Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has granted clemency to No Limit rapper McKinley “Mac” Phipps Jr. after 21 years behind bars.
via: Uproxx
“We are approaching the finish line to securing Mac’s freedom,” Mac’s wife Angelique Phipps said in a statement. “We are grateful to Governor John Bel Edwards for granting his clemency and to those who have supported him along the way.”
XXL reached out to Mac’s team and the Louisiana governor’s office to confirm the news, which was reported by NOLA.com, but no comment from either party has been made yet. Mac was arrested back in 2000 and charged with second degree murder in connection with a shooting that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Barron C. Victor Jr. The rapper maintained his innocence in the incident and claimed he only separated a fight that led to the shooting. Despite this, he was convicted of manslaughter in 2001 and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
A 2014 investigation revealed that the rapper may have in fact been innocent in the shooting as his defense team presented new evidence, which included another man confessing to the crime. Mac’s team also said a witness revealed they were coaxed into naming the No Limit member as the shooter. Two years later, the prosectors were accused of hiding evidence and the rapper filed for clemency, but was denied. Things changed this past February when the Louisiana Board Of Pardons And Committee On Parole agreed that the rapper should be immmediately eligible for parole.
This is amazing! The Louisiana Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously for Mac Phipps to be immediately eligible for parole! pic.twitter.com/x8VGqUqeGv
— newtralgroundz.com (@NewtralGroundz) February 23, 2021
Phipps is set to appear before the parole board once again before he can be given a release date, with the hearing currently set for June 22.
