Master P Pleads for President Obama to Pardon His Brother C-Murder
Iconic rapper Master P has called on President Barack Obama for one heck of a favor.
The hip-hop mogul is asking the president to pardon two former members of his music label, including his brother C-Murder. He is stating firmly that the evidence in both situations shows that both men have been wrongly charged with their crimes and is claiming their innocence.
“I know Obama [has] been pardoning people,” the 49-year-old rapper explained in an interview. “This is my letter to the president: When you look at Corey Miller [C-Murder], he’s not a bad person … the evidence is that he’s innocent. Mac [McKinley Phipps Jr.] is another one [who] should be free. They know Mac didn’t do it.”
The president has the power to grant a pardon, which by definition fully restores a person’s innocence. However, in this particular situation, Obama cannot exercise his right to grant a pardon because neither gentleman was convicted of a federal crime.
“While Mac’s legal team most assuredly appreciates Master P’s enthusiasm and good faith, the president has no jurisdiction over a Louisiana State conviction,” Buddy Spell, the attorney for Mac, explained in a statement.
Master P has maintained his brother’s innocence throughout the duration of his career, even bringing his beliefs into his music, such as in his track “Dear Supreme Court,” which dropped earlier this March.
C-Murder is serving a life sentence in Louisiana’s Angola prison for being convicted of the fatal nightclub shooting of 16-year-old Steve Thomas back in 2002. Mac is currently facing a 30-year-sentence for a similar shooting in 2000, also taking a victim’s life at a nightclub. Master P is calling on President Obama to look into both cases.
“I never asked for no favors or nothing,” Master P further explained. “I’m just saying, look into the case. That’s the only thing I’m asking Obama to do. I know you would pardon my brother because he’s innocent, not on me saying this. I’m just trying to bring awareness behind him and Mac and say, look into these cases. You’re gonna see that it’s not right.”
While there’s unfortunately nothing President Obama can do, Master P’s mission to keep his former label mates’ cases in the spotlight could grab the attention of the state’s governor, who does hold the ability to grant pardons.
Take a listen to Master P stating his case in the clip below.