After nearly 5 years since New York rapper Pop Smoke, 20, was murdered throughout a house invasion, his household is lastly receiving justice. Corey Walker was the one grownup defendant in the course of the lethal assault, and now, he’s accepted a deal to spend the following many years of his life behind bars.
On Wednesday (Feb. 5), the 24-year-old pleaded responsible in a Los Angeles court docket. Due to the plea, Walker will serve 29 years in jail for voluntary manslaughter and residential invasion theft, in line with Sizzling 97.
Authorities revealed Walker and three juvenile defendants tracked Pop Smoke’s deal with from a present bag posted on Instagram earlier than breaking into the California Airbnb in February 2020. The rapper— actual identify Bashar Barakah Jackson— was shot a number of occasions in the course of the confrontation between him and the intruders, in line with officers. A feminine sufferer current for the assault was additionally robbed and bodily assaulted.
On the time of the lethal house invasion, Walker was solely 19 years previous. The opposite three assailants have been 15, 17, and 18, in line with ABC Information. The 18-year-old, Keandre Rodgers, was the primary to plead responsible in 2023, The Root beforehand reported.
Pop Smoke’s mom, Audrey Jackson, reacted to the information of Walker’s plea saying though the court docket did their job, nothing can erase the ache of dropping her son. “This by no means ends for me. And that’s unfair,” she advised Rolling Stone reporter Nancy Dillion. “I admire they acquired justice to the fullest extent of the legislation, however my life doesn’t change. I nonetheless don’t have my son.”
The unique trial for the 24-year-old defendant was scheduled to proceed subsequent week, with jury choice already underway, in line with Sizzling 97. Walker is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 21, in line with court docket information. His lawyer, Kellen Davis, claims Walker by no means meant for Jackson to be killed.
“All the proof helps this place,” Davis advised Billboard. “As assured as we have been of an acquittal on the homicide cost, below California legislation, sentencing enhancements may have led to life in jail for theft or housebreaking.” He continued saying, “This case highlights a system that may impose excessive penalties on younger males for crimes they didn’t immediately commit. Given the circumstances, that is the very best end result for our consumer.”