Prosecutors Use Project Pat's Songs As Evidence; Pat Seeks New Trial
SOHH.COM
Posted to alt.rap on (publication date not stated in the post)
Earlier this year, Southern rapper, Project Pat was convicted of weapons possession and sentenced to four years and three months in prison. Pat and his lawyers are seeking a new trial in the case on the grounds that Judge Robert H. Cleland, who tried to the case, allowed the images of guns and thug activities in the rapper's music to be used against him.
"We contend... increased the sentence as a result of the lyrics of some of Mr. Houston's songs," said Pat's attorney John E. Herbison. "I have some concerns... as to whether that violates the First Amendment."
Project Pat was already a convicted felon for aggravated robbery and spent most of 2001 locked up after he was pulled over in January of 2001 and officers found two revolvers in his SUV. His defense was that he needed the guns to protect himself because he was a rapper.
Pat's new album, Layin' Da Smack Down, is scheduled for a November release.