Kanye's surprising link to Trump's pardon of one of ‘most notorious criminals' in history serving 6 life sentences

Scottish Sun

4 days ago

His ex Kim Kardashian also supported the cause
LET HIM OUT
LET HIM OUT Kanye's surprising link to Trump's pardon of one of 'most notorious criminals' in history serving 6 life sentences
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KANYE has a shocking link to Donald Trump's pardon of a notorious criminal serving six life sentences, it's been revealed.
The thrilled rapper said that 'words can't express my gratitude for freeing Larry Hoover.'
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Kanye West has spent eight years battling for the freeing of Larry Hoover
Credit: Getty
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Larry Hoover, a founder of the notorious Gangster Disciples, has been serving six life sentences
Credit: Getty
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Donald Trump has issued a series of pardons this week, and has commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, a former Chicago gang leader
Credit: AP
President Donald Trump issued a flurry of pardons on Wednesday, including to multimillionaire fraudsters Todd and Julie Chrisley.
He also commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, a former Chicago gang leader serving a life sentence at a supermax prison in Colorado.
Kanye said on X, "WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER."
Hoover, now aged 74, is the co-founder of the Gangster Disciples.
Back in the 1990s, he was given six life sentences on conspiracy, extortion, drug and various other criminal charges.
But he was first imprisoned in connection with the murder of a rival drug dealer in 1973, and was convicted of running a criminal enterprise in 1998.
However, Hoover later renounced his criminal past and petitioned the authorities for a reduced sentence.
"I am no longer a member, leader, or even an elder statesman of the Gangster Disciples," he wrote in a letter to a court in 2022, adding, "I want nothing to do with it now and forever."
His attorney said he has spent nearly 30 years in solitary confinement.
Hoover managed to gain support in the mainstream media after Kanye spent years battling publicly for his release.
Kim Kardashian strengthens security for her kids after Kanye West's unhinged threats as children's 'safety is priority'
The star even held a concert in 2021 - featuring nemesis Drake - and promoted the phrase "Free Larry Hoover" from incarceration.
His ex, Kim Kardashian, was among the many celebrities happy to promote the rapper's charity event.
Kanye and Drake managed to put their differences aside to come together for the benefit concert hosted at the Los Angeles Coliseum in California.
Kanye addressed the stars' feud in a touching Instagram post at that time, saying in December 2021, 'Both me and Drake have taken shots at each other and it's time to put it to rest.
'I'm asking Drake... to join me on stage as a special guest to share the two biggest albums of the year live in Los Angeles with the ultimate purpose being to free Larry Hoover.'
Who is Larry Hoover?
Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, a former Chicago gang leader
Larry Hoover, 74, is a founder of the Gangster Disciples and was accused of murdering a rival drug dealer in 1973.
Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Hoover moved with his parents to Chicago, Illinois when he was four years old before turning to gang life by the time he was 13.
He started with theft and mugging, but as he got older his crimes turned to assaults and shootings.
On February 26, 1973, Hoover murdered William Young alongside another Gangster Disciple member, Andrew Howard.
While at Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois, Hoover began to gather followers - however, the authorities saw this as a positive.
Hoover made it mandatory for any members of Gangster Disciple to educate themselves, pick up a trade, and become better members of society.
But, in 1995 an undercover investigation indicted Hoover for drug conspiracy charges.
In 1997 he was found guilty and he has been serving six life sentences at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado.
In July 2021, a federal judge denied a bid from Hoover for a sentencing break under the First Step Act.
The First Step Act was signed by Trump in 2018, and applies to all relevant drug convictions before and after 2010.
Kanye had initially appealed in 2018 to Trump for Hoover to be released, but his request was not granted.
This week's news of his commutation prompted the man's delighted son, Larry Hoover Jr., to praise the star for "sticking his neck out" on his dad's behalf.
Statement from Larry Hoover's attorneys
Hoover has been serving a life sentence for a 1970s murder conviction, and an additional life sentence for running a criminal enterprise from behind bars in the 1990s
His attorneys said in a statement, "The Courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr. Hoover's considerable growth and complete rehabilitation.
"Despite the Court's unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters.
"Thankfully, Mr. Hoover's pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover.
"We are thrilled to see that Mr. Hoover will be released from Federal Custody."
The process 'started a long time ago with Kanye. Kanye put us on the platform,' a relieved Hoover Jr., told TMZ on Wednesday.
He added, '[Kanye] had a very big part because he started it all off. He put us on the platform.
"He took us to the White House on his platform when he didn't have to do that."
In late 2021, Larry Hoover Jr. was invited to speak about the campaign during Kanye's Drink Champs interview - a hip-hop talk show/podcast with celebs.
He told the show his kids would never have the chance to hug their grandfather.
Kanye explained that he had assembled a top legal team, including Jennifer Bonjean, the lawyer who helped release disgraced comedian Bill Cosby.
REMAINS JAILED
Hoover's lawyer, Justin Moore, said of his client's commutation, "We got Larry Hoover out of federal prison - when many said it was impossible… Illinois must send him home for good."
However, Fox 13 reported that Hoover will likely be transferred back to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
According to NBC News, Hoover, will not be set free from jail.
Following his expected transfer to a state prison in Illinois, he will serve the rest of a 200-year sentence for crimes he was separately convicted of in state court.
Louisiana rap artist NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden and whose stage moniker stands for Never Broke Again, also received a Trump pardon.