rss feedRemy Ma Sentenced to Eight Years as Papoose Explodes in Anger
Posted by Chloé A. Hilliard at 2:26 PM, May 13, 2008
The rapper Papoose exploded in a fit of anger outside a Manhattan courtroom this morning just moments after his tearful bride-to-be, Remy Ma, faced down an eight-year sentence for shooting a woman outside of a West Side hot spot last summer.
Papoose—whose plans to wed Remy got put on ice yesterday when he was allegedly busted trying to sneak a handcuff key into Rikers—exchanged some hard looks and words with friends of Remy's shooting victim, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, in the courtroom hallway.
"Get the fuck off me. Fuck ya'll. Fuck jail," screamed Papoose as his 10-person entourage restrained him and court officers told him to move it along and exit the hallway outside of Manhattan Supreme Court. "I don't care. Lock me up. Lock me up. Take me to jail. Arrest me. It's all about money."
Emotions swelled inside the courtroom too as Remy faced as many as 25 years in prison for shooting a former associate in the stomach over $3,000 that went missing from Remy's purse. Tears rolled down her cheeks throughout much of the sentencing including when Remy made her plea for leniency.
"Throughout this unfortunate case, I was advised from my attorney to stay silent but now I want you all to see me for me and what I've gone through," said Remy as tears fell. "Reporters and newspapers have called me a 'hardcore rapper,' a 'hip-hop harlot'—Remy Ma is just a music industry name. A facade. I'm not a thug. I'm not a hardcore anything. I have feelings. I'm Remy Smith—No, I'm Remy Mackie. I'm a wife, mother, daughter and big sister."
Judge Rena Uviller was unconvinced, saying Remy thinks she is free to take whatever actions she wants based on the hardships of her life. But the judge still hit Remy with a lighter sentence than the 13-year bid sought by prosecutors.
"This is not the first time Ms. Smith has engaged in violence," Judge Uviller said. "This is a pattern. The previous times haven't been as severe. Smith doesn't take responsibility for her actions. Her letter to the court and her statement today showed no remorse. She even painted herself as the victim."
Before delivering the eight-year sentence, Uviller added "This is not about hip hop. This is about the individual, Remy. She is a danger to others."
Later, Papoose clarified what supposedly happened in Rikers Island yesterday, saying that the supposed handcuff key he was carrying had been on his keychain for months, including many earlier occasions when he visited his bretrothed in lockdown.
"Carrying a handcuff is felony," said Papoose, whose government name is Shamele Mackie. "And as you can see—I'm not arrested."
Remy's lawyers said they planned an appeal.
Cross-posted from Runnin' Scared.
