Meek Mill is making moves with his goal to help those that are innocent behind bars to regain their freedom. In an interview with ABC News, the Philadelphia native revealed that he has one case in mind that he would like to tackle first.
When Mill, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, was sentenced to two to four years in prison for a probation violation, he met and became acquainted with another inmate named Eric Riddick. The latter has spent over 26 years in prison for a crime that two judges believe he’s “likely innocent” of. Riddick was convicted of murdering his friend in 1992, and despite a recanted witness testimony and three alibis that stressed Riddick was nowhere near the scene of the crime, he remains in prison due to Pennsylvania’s Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA).
When Riddick attempted to appeal under that law after he received the recanted testimony in 2003, 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.
Although two judges believe Riddick to be innocent, Mill said while those officials can attest to your non-guilty status, they can also “keep you in prison.”
“We’re the people who have to be judged by these people,” the “Stay Woke” rapper said on the importance of voting in this year’s midterm elections. “I think we should all use our power and [vote for] people who are normal people and people who will use power with morals.” When Mill was asked if he would present Riddick’s case before the White House, he replied: “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.”
Riddick’s case is currently under review by the Conviction Integrity Unit in Philadelphia.
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