Tekashi 6ix9ine has been granted release from prison earlier than expected, as court documents viewed by Pitchfork confirm. The New York rapper, who was serving time after pleading guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, multiple firearms offenses, and narcotics trafficking, will serve the four-month remainder of his term from home confinement under government surveillance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
6ix9ine’s lawyer Lance Lazzaro argued for his client’s early release in a letter sent to Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on March 22. In the letter, Lazzaro wrote that 6ix9ine, who was born Daniel Hernandez, has “asthma and has regularly been hospitalized due to serious asthma attacks.”
Lazzarro continued, “Mr. Hernandez has been complaining to prison officials this week of shortness of breath, but apparently the warden of his facility will not allow Mr. Hernandez to go to the hospital despite the recommendation of the facility’s medial director that Mr. Hernandez be treated by a doctor at a hospital.”
The request for 6ix9ine’s early release was initially denied. He was granted release after a series of appeals. 6ix9ine had been expected to be released from prison on August 2.
Read “Why Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Testimony Matters for the Future of Hip-Hop on Trial” on the Pitch.