The Pennsylvania appeals court’s unanimous decision overruled a Philadelphia judge’s ruling last year that denied Meek Mill’s request for a new trial.
Embattled rap artist Meek Mill has been given another shot at justice.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court on Wednesday granted Mill, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, a new trial in a controversial case that resulted in a prison sentence for a probation violation for the hip-hop star, and stirred a national conversation about the criminal justice system.
A unanimous three-judge panel of the Superior Court overruled Philadelphia Judge Genece Brinkley‘s decision last year that denied Williams’ bid for a new trial. The decision also said Brinkley, who oversaw Williams’ 2008 trial and clashed repeatedly with the rapper and his legal team, should not preside over any further proceedings.
“Williams’ right to be tried before an impartial judge is necessary in this case because the trial judge heard highly prejudicial testimony at the first trial, which was a bench trial, and made credibility determinations in favor of a now discredited witness and against Williams,” Superior Court President Judge Jack Panella, who wrote the court’s 18-page decision, said.
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