Remy Ma fails with Appeal in 2007 Shooting Case
Remy Ma’s Appeal Denied, Legal Hopes Diminish
Remy Ma is the Grammy-nominated rapper whose career skyrocketed in the mid-2000s. However, faces more years behind bars as her appeal for release from prison has been denied. She is best known for her collaborations with Terror Squad and hits like “Lean Back.” Remy Ma had hoped to overturn her conviction stemming from a 2007 shooting incident involving her former friend, Makeda Barnes-Joseph.
The February 2011 decision by New York state’s highest court closes a major chapter in Remy’s legal battle. As a result, leaving her to continue serving her eight-year prison sentence.
The Incident That Changed It All
Remy Ma, born Reminisce Smith, found herself at the center of controversy in July 2007. During a night out celebrating a friend’s birthday, tensions escalated when Remy accused Barnes-Joseph of stealing $3,000 from her purse. The two women got into a heated argument inside Barnes-Joseph’s Cadillac Escalade, which quickly turned violent.
According to the court’s proceedings, Remy, gun in hand, demanded to search her friend’s purse. As a result, it led to a struggle that ended with Barnes-Joseph being shot twice in the abdomen. Rather than calling for help, Remy fled the scene, leaving her friend severely injured. While the gun was never recovered, testimony during the trial painted a picture of a woman whose anger and frustration had boiled over.
Remy’s Rise to Fame
Before her legal troubles, Remy Ma was one of the brightest stars in the hip-hop world. Rising to fame under the mentorship of the late Big Pun and eventually joining Fat Joe’s Terror Squad, Remy’s lyrical talent was undeniable. She garnered widespread recognition for her verse on Terror Squad’s “Lean Back,” which became an anthem during the summer of 2004 and earned her a Grammy nomination.
Her solo debut album, There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story, was released in 2006, further solidifying her place in the hip-hop scene.
However, as Remy’s success grew, so did the tensions between her and Fat Joe. Their relationship began to sour as creative differences and internal conflicts surfaced. Remy felt restricted within Terror Squad, especially when Fat Joe allegedly limited her opportunities. Primarily, his issues with 50 Cent blocked potential collaborations. 50 Cent’s G-Unit was a crew she was interested in collaborating with.
This tension eventually led to her departure from Terror Squad. Thus, marking a major turning point in both her career and personal life. Additionally, her previous deal with Fat Joe prevented her from signing to 50’s G-Unit label. All of this helped to further intensify her animosity towards Joe.
Feuds and Struggles
In addition to her falling out with Fat Joe, Remy Ma also had a public feud with fellow female rapper Lil’ Kim, adding more fuel to the fire of controversy surrounding her career. Despite the issues with her label and internal conflicts, Remy Ma maintained her presence in the industry and was working on new music. She was working on her second album. Actually, the struggle in getting that project together caused tension with Fat Joe.
However, the 2007 shooting incident abruptly halted her promising career. In addition, it led to her eventual conviction. Remy was charged with assault, illegal weapon possession, and coercion. She was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2008. Three years have passed since this sentencing.
Fat Joe, despite their differences, publicly expressed his sympathies towards Remy following her sentencing. Thus, acknowledging her talent and the difficult situation she found herself in.
The Appeal
Remy Ma’s legal team filed an appeal in hopes of overturning the conviction, arguing that the jury had not been properly informed before reaching their verdict. Specifically, her defense claimed that the trial judge, state Supreme Court Judge Rena Uviller, should have allowed her attorney to present an alternative scenario. Their alternative scenario was that the shooting may have been accidental during a struggle over the purse.
Judge Uviller had called Remy “a young woman whose anger is out of control” during the initial trial. The prosecution argued that the shooting was intentional. They cited Remy’s failure to call for help after the incident as evidence of her guilt.
The appeals court ultimately upheld the original conviction. Thus, ruling that the trial judge had acted within legal bounds, and that the jury’s decision was fair.
The Aftermath
The denial of her appeal means Remy Ma will remain in prison until 2013. This was the verdict, as originally scheduled. Throughout her time in prison, she has maintained her innocence. Thus, claiming that the shooting was a mistake and that her actions were not premeditated.
During her incarceration, Remy Ma married fellow rapper Papoose and continued to express her love for hip-hop. So, she’s frequently writing new music. In various letters and statements from prison, she expressed her desire to return to the music industry once released.
Remy’s victim, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, has undergone numerous surgeries since the shooting. Additionally, she filed an $80 million civil lawsuit against the rapper. The case further highlighted the emotional and financial toll that the incident had on all involved.
A Long Road Ahead
Though Remy Ma’s legal fight has come to a close for now, her story remains a cautionary tale of how quickly success can unravel. She was once a rising star with Grammy nominations and hit singles under her belt. Now, Remy faces the reality of serving out her prison sentence. After that, she’s trying to rebuild her career upon release.
While her legal battles may be over, Remy Ma’s place in hip-hop history is cemented. Her return to the industry, should it happen in 2013, will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated in recent memory.
As she serves her sentence, Remy Ma has expressed a desire to reconnect with her roots. When referencing her roots, this is musically and personally. Her journey to redemption may be long. However, her influence on the culture remains strong. As a result, many fans are eagerly awaiting her eventual return. Despite her setbacks, Remy’s resilience and passion for her craft could lead to a powerful comeback. Thus, she’s showcasing that even after hitting rock bottom, a true artist can rise again.