Prison
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An Iranian court issued a death sentence to a popular rapper who was jailed for over a year after backing nationwide protests.
On Wednesday (April 24), rapper Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death by a court in Iran for his support of protests that swept through the country two years ago, according to his lawyer. “Branch 1 of Isfahan Revolutionary Court… sentenced Toomaj Salehi to death on the charge of corruption on Earth,” Salem’s lawyer Amir Raisian said in a statement, adding “that in an unprecedented move, emphasized its independence and did not implement the Supreme Court’s ruling”. Salehi had been imprisoned in Isfahan in solitary confinement after reportedly being violently rearrested by Iranian police last year for 252 days, according to a report from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The rapper has been highly critical of the Revolutionary Government in the past and was initially arrested in October 2022 for “assistance in sedition, assembly and collusion, propaganda against the system and calling for riots” after protests over the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini the month before. Amini, 22, was an Iranian-Kurdish woman who had been detained for allegedly flouting the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code for women. Raisian stated that “We will certainly appeal against the sentence”. Iranian state media reported that Salehi’s sentence would be subject to a reduction by a pardoning committee upon appeal. Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin was also detained by Iranian police and given a prison sentence after the protests.
The news prompted multiple expressions of outrage. “We strongly condemn Toomaj Salehi’s death sentence and the five-year sentence for Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin. We call for their immediate release,” the United States’ Office of the Special Envoy for Iran said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “These are the latest examples of the regime’s brutal abuse of its own citizens, disregard for human rights, and fear of the democratic change the Iranian people seek.”
Ye-One Rhie, a member of the German Parliament and Salehi’s sponsor, also called for Salehi’s release. “It is still completely unclear how this verdict came about,” she posted on X on Wednesday. “It is unbelievable how irresponsibly and arbitrarily the Iranian regime treats defendants. It is impossible to recognize the rule of law in the chaos of the courts in charge.”
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Danelo Cavalcante, the escaped murderer who made a daring escape from a Pennsylvania prison, has been caught after a manhunt was launched to bring him back behind bars. Cavalcante was captured without incident by a massive tactical force of various law enforcement agencies, bringing to a close the chase after the convicted murderer who eluded authorities for weeks.
As reported by local outlet Fox 29, Danelo Cavalcante, 34, was found in Pottstown, Pa., a small town northwest of Philadelphia around 8 a.m. Wednesday (September 13). The manhunt for Cavalcante, a native of Brazil, began after he escaped Chester County Prison on August 31 by climbing a prison wall, then bypassing razor wire before jumping from a roof to the other side.
From the onset, Cavalcante found ways to evade the clutches of the authorities and managed to steal a van aiding in his escape. While the trail remained warm for officials seeking Cavalcante, he found ways to alter his appearance and survived by sleeping in nearby woods, breaking into homes to steal food, and even getting hold of a light firearm.
According to sources speaking to Fox 29, Cavalcante was found at a John Deere dealership in Pottstown with a .22-caliber rifle. According to the Associated Press, Cavalcante was found using thermal imaging which directed the authorities to his location. Reports say that Cavalcante was possibly bitten by a police dog in the hunt.
Earlier this year, Cavalcante was handed down a life sentence for the 2021 murder of his girlfriend, stabbing her to death in front of her children. Cavalcante was also sought by Brazilian authorities in connection to a shooting death.
On X, reactions from observers range from relief to some making light jokes about the fact that Danelo Cavalcante was caught wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey. We’ve got a handful of reactions from all sides below.
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Photo: Handout/Crime Stoppers
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After serving almost 11 years B.G. is now a free man. Birdman says the Hot Boy will has re-signed with Cash Money Records.
As per Hip-Hop N More the New Orleans, Louisiana native was released on September 7. Upon walking out of the correctional facility he was greeted by friends, family and his former record label CEO. After embracing the flashy music executive he was gifted a diamond Cash Money Records pendant to which he responded “that’s where it all started at”.
On a recent interview Birdman made it clear that the “Bling Bling” MC’s status with the brand moving forward goes further than just jewelry. While talking to the staff The 85 South Show he revealed BG is back on CMR. “For the record, I just want ni***s to know that my ni*** official Cash Money — ain’t no cap in that” he explained. “Ya heard me? Ain’t nobody he can ever sign with beside this sh*t. I’m bringing all this sh*t together. B.G. signed to Cash Money so y’all don’t got to hear it from nowhere else.”
The passion behind his announcement most likely stems from Gucci Mane offering BGizzle seven figures back in 2022. “My 1017 family help me welcome home the living legend @BGHollyHood! Glad u home bruh! Got so much love and respect for u as a man and artist! Get at me, I got a milli for u! Wanna sign u to 1017!!!!! #1017Mafia,” he wrote on Twitter.
B.G. has received an outpouring of support from his peers including Turk, Boosie, The Game, Bun B and former NBA star Stephen Jackson. While all signs point to BG enjoying his new life his freedom does come with several stipulations. He must attend substance dependency programs, complete 400 hours of community service and complete his GED or training equivalent.
You can see Birdman discuss B.G. and Cash Money Records below.
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R. Kelly’s legal dilemmas are getting bigger by the week. A judge has added another year to his sentence regarding his Chicago case.
As spotted on Page Six the disgraced singer got some bittersweet news this week. On Thursday (Feb. 23), U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber sentenced R. Kelly to 20 years for three counts of producing child pornography and three counts of enticing a minor into criminal sexual activity.
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The terms are that the sentence will run concurrently with the 30 years he is serving now for his New York state charges. In essence, he will have to serve another year after his New York bid is up.
“No matter what I do, Mr. Kelly isn’t going out the door after today,” Leinenweber said. “He’s not going out the door in the next 10 years. He’s not going out the door in the next 20 years.” The Chicago Sun-Times reports Kelly sat there “stone face” as the magistrate read the sentencing. R. Kelly’s lawyer plans to appeal the decision.
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Photo: Cook County Department of Corrections
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Source: Cook County Department of Corrections / Cook County Department of Corrections
R. Kelly might be looking at more time than he expected. Federal prosecutors are asking that he get 25 more years behind bars.
As spotted on The Grio the disgraced singer might be looking at football numbers. The Associated Press reports that on Thursday, February 16 prosecutors asked the presiding judge to consider adding more time to the “I Believe I Can Fly” performer’s prison sentence for his crimes in Chicago. They ask that he serve the 25 after he finishes his original sentence in New York. The paperwork referred to him as “sadistic” and as “a serial sexual predator” who “poses a serious danger to society.” The filing, which was 37 pages, says “the only way to ensure Kelly does not reoffend is to impose a sentence that will keep him in prison for the rest of his life”.
Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, wrote in a filing that his current 30 year sentence does not leave with much room for a life. “Kelly would have to defy all statistical odds to make it out of prison alive” pointing to data that the average life expectancy for inmates is 64. She recommends a lesser sentence of 10 years and that it should run concurrent.
In 2022 R. Kelly was found guilty on federal charges of producing child pornography and enticing girls for sex. U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber will decide his fate for his Chicago charges. Last month Cook County Attorney Kim Foxx announced that the state of Illinois will no longer be pursuing the indictments filed back in 2019.
Photo: Cook County Department of Corrections
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