Meek Mill appeared in a Philadelphia court Thursday afternoon (Dec. 17) for a probation hearing. Earlier this week, he was mandated to appear before a judge after violating his probation by failing to get a travel request form from his parole officer. That time in question was his appearance at the 2015 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. late November.
The Philly native took the stand to defend himself, stating, “I don’t wanna be a criminal. I’m not a gangsta. But I’m not a perfect man…I have the potential to be greater than I am today,” per tweets from WHYY reporter Bobby Allyn. The judge later responded saying, “I bent over backwards so he can have free range to grow his career… it didn’t work out,” and according to the AP, Meek was found guilty of violating his probation.
The sentencing was reportedly delayed until Feb. 5. The judge also handed down another travel restriction banning the “Lord Knows” rapper from performing indefinitely, even within Philadelphia.
Prosecutors cite Michael Jackson in Meek Mill’s case file, hoping the lyrics will resonate with him. pic.twitter.com/68un9bSbBw
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Meek Mill, family and Nikki Minaj all in courtroom. Judge kicked out people not involved in case. Press allowed to stay.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
R&B legend Kenny Gamble testifies that Meek is “the voice of the voiceless and they listen to him…Our arms are wide open to brother Meek.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Meek label rep says he has year of philanthropy planned. Including working with Philly at-risk youth and cleaning up trash on Earth Day.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
DA: One-off events for at-risk youth lack commitment. She’d like to see Meek sit on an advocacy board.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
DA said Meek “doesn’t have character. He’s a convicted felon” to which Minaj looked to lady next to her w/ “did she just say that” wide eyes
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Show booker Shawn Gee: “Meek speaks to the kids in the hood, but he also speaks to kids in general … he’s a humble dude, big-hearted dude”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Meek Mill on the stand: “I believe I have a lot more growing to do…before this case I was on the road to destruction.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Meek Mill apologizes to DA for making a rap about her. “It was immature. I think it was me being emotional.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Mill: “I’m don’t wanna be a criminal. I’m not a gangsta. But I’m not a perfect man … I have the potential to be greater than I am today.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Mill: “I walk around w/ Queen Nikki. Things are different now. I act different. I walk different. I can be the biggest rapper in the world.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Mill: “I hang in clubs, people from the hood, the streets, where people are not about the same things as me…I have to walk away.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
FWIW: Judge presiding over Meek Mill hearing banned phone use in courtroom, but has allowed reporters to use laptops.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Also: Sorry for spelling Nicki Minaj’s name wrong earlier.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Both sides fighting over whether Meek was “under consideration” or “nominated” for an Oscar for song in Creed. Nicki Minaj cracking up.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Mill talks about recent meeting with Kenny Gamble. “I never had any men sit down with me and have conversations with these types of things.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Mill says of travel restrictions: “My mom sees me with Nicki Minaj on the internet, but she’s having surgery.” His mom lives in NJ.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Mill’s atty: He’s not a lawyer. He’s not a person who knows how to keep schedules … he’s an artist…Those people are notoriously slipshod.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Judge on Meek Mill: “I bent over backwards so he can have free range to grow his career…It didn’t work out.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Judge: Submitting cold water for urine test and breaking travel restrictions considered “technical violation” of probation.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Judge delays sentencing until Feb. 5. Travels restrictions in place. Judge: “You cannot perform, even if performance is in Philadelphia.”
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
Asked Mill a question as he walked out of courtroom, he didn’t say anything. He then walked out with Minaj through restricted area exit.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) December 17, 2015
A week ago, the MMG member shared his thoughts with his followers on Instagram, writing, “I’m actually fighting for my life and freedom…Something I’ve been going thru from a case I caught at 19 years old and been on probation since…I am 28 now.”