Hip-hop pioneer Slick Rick has received a full pardon from New York Governor David A. Paterson for attempted murder and weapon charges in the 1990s.
The artist, whose real name is Ricky Walters, served six years in prison for the non-fatal shooting of his cousin and a bystander. Walter�??s cousin had previously threatened him and reportedly had arranged to have him killed.
Walters had an exemplary disciplinary record in prison and since being released, has been living peacefully in his Bronx community for over 10 years. He has volunteered to educate youth against violence and serves as a kind of role model for delinquent teens.
He faces deportation because of his weapons offenses, and was forced to seek pardon in order to remain in the US where he has many family members including two teenage children.
He was born in the UK, but became a resident of the US at aged 11.
Even after receiving the pardon, Walters will still have to seek discretionary relief from deportation from the immigration court.
--By our New York staff.
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