conviction

C-Murder Appeals Murder Conviction Again

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Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance decided to uphold C-Murder’s murder conviction in federal court, after two key witnesses recanted their testimonies. They had previously implicated the rapper, born Corey Miller, in the 2002 murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas. He’s currently serving a life sentence for allegedly carrying out the fatal shooting, but he’s already filed an appeal.

“NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Petitioner, Corey Miller, appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit from the District Court’s decision rendered on November 14, 2023, dismissing Petitioner’s Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus. R. Doc. 14,” the appeal reads. “Additionally, Petitioner prays that this Court grant him a Certificate of Appealability.”

Read More: C-Murder’s Murder Conviction Upheld In Federal Court

C-Murder Continues To Fight His Conviction

C-Murder with girlfriend and Kernel (Photo by Skip Bolen/WireImage)

In Judge Vance’s recent ruling, she claimed that C-Murder failed to “put forth clear and convincing evidence of error in the state courts’ findings of fact.” This is far from the first time his appeal has been denied, however. He’s been working to get his conviction thrown out, or to at least be granted another hearing, for the past 14 years. He was first convicted of the alleged murder in 2009. Kim Kardashian famously brought attention to his case earlier this year after working on it herself for years.

“Louisiana recently enacted a new law that provides innocent people with the ability to raise a post-conviction claim of factual innocence,” she explained in August. “Mr. Miller has raised such a claim and, like all of his prior post-conviction filings, has been denied relief without even so much as an evidentiary hearing. In light of the fact that the only witnesses have completely recanted their testimony, there is absolutely no remaining evidence against Mr. Miller. Corey Miller deserves a day in court to test the veracity of the recanted statements and to prove that he did not shoot Steve Thomas.” Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: C Murder Reveals Hunger Strike, Asks Activists For Help With Appeal

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Suspects In ASAP Press Murder Sentenced To Decades In Prison

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Seven years after Chester Taylor and Darius Hastings shot ASAP Press in the back of the head, the New York State Supreme Court found them both guilty of his death. For those unaware, the A$AP Mob member survived the shooting initially, but succumbed to a fatal seizure in 2018 which stemmed from the attack’s lingering head injury. Moreover, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. sentenced the two men to 20 years to life in state prison on two counts second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. In addition, the crimes at hand include second-degree murder and first-degree assault, according to a press release.

Furthermore, their connection stems from ASAP Press reaching out to Taylor through a mutual friend in July of 2016. Press needed a luxury car for a music video shoot, and Taylor set the rent price at $1,000 for two cars, which Press mostly paid off upfront weeks later. However, Taylor did not provide the vehicles as agreed, and the Harlem native’s attempts to get his money back were unsuccessful. This kept going on for quite some time, at least for a full month before things escalated.

Read More: A$AP Rocky Sued By Former A$AP Mob Member Over Shooting: Report

ASAP Mob Mourns Its Fallen Member Press

In late August of 2016, Taylor threatened ASAP Press over his consistent attempts and warned him to call it quits over the phone. It’s also possible that Press made threats in the other direction, but regardless, after this series of text message interactions, Taylor contacted his friend, Hastings. They met up with the collective member in Harlem and shot him, but he survived. Years later, while attending a music festival in Houston, Press passed away, and a medical examiner found that the seizure directly related to the shooting’s head injury.

“Chester Taylor and Darius Hastings shot and killed a young Harlemite with great ambitions, talent and a bright future,” the Manhattan D.A. remarked. “Although Pressie Taylor Jr. miraculously survived the shooting in its initial aftermath, his life was forever changed. He made a valiant attempt at resuming his life and music career, but unfortunately, he succumbed to the effects of his serious injuries, depriving his family and community of a promising star. Thanks to the jury’s careful review of the evidence, both defendants were found to be responsible for his murder. I hope that the sentences imposed today bring the victim’s family some form of peace.” For more news and the latest updates on the ASAP Mob, come back to HNHH.

