Rapper Meek Mill Set For Prison Release After Sentence Sparked Public Outcry

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: A general view of a rally protesting the imprisonment of Meek Mill outside the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center during the rapper's status hearing on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, P... PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: A general view of a rally protesting the imprisonment of Meek Mill outside the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center during the rapper's status hearing on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images) MORE LESS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pennsylvania’s highest court has ordered a judge to free rapper Meek Mill on bail while he appeals decade-old gun and drug convictions.

The Supreme Court directed a Philadelphia judge who had jailed him to immediately issue an order releasing him on unsecured bail.

Mill was sentenced in November to 2-4 years in prison for violating probation.

Mill issued a statement saying his five months in jail have been “a nightmare” and thanking all his supporters.

A team of lawyers and public relations consultants had waged an all-out battle to get him freed on bail.

Prosecutors say they believe Mill should get a new trial because of questions raised about the credibility of his arresting officer.