#cut50 Comments as Meek Mill Continues Fight for Freedom Despite Judge's Silence on His Three Motions

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- #cut50 comments on the announcement from Meek Mill and his attorneys who today announced that they have filed three motions to the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court to free the hip-hop star from his two- to four-year prison sentence.

The three motions that were filed by Mill's legal team – led by Brian McMonagle and Joe Tacopina – include:

• Motion for Recusal – The defendant requested the recusal of Judge Genece E. Brinkley in this case and that the President Judge, or the Supervising Judge of the Trial Division, Criminal Section, assign a new judge for any further proceedings.
• Motion to Modify Sentence – The defendant requested the termination of his probation, release from confinement and resentencing to a term of time served.
• Motion for Bail – The defendant requested unsecured bail on the same terms and conditions which applied to his probation prior to August 1, 2017.

The Commonwealth of Philadelphia will not file any opposition to the three motions that Mill's attorneys have submitted over the past week. Both the Commonwealth – represented by the Assistant District Attorney – and Mill's Probation Officer recommended against the 30-year-old's imprisonment during his hearing on Nov. 6.

Brinkley has yet to respond to the motions, the first of which was filed to the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court on Nov. 14 by McMonagle and Tacopina.

"The Judge's lack of attentiveness to this matter is a travesty," said Tacopina. "While Meek fights for his freedom in prison, the Judge is out of town and neglecting to acknowledge a single motion that we've filed on his behalf. It's heartbreaking that Meek will have to spend his Thanksgiving away from his loved ones while the Judge continues to abuse her judicial power."

Mill was originally scheduled for a bail hearing on November 27 at 9 a.m. ET only for the Philadelphia courts to cancel the appointment for what they deemed "an administrative error." If Brinkley fails to answer the motions, Tacopina and McMonagle intend to appeal to the Superior Court.

#cut50 continues to reiterate that Mill's case typifies deep cracks and fissures in the criminal justice reform system, and these motions further bolster that claim. The public is no safer with Mill behind bars, and as Thanksgiving approaches, his separation from family only serves to risk severing his bond with his family.

"That Meek Mill won't get to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family is tragic, but its made even more tragic when we zoom out and focus on all of the incarcerated men and women, who are experiencing the same. These systemic abuses cannot and should not be tolerated, and Meek's case gives us the opportunity to chart a new path forward," said Jessica Jackson, Executive Director of #cut50.

"There are over 61,000 men and women behind bars for minor violations of their parole and probation this holiday season.  Worse yet, precious taxpayer resources that could be used to prevent future crimes are instead being spent to keep them there," said Shaka Senghor, #cut50 Director of Strategy and Innovation.

About #cut50

#cut50,­ an initiative of The Dream Corps­, is a national bipartisan effort to reduce the number of people in our prisons and jails while making our communities safer. We envision a criminal justice system that recognizes the humanity of the 2.2 million people currently behind bars in America and moves toward compassion and treatment rather than punishment and incarceration. With empathy, understanding, and love we can build the political will needed to rectify the damage caused by the incarceration industry on individuals, families and our society.

The Dream Corps helps cutting-edge initiatives grow big enough to impact millions of lives. We support economic, environmental and criminal justice innovators – all under one roof. Our shared platform helps leaders create synergies, leapfrog obstacles and maximize impact.

Claire Totten
805-901-0447

SOURCE #cut50