Read More: A$AP Bari Accuses A$AP Mob Member Of Snitching On A$AP Rocky

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Jussie Smollett Is Directing A New Movie Starring Vivica A. Fox

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According to reports, Jussie Smollett is currently directing a new movie starring Vivica A. Fox. Smollett was spotted on set of the film, titled The Lost Holiday, yesterday. Photos from the set shared by TMZ show the two working alongside each other in Orange County. Smollett and Fox also previously worked together on the series Empire.

Smollett is also in the process of appealing his conviction for faking a hate crime in 2019. In March of this year, his attorneys filed an appellant brief claiming that the court “committed reversible error” and was “excessive” in its sentencing. They later shared a statement about the appeal. “If Mr. Smollett’s convictions are allowed to stand, this case will set a dangerous precedent,” it reads, “by giving prosecutors a second bite at the apple any time there is dissatisfaction with another prosecutor’s exercise of discretion.” Furthermore, the actor will have to serve five months if the appeal fails. Smollett’s court hearing is scheduled to take place in December.

Read More: Vivica A. Fox & 50 Cent: Actress Expresses Interest In Reconciling Romantically With Rapper

Vivica A. Fox Supports Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett Is Directing A New Movie Starring Vivica A. Fox
Vivica A. Fox attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of “CREED III” at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 27, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)

Fox has continued to stick by Smollett amid the controversy surrounding the 2019 hoax. She previously told TMZ that she plans to “do something with him in the future.” Now, it appears that day has come.

Fox also made headlines earlier this month for claiming that she’s not opposed to rekindling her romance with 50 Cent. She appeared on Sherri Shepherd’s talk show where the two discussed the possibility. “Well, [Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez] did it again. Why not?” Fox asked the host. The two then continued to joke, and Fox explained that her ex is unfortunately already taken. “He has a beautiful girlfriend by the name of Cuban Link,” she said. “Recently, he gave her something, but I don’t know if it was an engagement ring. But it was a beautiful ring.”

Read More: 50 Cent Reacts To Vivica A. Fox’s “First Lady Of BMF” Movie: “What The F*ck Is This Man!”

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Tory Lanez Calls For A “Fair Trial” During New Phone Call From Prison

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Tory Lanez shared a new phone call from prison on Instagram, Tuesday. During the clip, he criticizes the DNA evidence that the prosecution used to put him behind bars. He says that thorough testing of the weapon used to shoot Megan Thee Stallion should have exonerated him from the crime. The post comes after Lanez’s lawyer, Jose Baez, teased that his client will be releasing information about the DNA testing used in the trial, earlier this week.

“@gasconforlada PLEASE put an end to this INJUSTICE…,” Lanez captioned the phone call video. “Many BLACK AND HISPANIC MINORITIES are falling victim to these same OUTRAGEOUS and DISGUSTING TRICKS and TACTICS. Someone NEEDS to stand up for US! Everyone PLEASE PRAY that the Honourable Judge David Herriford returns me to FREEDOM and a FAIR trial.”

Megan Thee Stallion Arrives In Court

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 13: Megan Thee Stallion whose legal name is Megan. Pete arrives at court to testify in the trial of Rapper Tory Lanez for allegedly shooting her on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Bobby Shmurda commented on Lanez’s post, revealing that he dealt with similar issues with his own trial. “Alex Spyro was my lawyer send me upstate for 7 years for my first gun charge first felony I was convicted of,” he wrote. “I was sentenced to the max after having to pay him over $100,000.” Shmurda was convicted on charges of conspiracy to murder, and weapons possession, as well as reckless endangerment, and sentenced to seven years in prison. He regained his freedom following six years in prison in February 2021.

Jose Baez is currently representing Tory Lanez. He wrote in an Instagram Story post, earlier this week: “Today is national DNA day and we are happy to announce that Tory Lanez will be releasing information about the DNA in his case that gave false and misleading information to his jury #freetorylanez.” A jury found Lanez guilty of three charges regarding the shooting back in December 2022. The charges against him include assault with a semi-automatic firearm; having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle; and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He is currently in prison and awaiting sentencing while facing up to 22 years in prison.

