FILE – In this Nov. 6, 2017, file photo, rapper Meek Mill arrives at the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley ruled Thursday, March 29, 2018, that Mill should remain behind bars while appealing a 2- to 4-year prison sentence for violating probation, saying the rapper's drug use, arrests and other issues while under supervision merited the jail time. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
April 02, 2018 - 1:54 PM
PHILADELPHIA - A judge is keeping rapper Meek Mill behind bars while he appeals a prison sentence for violating probation.
Philadelphia Judge Genece Brinkley last Thursday turned down Mill's bid for release on bail while he appeals the 2- to 4-year sentence for what she said was his fifth probation violation.
One of Mill's lawyers said Monday that the ruling reaffirms their belief that the judge has turned the case into a "personal vendetta." Brinkley accused Mill's representatives of trying to "unfairly judge shop."
Mill's case stems from a 2008 conviction on drug and gun charges in Philadelphia.
Prosecutors say they're not opposed to having Mill released on bail because of what they said was a likelihood the original conviction may be partly or completely reversed, due to questions about the credibility of the arresting officer.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018