Pras Suffers One other Authorized Defeat However Nonetheless Has Hope For New Trial

A choose denied Pras Michel’s movement for acquittal in his political conspiracy case on Friday (April 12). The Fugees member claimed prosecutors introduced inadequate proof to convict him, however Choose Collen Kollar-Kotelly disagreed.

“After a five-week trial, a jury convicted Michel of 10 counts,” the choose wrote. “The Courtroom has completely reviewed the in depth proof introduced at trial and finds the proof ample to face up to a movement for judgment of acquittal underneath Federal Rule of Legal Process 29. Accordingly, Michel’s Movement for Judgment of Acquittal is denied.”

Pras was convicted of conspiracy, concealment of fabric info, making false entries in data, serving as an unregistered agent of a international energy and witness tampering in 2023. A jury discovered him responsible of taking part in a conspiracy involving thousands and thousands of {dollars} in international funds, which had been used for unlawful back-channel lobbying and illegal marketing campaign donations.

Prosecutors stated Pras conspired with Malaysian businessman Jho Low to affect two presidential administrations illegally. Pras obtained $100 million for his efforts.

Pras believed he not less than deserved a brand new trial if the choose refused to throw out his convictions. Choose Collen Kollar-Kotelly rejected his argument.

“Michel gives a blanket assertion that the verdicts had been towards the load of the proof,” the choose wrote. “Michel presents no extra arguments—solely directing the Courtroom to assessment his earlier arguments for judgment of acquittal—for the Courtroom’s consideration … Based mostly on the Courtroom’s assessment of the proof and trial transcripts, in addition to presiding over the trial itself, the Courtroom can’t conclude {that a} “severe miscarriage of justice could have occurred.’”

The choose added, “The jury was introduced with important proof demonstrating Michel’s culpability for the charged offenses. The collective proof is powerful sufficient to fulfill the Courtroom that the verdicts don’t characterize a miscarriage of justice. As such, Michel’s request for a brand new trial on this foundation is denied.”

Pras maintained some hope for a brand new trial. His movement relating to ineffective help of counsel continues to be pending.

The rapper’s former lawyer David Kenner pleaded responsible to leaking details about the case to reporters in January. A spokesperson for Pras stated Kenner “failed at each flip to competently characterize Pras over the course of this prolonged authorized battle.”