Words by Ime Ekpo
On Tuesday (Nov. 8), Commons Pleas Court Judge Genece E. Brinkley sentenced Philly MC Meek Mill to two to four years in state prison for alleged probation violations hailing from a 2008 gun and drug case.
According to Mill’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, the harsh sentencing given by Brinkley is indeed, personal. Due to the history of the 2008 gun and drug case, there has been a notably established tension between Meek and Judge Brinkley.
Tacopina revealed to TMZ, Meek and the judge are from the same neighborhood in Philly and are even associated with the same social stature. Due to such a connection, amidst a meeting in chambers last year, the judge requested Meek to do a cover of Boyz II Men’s “On Bended Knee” and suggested the rapper give her a shout out on the record. She insisted on the act by saying, “I’m not kidding,” and when Meek dismissed her request, her response was, “Okay, suit yourself.”
The bias based sentencing is apparent to Tacopina, especially since the prosecutors (the chief legal representative who makes a complaint charging the defendant) did not recommend a second of jail time. With the use of such evidence, Meek Mill’s attorney plans to appeal the harsh sentencing.