McKinley

• McDaniel, who uses the social media handle TheBiggestFinn4800, had previously been considered a person of interest in the case.
• Lawyers have used rappers’ lyrics as evidence in criminal cases since shortly after the rise of gangsta rap in the late 1980s.
• In fact, researchers at the University of Richmond documented at least 500 cases from 2009 to 2019 where rap lyrics were introduced as evidence in criminal trials.

Rap lyrics as criminal evidence

• If prosecutors can show that a rapper’s lyrics establish motive, intent or identity related to an alleged crime, then most judges will allow for the evidence to be used.
• But case law regarding using rap lyrics as evidence of a crime can vary from state to state, and judge to judge.
• In 2014, the New Jersey Supreme Court found that the introduction of a defendant rapper’s lyrics should not have been admitted into evidence, because the lyrics were general in nature and did not demonstrate motive or intent.

Criminalizing Black artists

• During the trial, the defendant rapper claimed he was not aware of the contents of the suitcase.
• As a result, allowing a rap artist’s lyrics to be used as evidence of a crime risks weaponizing an art form dominated by Black and other people of color.
• As it is, Black Americans are already incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate as white Americans.

Protecting artistic expression

• In recent years, lawmakers in California and New York have sought to limit the use of rap lyrics in evidence of criminality.
• In July 2022, Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia introduced the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, or RAP Act.
• The federal legislation aims to limit the admissibility of artistic expression as evidence.

Case for caution

• The probability of prejudice against defendants who are rappers in any scenario, unfortunately, in 2023 is still too high.
• Prohibiting the use of lyrics can help ensure that not “one innocent suffer.”

• FREMONT, Ohio, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Fremont Company, a food manufacturer located in Fremont, Ohio since 1905, is proud to announce its “Fremont Cares,” initiative has set a program record, raising $3,200 to support local school lunch programs and food pantries.
• According to Chris Smith, President of The Fremont Company, “We’re a food company, and one of our core values is to feed the world like family.
• The Fremont Company employees purchased raffle tickets with a dollar-for-dollar match by The Fremont Company.
• For more information about The Fremont Company and its philanthropic initiatives, including “Fremont Cares,” please visit https://fremontcompany.com/fremont-cares/

• SAN JOSE, Calif., May 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“Rani Therapeutics” or “Rani”) (Nasdaq: RANI), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on the oral delivery of biologics and drugs, today announced that it has appointed Kate McKinley as its Chief Business Officer.
• “Kate is a seasoned industry leader, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Rani’s executive team,” said Talat Imran, Chief Executive Officer of Rani.
• Prior to joining Rani, Ms. McKinley was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spark Outcomes, where she served as a fractional executive and corporate adviser for early-stage pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and health tech start-ups.
• In 2021, Kate was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer and to the Board of Directors of Elevar Therapeutics.

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