Genece Brinkley will continue to preside over Meek Mill’s case—at least for the time being.
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied a motion to remove the judge from Meek’s decade-long criminal case; however, the court instructed Meek’s legal team to pursue an appeal via the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. The rapper and his attorneys have consistently challenged Judge Brinkley’s credibility, claiming she has demonstrated her bias against the Philly artist on multiple occasions.
Though the Supreme Court rejected Meek’s request, his lawyers now have the chance to present their arguments for Brinkley’s removal in a lower court. If they receive an unfavorable ruling, Meek’s attorneys will then go back to the Supreme Court to make their case.
“While the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined to immediately hear our application to reassign Meek’s case to a new judge, we understand the Court wants us to go through the normal course of appeals to the Superior Court and we intend to do just that,” Meek’s lawyer Joe Tacopina said in a statement. “Time after time, Judge Brinkley has continued to display unethical behavior as she has presided over Meek’s case, and we will work diligently to rectify this grave miscarriage of justice and ensure that Meek’s wrongful conviction is overturned and he is granted the new and fair trial that he deserves.”
In November 2017, Brinkley handed Meek a two- to four-year prison sentence for violating his probation from a 2008 gun and drug case. His lawyers have made multiple attempts to remove Brinkley from the case, claiming she has a personal vendetta against the 31-year-old rapper.
Back in June, Brinkley denied Meek’s request for a new trial even after prosecutors recommended he receive one. The district attorney’s office pointed to credibility issues surrounding Meek’s arresting officer, who was named on a list of corrupt cops.
Meek responded to the Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday:
“I’m grateful that my legal team will have the opportunity to present a thorough appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and make sure my case will be heard in a fair and balanced manner,” he said in a statement. “Unfortunately, thousands of people entrapped in the criminal justice system aren’t as fortunate to have that chance. Although this has been a difficult situation, I will continue to trust the process and I’m confident that justice will prevail.”
