Latest news with #PopSmoke
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Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Corey Walker sentenced to 29 years for role in Pop Smoke's death
Corey Walker, the final individual convicted in the 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke, expressed deep remorse during his sentencing in Los Angeles on Friday. Walker, 24, received a 29-year sentence after accepting a plea deal on February 5. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery in connection with the rapper's death. In court, Walker issued a heartfelt apology to Pop Smoke's family, despite their absence. He acknowledged that no apology could make up for taking someone's life. 'Even though the Jackson family isn't here in court today, I would like to sincerely apologize for my unforgivable actions,' Walker said, according to a Rolling Stone report. Walker also expressed regret for the pain his actions caused his own family and community. 'I also want to apologize to my family for the pain and embarrassment that they have endured over the last five years,' he added. Initially charged with murder and facing a life sentence without the possibility of parole, Walker avoided a harsher penalty through the plea deal. He thanked his defense team for helping him achieve this outcome. 'Today I take responsibility for my dreadful partake in these crimes,' Walker said. 'As I begin my road to rehabilitation, I assure you that I will steer clear of negative behavior.' Pop Smoke, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, was killed during a home invasion in February 2020 while staying at a rented house in the Hollywood Hills. The assailants, led by Walker, broke in after 20-year-old Pop Smoke unknowingly revealed the address on Instagram. They shot him multiple times and stole valuables, including a Rolex watch. Walker was the only adult charged in the crime, while three others involved were juveniles who reached separate plea deals.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
Last man charged in 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke pleads guilty
The fourth and final person charged in connection with the 2020 killing of rising rap star Pop Smoke faces almost three decades in prison after pleading guilty to three counts this week, authorities said. Corey Walker, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery with firearm and gang enhancements, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped a murder charge against Walker. Walker is expected to be sentenced to 29 years during his next court hearing on Feb. 21. A call to Walker's attorney was not immediately returned Thursday. The district attorney's office said it would not comment on a pending case. Read more: Rapper Pop Smoke gunned down in Hollywood Hills home Pop Smoke, an up-and-coming rapper who drew acclaim following the release of his breakthrough mixtape, 'Meet the Woo,' and follow-up, "Meet the Woo 2," was shot in the torso during a home invasion robbery inside a posh Hollywood Hills house he was renting in February 2020. Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, later died at a hospital. He was 20 years old. Investigators believe an image from an Instagram story may have revealed the address where he was staying, as well as valuables in his possession at the time. Four people were charged in his death. Walker, the lone adult at the time of the slaying, was the alleged ringleader of a group that included three juveniles, according to the district attorney's office. Read more: Pop Smoke's social media posts may have given his killers key clues The first defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery in April 2023 and was sentenced to four years and two months in the Secure Youth Treatment Facility. Another man, who was 15 at the time, admitted to a juvenile court petition charging him with first-degree murder in May 2023. He also admitted to home-invasion robbery and allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm during the crime. The man is expected to be held in a state juvenile facility until he turns 25. The fourth person charged in the crime "settled his case and was sent to a post-conviction juvenile housing facility," according to Rolling Stone. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
06-02-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Last man charged in 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke pleads guilty
The fourth and final person charged in connection with the 2020 killing of rising rap star Pop Smoke faces almost three decades in prison after pleading guilty to three counts this week, authorities said. Corey Walker, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery with firearm and gang enhancements, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped a murder charge against Walker. Walker is expected to be sentenced to 29 years during his next court hearing on Feb. 21. A call to Walker's attorney was not immediately returned Thursday. The district attorney's office said it would not comment on a pending case. Pop Smoke, an up-and-coming rapper who drew acclaim following the release of his breakthrough mixtape, 'Meet the Woo,' and follow-up, 'Meet the Woo 2,' was shot in the torso during a home invasion robbery inside a posh Hollywood Hills house he was renting in February 2020. Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, later died at a hospital. He was 20 years old. Investigators believe an image from an Instagram story may have revealed the address where he was staying, as well as valuables in his possession at the time. Four people were charged in his death. Walker, the lone adult at the time of the slaying, was the alleged ringleader of a group that included three juveniles, according to the district attorney's office. The first defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery in April 2023 and was sentenced to four years and two months in the Secure Youth Treatment Facility. Another man, who was 15 at the time, admitted to a juvenile court petition charging him with first-degree murder in May 2023. He also admitted to home-invasion robbery and allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm during the crime. The man is expected to be held in a state juvenile facility until he turns 25. The fourth person charged in the crime 'settled his case and was sent to a post-conviction juvenile housing facility,' according to Rolling Stone.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Man charged in 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke pleads guilty to manslaughter to avoid trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man charged in the 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke during a robbery at a Hollywood Hills mansion accepted a plea deal, averting a trial on a murder charge that was to have started Thursday. Corey Walker, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery in exchange for a sentence of 29 years in prison, which he will receive at a later hearing. He was the only adult charged in the case along with three who were juveniles at the time of the crime, including a then-15-year-old gunman. All have already reached separate deals. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. An email sent to Walker's lawyers seeking comment was not immediately answered. He was accused of leading the group to the rented mansion where the 20-year-old New York rapper Pop Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was killed on Feb. 19, 2020, during what was to be a four-day trip to Los Angeles. A 911 call from a friend of someone in the house reported armed intruders inside, police said. The robbers knew the address because a day earlier, Pop Smoke had posted a photograph on social media of a gift bag he had received and the address was on a label, authorities said. The rapper was in the shower when masked robbers confronted him. During a struggle, the 15-year-old, pistol-whipped him and shot him three times in the back, according to court testimony. The attackers stole his diamond-studded Rolex watch and sold it for $2,000, a detective testified. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Pop Smoke arrived on the hip-hop scene in 2018 and broke out with 'Welcome to the Party' an anthem with boasts about shootings, killings and drugs that became a huge sensation, and prompted Nicki Minaj to drop a verse on a remix. He had several other hits, including the album 'Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon,' which was released posthumously.
Associated Press
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Man charged in 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke pleads guilty to manslaughter to avoid trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man charged in the 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke during a robbery at a Hollywood Hills mansion accepted a plea deal, averting a trial on a murder charge that was to have started Thursday. Corey Walker, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery in exchange for a sentence of 29 years in prison, which he will receive at a later hearing. He was the only adult charged in the case along with three who were juveniles at the time of the crime, including a then-15-year-old gunman. All have already reached separate deals. An email sent to Walker's lawyers seeking comment was not immediately answered. He was accused of leading the group to the rented mansion where the 20-year-old New York rapper Pop Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was killed on Feb. 19, 2020, during what was to be a four-day trip to Los Angeles. A 911 call from a friend of someone in the house reported armed intruders inside, police said. The robbers knew the address because a day earlier, Pop Smoke had posted a photograph on social media of a gift bag he had received and the address was on a label, authorities said. The rapper was in the shower when masked robbers confronted him. During a struggle, the 15-year-old, pistol-whipped him and shot him three times in the back, according to court testimony. The attackers stole his diamond-studded Rolex watch and sold it for $2,000, a detective testified. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Pop Smoke arrived on the hip-hop scene in 2018 and broke out with 'Welcome to the Party' an anthem with boasts about shootings, killings and drugs that became a huge sensation, and prompted Nicki Minaj to drop a verse on a remix. He had several other hits, including the album 'Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon,' which was released posthumously.
