According to reports, prosecutors will likely use the clip to prove Keef violated a court-ordered probation.
Chicago rapper Chief Keef suffered a legal setback Wednesday when a judge ordered Pitchfork Media to turn over a video showing the teenager holding a gun. Cook County prosecutors plan to use the tape as evidence in a Dec. 17 hearing where they will try to send the rapper back to jail for alleged probation violations. The court has allowed Keef to live in California while his case is pending. He’s been recording an album that he says will be released on Dec. 18, a day after his scheduled probation hearing. (Sun-Times)
Details of his alleged probation violation emerged online around mid-October.
With the 17-year-old rapper listening, Cook County prosecutors outlined why they think the Interscope Records artist should be returned to juvenile detention. The rapper, whose real name is Keith Cozart, is serving 18 months of probation for pointing a gun at a Chicago cop. He was also found delinquent on two other felonies. Prosecutors argued he violated the probation by having a gun in a video posted online. They pointed to a recorded media interview the rapper did in June at a gun range in New York, where he can be seen with a gun. That’s a probation violation, prosecutors argued, because his probation bans him from having any guns or illegal drugs or associating with gang members. (Sun Times)
Prior to today’s court hearing, the judge penciled in a November 20th appearance.
Cook County prosecutors say that because Keef can be seen with a gun in the Pitchfork video, he is violating probation conditions that prohibit him from having any firearms or illegal drugs or associating with gang members. Prosecutors also pointed to Keef’s failure to earn a GED before a deadline set by his probation, and a September 30th incident when Chicago police found Keef with members of the Black Disciple gang while responding to a call of gang disturbance. Keef has another hearing scheduled for November 20th. (Rolling Stone)
Coincidentally, Pitchfork editor Mark Richardson issued a statement on the controversial footage in September and took it down.
“”Selector” is a Pitchfork.tv show in which we interview rappers and watch them freestyle overbeats. We often try to conduct these shows in unusual locations, and several months ago we interviewed Chief Keef at a gun range in New York City. This concept was rushed and never should have happened. We’re proud of the “Selector” series as a whole and its production will continue, but this particular episode was insensitive and irresponsible.” (Pitchfork)