Tory Lanez’s Phone Call

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R. Kelly Files For Appeal In Federal Sex Crimes Case In NY

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R. Kelly has filed for an appeal in his federal sex crimes case based in New York. According to TMZ, the disgraced singer cites a “laundry list of reasons” he believes the conviction should be overturned. Kelly was previously found guilty in 2021 on nine total federal counts. They included RICO charges in addition to charges pertaining to sex crimes and human trafficking.

As for Kelly’s issues with the conviction, he argues the government did not meet its burden of proof in court. In the filing, his legal team brings up issues with several pieces of evidence prosecutors were allowed to submit during the trial. The lawyers also take issue with at least 4 of the jurors selected. They say in the time since, they’ve admitted prejudging his guilt before handing down their official verdict.

R. Kelly In Court

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly turns to leave after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. (Photo by Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty Images)

As for Kelly’s original conviction, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the charges. He’s also serving an additional 20 years for a similar case in Chicago. At the time of his New York sentencing, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated: “R. Kelly used his fame, fortune and enablers to prey on the young, the vulnerable and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification, while many turned a blind eye. Through his actions, Kelly exhibited a callous disregard for the devastation his crimes had on his victims and has shown no remorse for his conduct.”

He continued: “With today’s sentence he has finally and appropriately been held accountable for his decades of abuse, exploitation and degradation of teenagers and other vulnerable young people. We hope that today’s sentence brings some measure of comfort and closure to the victims, including those who bravely testified at trial, and serves as long-overdue recognition that their voices deserve to be heard and their lives matter.”

As for Kelly’s Chicago conviction, he has yet to file for appeal in that matter. Following the sentencing, his lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, told TMZ at the time: “We feel good. Sentence was mostly concurrent. One additional year added. Almost no restitution. Good outcome. But we are still going to fight the NY case!”

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R. Kelly Charged With 20 More Years In Prison, Twitter Reacts

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R. Kelly, who has already been behind bars with a 30-year sentence, is now charged with 20 more years in prison. Just last year, the 56-year-old rapper received charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, CNN reports. The current federal case reached its sentencing conclusion today (February 23rd), with Kelly serving additional time for child pornography and enticing a minor. The presiding judge on the case was US District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber announced in court that 19 of the years will be served concurrently with his previous sentence, with the other year being added to the 30-year sentence.

Initially convicted last September, Kelly was facing three counts of child pornography, and three counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, the outlet reports. The “Back Up” singer had faced similar charges in 2002 but received the verdict of not guilty. In all, Kelly’s most recent sentencing reflects three decades of his torment of underage victims. One of these victims emotionally depicted the aftermath of the repeat sex offender’s actions, which attorney Christopher Brown conveyed in court. She wrote, “I have lost my dignity due to Robert Kelly. I have lost my dreams due to Robert Kelly. I have lost my teenage years to Robert Kelly.”

R. Kelly To Serve Sentence Concurrently With Existing 30-Years

Repeat sex offender R. Kelly to serve 19 years concurrently with current 30-year sentence. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Sentencing guidelines for Kelly’s case ranged from 11.25 to 14 years for the defense, and 14 to 17 years for the prosecution. The legal team representing the rapper argued, “in the unlikely event that Kelly was to survive his 30-year sentence, there is no reason to believe he would re-offend as a geriatric in his mid-80s. The overwhelming majority of Kelly’s criminal conduct was committed a quarter century ago.” The decision for the concurrent sentencing remained in the court’s hands.

With the updates in Kelly’s high-profile case circulating today, many Twitter users sharing their opinions over the additional 20-year sentencing. “R kelly is getting 20 years in prison, one enthusiastic user tweeted, “im sooooo happy.” Others, however, weren’t happy with the concurrent sentence. “As it stands now, R Kelly will serve no more than 31 years in prison. If he survives, he will be let out of prison again around the age 80. What a life, gone way wrong,” one user reflected. Be sure to check out more Twitter reactions to R. Kelly down below, and don’t forget to keep up with HNHH for the hottest news in hip-hop.

Twitter Reacts:

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