Jay-Z Fighting To Release Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Weed
Rapper and music mogul Jay Z is working to help get a man released after he was sentenced to 20 years for a weed charge.
HOV’s team has reached out to a North Carolina judge asking for the “compassionate release” of a man locked up for a Marijuana offense.
According to Page Six, court documents show that attorney Alex Spiro filed another motion asking the court to release Valon Vailes. The motion was initially dismissed over his COVID-19 vaccination record.
“Mr. Vailes’ motion for compassionate release does not mention COVID-19 and does not rely on any COVID-19-related argument as a basis for arguing in favor of a reduced sentence,” Spiro said in the documents.
In December 2007, 55-year-old Vailes was found guilty by a jury for allegedly trying to distribute one ton of Cannabis. He was given twenty years in prison with a ten-year supervised release term.
Vailes had written a letter from the New York’s Otisville Correctional Facility to Jay Z, which has been obtained by the outlet.
“This correspondence is a plea to ask for your help with the intent to campaign for my clemency,” his letter says. “13 and a half years is a long time to be still incarcerated over a substance that has become the ultimate green rush.”
Weed is legal in most states now with many more decriminalizing it. A Change.org petition for Vailes’ release has over 2,000 signatures.