Unlike most black men in America, T.I. received unprecedented leniency from the justice system. A convicted felon when he was arrested in 2007 for attempting to buy illegal weapons, T.I. could have been sentenced to 10 or more years in prison, which would have essentially ended his rap career.
However, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pannell Jr. believed that T.I. could do more by using his influence to steer troubled youth in the right direction and sentenced the rapper to only one year in prison and 1000 hours of community service.
But on Friday, Oct. 15, Judge Pannell was perturbed that T.I. had misused the rare opportunity that he was given by using opiates and hanging with a convicted felon.
“I think Mr. Harris has had about the limit of second chances,” Pannel said. “The worst thing is this case was an experiment. You certainly dumped a lot of smut on the whole experiment.” Judge Pannell sentenced T.I. to 11 months in prison and the rapper will have to report on Nov. 1.
T.I.’s latest mishap has disappointed fans and the six executives at Warner Music Group who put up $2.2 million in signature bonds to get the rapper released from prison in 2007.
But while his business associates and fans are displeased, his kids are saddened. The one thing that will hurt more than the time in prison and possible career setbacks is the fact that T.I. must look each of his six kids in their eyes and explain to them why he will be absent from their lives for the next 11 months. –amir shaw
