Hip-hop musician Pras Michel of Fugees faces criminal trial in Washington, D.C., for allegedly conspiring to violate election law and influence American policymakers on behalf of China.
. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly has largely excluded evidence about that case from the Michel trial.
A number of people tied to Michel's far-flung alleged plan already have pleaded guilty or secured immunity from the government, including George Higginbotham, a former Justice Department lawyer moonlighting on work for Michel while he served in the government. In court filings, Michel signaled the outlines of his defense: arguing that he relied on advice from lawyers and that he thought he was acting in the interests of the United States when he met with a Chinese minister at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York in 2017.
"Defendant continues to deny he was acting as an agent for China and denies he willfully and knowingly acted as a secret agent under the direction and control of China when he approached the FBI," defense lawyers David Kenner and Charles Haskell wrote in court papers this month.prospective jurors are headed to court for what could be an extensive voir dire process.
A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on the eve of trial, citing the pending litigation. A representative for defense lawyer Kenner said they could not speak on the record. Kenner has a long history of representing hip-hop artists, including successfully defending Snoop Dogg in his 1996 trial for murder. Another current Kenner client is Tory Lanez, who is appealing his conviction of
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Pras Michel stands trial in Washington, D.C., for conspiracy and other chargesHip-hop musician Pras Michel of Fugees faces criminal trial in Washington, D.C., for allegedly conspiring to violate election law and influence American policymakers on behalf of China.
Les mer »
Celtics star Tatum sidelined vs. Spurs with hip contusionCeltics star forward Jayson Tatum is out for Boston’s game against the San Antonio Spurs with a left hip contusion.
Les mer »
Suns update: Deandre Ayton (hip) probable, Kevin Durant (ankle) out at JazzPhoenix Suns are 15-23 on the road going into Monday's game at Utah. The Jazz are 22-15 at home.
Les mer »
Shaq quickly back in the gym after hip replacement: ‘Get my game back’Shaquille O’Neal is back in the gym just over a week after he underwent hip replacement surgery — and he’s challenging already challenging people to hoop.
Les mer »
Shaquille O'Neal Hits The Gym Days After Hip SurgeryShaquille O'Neal is already back in the gym just days after having hip replacement surgery!
Les mer »
R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: FLO, Montell Fish, Victoria Monet & MoreListen to 10 new must-hear songs from emerging R&B and hip-hop artists like flolikethis, montellfish, victoriamonet and others, all released within the last week.
Les mer »