Meek Mill has secured a victory regarding his probation violation case.
Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner wants a new judge for Meek Mill’s previous probation violation case. As we remember, Meek Mill’s case didn’t seem like a fair one, even from the outside looking in. The judge presiding over the case, Genece Brinkley, was heavily scrutinized for her “bias” towards Meek Mill.
“the public perception of unfairness and bias is exactly what the court’s behavior has engendered here.”
That apparent bias led to a 2-4 year sentence from Brinkley, while also setting herself up for constant criticism from Mill’s defense, fans, and even other rappers.
This criticism led to Krasner wanting a new judge for Mill’s case and he explained his exact reasoning with one factor that especially stood out. Judge Brinkley checking in on Mill’s community service work, which the last time I checked, isn’t her job.
“Here, instead of asking a probation officer to visit the shelter to assess Williams’ compliance with the court’s community service requirement,” Krasner said of that moment, “Judge Brinkley personally assumed the role of investigator. No evidence suggests that the judge routinely made this type of unannounced personal visit to monitor her other probationers.”
This is basically the same as a teacher hawk watching a “problem child” 24/7, hoping and praying that that child makes one little mistake. It isn’t fair and it isn’t right in the slightest.
For the violation by Brinkley above and others, Krasner called for Meek to have a new trial with a brand new judge.
“for the above-stated reasons, Appellant [Robert] Williams should be awarded a post-conviction relief in the form of a new trial. In the alternative, his recusal motion should be granted and this matter should be remanded for a violation of probation hearing before a new judge.”
Good for Meek Mill and good for the fight for criminal justice reform across the country. This case is a prime example of why the fight for criminal justice reform is so important. Cases like these are filled with judges like Genece Brinkley and put too many innocent citizens in prison.
Keep the fight.