Meek Mill performs at Summer Jam 2019. June 02, 2019.
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
Meek Mill has been granted an appellate court hearing with the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and will argue to have his 2008 drug and gun conviction overturned, the rapper's representative confirmed in an email to The FADER.
Jordan Siev, Meek Mill's attorney, said in a statement: “We’re looking forward to the oral argument before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and to, hopefully, having Meek’s conviction vacated. In light of the District Attorney’s recent filing, where he supports the granting of a new trial to Meek and the recusal of Judge Brinkley, we hope to have this injustice rectified once and for all.”
Last week, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner asked the Superior Court to permit a new trial for Meek Mill, and for the recusal of his presiding Judge Genece Brinkley. Krasner's filing pointed to the corruption of Mill's arresting officer Reginald Graham, who appeared on a confidential list of police officers "with a history of lying, racial bias, or brutality" — the revelation of the list's existence has already led to overturned convictions where Graham was involved.
The filing also accuses Judge Brinkley of improper conduct in relation to Mill's case. Krasner alleges that Brinkley made a surprise visit to a community service engagement Meek Mill was taking part in, as per the terms of his probation. Krasner's filing contends that by taking part in a role reserved for probation officers, Brinkley "inappropriately created the appearance of partiality."
Meek Mill's hearing will take place on July 16 at 3:30 p.m. EST.
