Philadelphia DA calls for new Meek Mill trial, judge to step down
Photo courtesy of The Office of Gov. Tom Wolf
PHILADELPHIA (FOX 29) - Rapper Meek Mill should be granted a new trial with a new judge, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said in court appeal filed Wednesday.
Mill, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, has previously asked that his decade-old drug and gun convictions be thrown out because of credibility issues with the officer who testified against him
The officer is among the police officers the prosecutor's office has sought to keep off the stand in cases across the city because of credibility questions.
Judge Genece Brinkley has also been the subject of harsh criticism from Mill's attorneys. They unsuccessfully appealed Mill's original sentence of two- to four years in prison multiple times and called for Brinkley to recuse herself.
The judge has routinely defended herself, saying the court has "has impartially and without prejudice presided over numerous proceedings in this matter since 2008."
Mill's incarceration has become a major cause celebre, with celebrities offering their support and recent prison visits from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.