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As Meek Mill’s legal battle is unfolding, Meek’s mother, Kathy Williams, has written an open letter to the justice system. In the letter, she calls out how the justice system has failed her son while also pleading for his release, addressing it to “Lady Justice.”
Meek’s current legal troubles stem from an incident that occurred back in 2008, when he was hit with gun and drug possession charges. He was released in early 2009 on a five-year parole agreement, but would eventually be placed on house arrest and have a considerable amount of time added to his parole. Meek is now serving a 2 to 4 year sentence in state prison for violating his parole on controversial charges. You can get the full story on Meek Mill’s current legal situation here.
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Here’s an edited version of Kathy Williams’ letter that’s been provided by Billboard:
Dear Lady Justice:
I was always taught — and always believed — that you, Lady Justice, were fair, impartial and balanced. That was until you took my son from me at the tender age of 19. His whole life he was struggling with the death of his father and the void of my presence since I worked three jobs to keep the lights on. In fact, he would hardly utter a word and mostly stayed quiet until he started rhyming.My son was given a gift and he has been able to flourish with it, a gift that’s more like a savior. It has introduced him globally to many and given him opportunities to grow as a professional and as an individual. Like all of us, he has had ups and downs, but always pushes forward with hope and a sense of survival.
The problem is that the justice system has failed my son at every turn and hasn’t let go. You, Lady Justice, have allowed corruption at the highest levels of the system, and cruelty and spite have cast doubt on your very foundation. You are supposed to balance fairness and blindly always do what’s right, yet injustice has taken 11 years of our lives. My son had to choose between seeing his child and his mother in a hospital or going to prison. My son – who was 19 when he was introduced to the justice system – has been scarred physically and emotionally by your betrayal, and now you threaten his own son’s sense of security.
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Today feels heavier because, now that the truth has finally been revealed, for some reason Lady Justice you are not weighing in. Where are you? The District Attorney and Governor Wolf had the courage to say let my son out of prison due to this injustice. You’ve taken his innocence and abused his pride. He’s suffered loss of family and freedom. No human being should know his truths and be accosted by lies and false judgment under your shelter.
I thank God for the humbling moments, when I’ve fallen to my knees and prayed for the strength to continue to help my son and for God’s Will to invoke compassion and courage for those who can do something about all this wrong.
You have wrongfully convicted a black man in prison, that is a profound reality in America. We have given you all the evidence and all the reasons his case is a symbol of the problem in our justice system.
On behalf of every mother whose son suffers the cruelty of unjust punishment, I now beg you to hear the words of the DA and the Governor and release my son.
Each time I talk to my son, he gives me the strength to carry on and promises me that upon his release he will fight for other men whose voices are not heard. Give him that chance.Sincerely,
Kathy Williams
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While Meek Mill may still have to serve the rest of his 2 to 4 year sentence behind bars, Ms. Williams refers to a development in Meek’s case in her letter that suggests a possibility of his early release: Police officers that have testified against Meek Mill in court have had their names show up on a secret list of corrupt cops, which may give grounds for a reassessment of Meek’s charges. Stay tuned to see if Lady Justice responds accordingly.
