Polarising rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is set to be released from prison today as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Rolling Stone report, presiding Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled that “in light of the heightened medical risk presented to Mr. Hernandez by the COVID-19 pandemic, there are extraordinary and compelling reasons to reduce Mr. Hernandez’s sentence in the manner requested.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is extraordinary and unprecedented in modern times in this nation. It presents a clear and present danger to free society for reasons that need no elaboration.”
6ix9ine will be required to “serve the first four months of supervised release on home incarceration, to be enforced by GPS monitoring, at an address approved by the defendant’s probation officer.”
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman requested that the ruling not be released until 4 pm EST, “to ensure that Mr. Hernandez is transported safely and securely from the facility where he is currently housed to a residential address previously approved by the Probation Department (the ‘Residence’).”
6ix9ine’s lawyer Lance Lazarro sent a letter requesting early release to Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on March 22nd. In the letter, Lazarro details that 6ix9ine “asthma and has regularly been hospitalized due to serious asthma attacks.”
“Mr. Hernandez has been complaining to prison officials this week of shortness of breath, but apparently the warden of his facility will not allow Mr. Hernandez to go to the hospital despite the recommendation of the facility’s medial director that Mr. Hernandez be treated by a doctor at a hospital.”
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Judge Paul Engelmayer, who presided over the case and handed 6ix9ine his two-year sentence, maintained that he did not have jurisdiction over the matter, and suggested that Lazarro file a motion with the Bureau of Prisons.
The bureau initially denied the requests. A letter obtained by Inner City Press, highlighted that the burea “not have any authority or oversight of his case as he is not in a BOP facility. If the Court orders a compassionate release for him, that information will be provided to the US Marshals Service and the GEO facility for processing.”
He was granted release after a series of appeals.
This story is developing…
