Out of jail, Meek Mill tries to get his former cellmate released
Philadelphia rapper, Meek Mill is a voice for prison reform, but also plans to help those who are wrongfully incarcerated.
Since his surprising release from prison on April 24, Philadelphia rapper, Meek Mill has made it clear that he not only wants to be a voice to encourage prison reform, but he also plans to help those who are wrongfully incarcerated. The first person he has in mind is his former cellmate, Eric Riddick.
Riddick has been in jail since 1992, serving a life sentence after being convicted of murdering his friend. In this case, a witness’ testimony was recanted, three different accounts said Riddick was not near the scene of the crime, and two judges believe he’s “likely innocent.” All of these factors have pushed Meek Mill to take to his Instagram to push for his friend’s release.
“We’re the people who have to be judged by these people,” Meek told ABC News. “I think we should all use our power and [vote for] people who are normal people and people who will use power with morals.”
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Riddick was convicted of murdering his friend in 1992, and despite a recanted witness testimony and three alibis that proved Riddick was nowhere near the scene of the crime, he remains in prison due to Pennsylvania’s Post Conviction Relief Act. Following the recanted testimony in 2003, Riddick attempted to appeal under that law, but it was deemed too late to take into court consideration since PCRA requires appeals to be requested within 60 days when newfound evidence is discovered.
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Meek Mill says that while he has no current plans to present Riddick’s case at the White House unless the Trump administration would be serious in considering it.
“The only way I would be involved with the White House is if the White House is helping non-violent drug offenders or people who have got large amounts of time for crimes that don’t match the time,” he said. Riddick’s case is currently under review by the Conviction Integrity Unit in Philadelphia.
