Did T.I. Have His Rights Violated By The Federales?
Are you a well-known rapper stuck at home on Thanksgiving while facing federal weapons charges? Well, maybe you’ll be out by Christmas if your lawyers can argue the court to “suppress evidence and statements that they believe were obtained illegally.”
According to the Associated Press, Tip’s lawyers claim that the vehicle he was driving during his arrest on October 13 was searched without a warrant or probable cause, and that statements he made to ATF agents may not have been voluntary. The motions also suggest that the rapper’s detention may not have been legal, and the arresting agents could have violated his rights. Further details about the challenges were not available; however, Tip’s attorneys say that they intend to file additional motions.
Sadly, we have seemed to reach the point in every cop show where the defense attorneys make the last-ditch “he was never Mirandized/it was a sting/the evidence procedures were cocked up” play for the judge, i.e. two steps from the defendant taking a plea. But who knows, maybe T.I. will get blessed with one of those WTF? twist endings that do your head in right before the credits roll. (Also, maybe I’m just preoccupied with police procedurals today, but what is up with TNT having a Charmed marathon on Thanksgiving? Even some of us who aren’t on house arrest had planned on parking our turkey-bloated bodies in front of nine hours of Law And Order tomorrow.)
