service mandates.
Meek’s camp plans to appeal the latest ruling.