Outgoing president, Donald Trump has pardoned Co-founder of Death Row Records, Michael “Harry-O” Harris. Harris has served more than thirty years behind bars for attempted murder and trafficking of cocaine. He is due for release from a California prison.
Snoop Dogg was signed by Harris’ record label in the 1990s. He sought the help of Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner along with a selection of justice reform campaigners to ask Trump for the pardon.
White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows had reportedly advised Mr Trump against the pardon. The president however, was convinced by Harris’ family.
Snoop Dogg stepped in after Harris’ legal team had failed to get him released on early compassionate leave, due to Covid concerns within the prison.
Criminal justice reform advocate, Alice Johnson said, “The president knows about it. I’ve spoken with Ivanka Trump and I’ve spoken with Jared Kushner. I’ve been told that President Trump is aware of the case and has been reviewing it”.
Johnson’s life sentence for drug trafficking was pardoned by Trump in 2018.
Trump administration: “an exemplary prison record”.
On Harris’ pardon, the Trump administration wrote on the White House website.
They said, “Mr. Harris has had an exemplary prison record for three decades. He is a former entrepreneur and has mentored and taught fellow prisoners how to start and run businesses”.
They continued, “He has completed courses towards business and journalism degrees. Upon his release, Mr. Harris will have a meaningful place of employment and housing with the support of his family”.
Trump had annouced that around 100 pardons are to be issued on his final day as US President. He is also set to become the first American president in over 150 years, not to attend the auguration for the new president.
Further pardons:
Yesterday also saw Trump issuing pardons to rapper, Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge back in December. He was arrested for illegal posession of a handgun during a fight on his private jet from California to Florida.
Meanwhile, Kodak is serving a 46 month sentence on a federal weapons charge. He was found guilty in November 2019.
