Drakeo The Ruler, accused of multiple counts of murder, has opened up about his controversial court case. During an interview, he spoke in depth about targeted harassment he's endured and prisoner abuse he's suffered in the Los Angeles jail.
Tablet's Jeff Weiss, who has been speaking with the rising Los Angeles rapper for nearly 18 months, detailed the experience of the artist since he was charged with multiple gun and murder-related charges. In early 2017, he was hit with six counts of illegal possession of firearms. After being released from prison, the South Central native was arrested again on March 11, 2018. Charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and several counts of conspiracy to commit murder related to an alleged incident from 2016, he pleads his innocence on all accounts.
The case, which argumentatively points toward his "Flex Freestyle" lyrics for indictment, reportedly stems from a few lines directed at his then-rival, RJ.
The Los Angeles District Attorney claims that the 25-year-old, legally known as Darrell Caldwell, provided two people with guns and instructed them to kill his musical opponent at a local party. However, the party venue didn't even market RJ as an attendee. Police also insist that the getaway car for the attempted murder was a red Mercedes that belonged to Drakeo. However, his counsel reports that he only owns a black Mercedes. RJ was not present at the event but another man, 24-year-old Davion Gregory was there. Police say Drakeo's associates killed him instead of the aforementioned on December 10, 2016.
Drakeo is not accused of pulling the trigger and a new California law made it illegal to charge an accomplice with murder. However, it does allow the charge if one was accused of assisting in a plot to kill.
The artist, who picked up steam on Soundcloud and ignited a "nervous music" movement with his unique style, is currently facing life in prison. Other members of his Stinc Team crew have also racked up similar charges, which they also claim to be not guilty of.
“None of this makes any sense!” Drakeo said about his indictments. “Why would I show up to a party to kill a rapper that I don’t want to kill, who wasn’t even on the flyer of the party? We follow each other on Instagram. If I had wanted to find out where he was, I could’ve found out where he was at any time.”
Additionally, Drakeo and his past rival have purportedly made amends since his arrest. Tablet reports RJ has repetitively denounced the accusations made by the Los Angeles Police Department against Drakeo and any alleged attempts on his life. He's also frequently posted videos shouting out the incarcerated rapper and is said to message him regularly about his mental and physical welfare.
As the artist remains behind bars, he maintains his innocence and details an atmosphere in jail wrought with constitutional violations.
Housed in Los Angeles' downtown Men's Central Jail, Drakeo paints the picture of life with no disregard to one's mental, physical and emotional state.
“I’m shackled up right now," he said while on the phone with Weiss. "I’m never not chained up… I only have one hand free; my waist is chained too."
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K-19, where Drakeo was transferred from dormitory housing only a few months ago, is an ultra-maximum security house infamous for its impediment on civil rights. In a monumental move this February, Los Angeles County supervisors voted to replace the Men's Central Jail with a mental health facility for inmates, the Los Angeles Times reports. "[The prison is] a decrepit, outdated facility inconsistent with human values and basic decency," said County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “It puts both our inmates and our sheriff’s deputies at risk.”
Drakeo describes days where guards will leave incarcerated people "soaking wet for two hours" after taking showers. Drakeo also describes conditions involving limited visitation and approximately an hour of sunlight every seven days. He also noted that the facility only has six, 48 square foot cells that are "wrapped in iron ropes," according to the reporter.
The artist who has watched his career suffer from a major halt just at its ascending start, insists that the treatment he is receiving is due to targeted harassment.
“This is all motivated by two things: the fact that I’m a rapper and the fact that I’m a black rapper,” Drakeo said. “When they brought me into the station, [the deputies] were playing my videos, rapping my lyrics back at me, and bragging about the other rappers that they’d sent away. It’s targeted harassment.”
“And the crazy part is, these detectives are trying to call me a part-time rapper and a full-time gang leader. How can I be a part-time rapper and be on the cover of the L.A. Times and have thousands of fans coming to my defense? Which one is it?” he continued, referring to fans who reportedly attacked the police department online.
“Nobody gives a f*** and that’s why I be tripping,” Drakeo expressed. “Don’t get me wrong; a lot of people go to court for me but nobody else can see what’s going on. There’s no evidence there that says that I did nothing. Nothing! There’s even people who are saying that I had nothing to do with it, but the [cops] are just trying to make up this crazy story about me.”
Drakeo's murder trial is set to begin on May 20. He's reiterated in several interviews that he looks forward to the day of exoneration. His attorney Frank Duncan seems to agree.
“This case is absurdly overfiled and we have every reason to believe the charges are being brought against him as a result of his fame," Duncan said according to XXL. "We have an excellent chance of winning.”
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