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DEL.ICIO.US'He can get through to kids and fans,' his lawyer says
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/28/08
If T.I. will speak, people will listen. That was the reasoning behind the U.S. Attorney's Office plea deal with the enormously popular Atlanta rapper — giving him a reduced prison sentence but making him earn it by spending at least 1,000 hours over the next year preaching nonviolence to "at-risk youth."
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Less than 24 hours after the highly publicized plea, requests for the rapper to speak have come rolling in, Steve Sadow, one of the rapper's lawyers, said Friday.
"The idea really is he can get through to kids and fans like nobody else can," Sadow said. "Why not take advantage of what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., pleaded guilty Thursday to three firearms violations charges. Under the advisory federal sentencing guidelines, Harris faced between 4 years and 9 months and 5 years and 11 months in prison. Instead, when he is sentenced in March 2009, he will be ordered to spend a year and a day in prison as long as he fulfills the obligations of his community service and stays out of trouble.
For community service, Harris will speak out in opposition to drugs, gangs and illegal and reckless gun use. He also must promote respect for law enforcement, according to the plea deal.
Already, local district attorneys, a law enforcement group from Florida and a local NAACP chapter are among those asking for Harris' time, Sadow said.
The Rev. Daniel L. Edwards III, president of NAACP's Henry County branch, said he will invite Harris.
"We want to come up with a way to use his celebrity status and use him as a spokesman to reach the masses," Edwards said. "They need to hear: Gangs are not cool, jails are not cool, guns and violence are not cool."
According to court records, actress Journee Smollett, who starred in "The Great Debators," wants Harris to speak to her "Catch Me Before I Fall Initiative," which taps celebrities to speak about the dangers of gangs and drugs. Harris has also agreed to do public service announcements and teach classes for "It's Cool To Be Smart," a component of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, court records said.
U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said prosecutors often give credit to those who cooperate and help convict someone. "If [Harris] can prevent someone from committing a crime and victimizing someone, why isn't that the same sort of thing we should reward?" he asked.
More on ajc.com
- Rapper's power to do good was force behind plea deal
- T.I.'s fate fuels debate on double-standard justice
- T.I. talks about lessons learned, blessings
- PEACH BUZZ: T.I. wanted for role on the big screen
- T.I. sings different song after firearms felony plea
- The perks of fame
- Rapper T.I. could make plea deal today
- Judge allows T.I. to attend Easter service
- Rapper T.I. confident he'll not be found guilty
- T.I., riding hard, falls hard and falls fast
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Comments
By selena
May 6, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
hey ti how r u me just fine well not doing so good i just lost my brother he was killed im still sad that what had happen he was only 16 years old but i love you ur hot but never mind talk 2 u later.
R.I.P
Alejandro
AKA
Alex Cervantes
By jW
Apr 23, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
really? Is everyone that damn stupid? Caught with multiple hi powered weapons, and you think he is still king and yo thug of choice? If he was white and unpopular, he would be buried in the system...
reverse racicism will allow death and pain to many... even your own, dont be stupid!
By Jw
Apr 23, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
really> Is everyone that damn stupid? Caught with multiple hi powered weapons, and youthink he is still king and you thug of choice? If he was white and unpopular, he would be buried in the system...
reverse racicism will allow death and pain to many... even your own, dont be stupid!
By Jw
Apr 23, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
really> Is everyone that damn stupid? Caught with multiple hi powered weapons, and youthink he is still king and you thug of choice? If he was white and unpopular, he would be buried in the system...
reverse racicism will allow death and pain to many... even your own, dont be stupid!
By Jw
Apr 23, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
really> Is everyone that damn stupid? Caught with multiple hi powered weapons, and youthink he is still king and you thug of choice? If he was white and unpopular, he would be buried in the system...
reverse racicism will allow death and pain to many... even your own, dont be stupid!
By Jw
Apr 23, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
really> Is everyone that damn stupid? Caught with multiple hi powered weapons, and youthink he is still king and you thug of choice? If he was white and unpopular, he would be buried in the system...
reverse racicism will allow death and pain to many... even your own, dont be stupid!
By Jw
Apr 23, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
really> Is everyone that damn stupid? Caught with multiple hi powered weapons, and youthink he is still king and you thug of choice? If he was white and unpopular, he would be buried in the system...
reverse racicism will allow death and pain to many... even your own, dont be stupid!
By Gangsta Girl
Apr 22, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
I want to tell T.I." just stay real and keep your head up because everybody makes mistakes, some mistakes are made to protect their family from the hater's out there. T.I you will always be my thug and for them hater's out there don't even worry about them they out there having fun now but when you come back THE FUN IS OVER , so let them have there fum time but you will always be the king to me.
By Gangsta Girl
Apr 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
I WANT TO TELL T.I THAT "you is still my thug and everybody makes mistakes, some mistakes are made to protect their family". T.I you just keep your head up and stay real and things will be ok, and for all them hater's just laugh at them because you will always be on top let them have fun for now but they know when you come back the FUN IS OVER.
By sharita
Apr 21, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
i love you so much your music give me a good felling about life and i love you so much!!! p.s thank you
~sharita~
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