Rapper Robert Rihmeek Williams, better known as Meek Mill was in attendance for Game 5 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat, where he was given the honour of ringing the ceremonial bell before the contest.
.@MeekMill ringing us in! pic.twitter.com/Ze0BKelRXn
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 25, 2018
Given the context that the Philadelphia native was just released from prison earlier in the day Tuesday, and that Sixers co-owner Michael Rubin came to pick him up from the pen personally with a helicopter, this is a very big deal.
https://twitter.com/KarenCivil/status/988914688128790528
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh-HTidDntV/?taken-by=michaelgrubin
Mill had been incarcerated for nearly five months following a controversial sentence of two to four years in prison for violating probation on a 2008 gun and drug case in which the judge cited a failed drug test and non-compliance with a court order restricting travel on Mill’s part.
Earlier in April, Philadelphia’s district attorney’s office recommended a new trial for Mill, who before the initial sentencing raised questions over the credibility of his arresting officer, but the judge denied him bail moving the case to the state’s Supreme Court.
Then on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered an immediate release of Mill, leading to widespread celebration on social media.
https://twitter.com/taywildbruh/status/988929569057984512
The case and subsequent reaction to Mill’s release stems from the high-profile support Mill received from both the entertainment and sporting world with names such as Rubin, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, activist quarterback Colin Kaepernick, comedian Kevin Hart and rapper Jay-Z all citing Mill’s case as an example of something wrong with the United States’ criminal justice system.
Upon his release, Mill thanked all those who have supported him while he was locked up and vowed to “overturn this unwarranted conviction.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh91GFcgm0J/?taken-by=meekmill
Tuesday was a good day for Mill and getting to cap it off watching his favourite basketball team play courtside is a pretty sweet – whichever one of the two he currently likes, anyway.
https://twitter.com/MeekMill/status/18083403763
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