New York Governor Pardons Ricky “Slick Rick” Walters
The New York State Constitution gives the governor of New York the power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction for all offenses except treason and cases of impeachment. Governor David A. Paterson announced yesterday that he has exercised that power in favor of renowned rapper Ricky “Slick Rick” Walters for his 1991 attempted murder and weapon convictions. The full and unconditional pardon was granted to assist Mr. Walters -who emigrated from the United Kingdom to the United States at the age of eleven-to attempt to avoid deportation.
Mr. Walters is probably best known as the rapper who recorded "La-Di-Da-Di" and "Children's Story".
In June 1991, Mr. Walters pled guilty in the Bronx County Supreme Court to multiple felonies which according to NYS Department of Correctional Services' records included: attempted murder in the second degree (class B Felony); criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree [class C felony]; criminal use of firearms in the first degree (class C felony); and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree [class D felony]. He was sentenced to 3 1/3 years to 10 years in state prison. Mr. Walter's was eligible for parole on February 4, 1994 but was not released from state prison until June 4, 1997. He was under the supervision of parole following his release from state prison. He was discharged from parole supervision on or about October 4, 2000.
Mr. Walter’s convictions arose out of an incident in which he shot his cousin and another individual. They both survived being shot. Mr. Walter’s cousin had allegedly threatened him in the past and Mr. Walter’s allegedly believed his cousin was responsible for a prior attempt on his life. Mr. Walter’s was twenty-five years old at the time of the shootings having been born on January 14, 1965.
In announcing the pardon Governor Patterson stated: “Mr. Walters has fully served the sentence imposed upon him for his convictions, had an exemplary disciplinary record while in prison and on parole, and has been living without incident in the community for more than 10 years,” said Governor Paterson. “In that time, he has volunteered at youth outreach programs to counsel youth against violence, and has become a symbol of rehabilitation for many young people. Given these demonstrated rehabilitative efforts, I urge federal immigration officials to once again grant Mr. Walters relief from deportation, so that he is not separated from his many family members who are United States citizens, including his two teenage children.”
Mr. Walter’s still faces the possibility of deportation despite the pardon by Governor Patterson pursuant to a federal statute that requires the removal of a lawful resident alien convicted of an aggravated felony or a weapon offense. Mr. Walter’s must again seek discretionary relief from the federal immigration courts. He had previously been granted relief from deportation from the federal immigration courts but the decision granting him the relief was later vacated based upon a technicality. Mr. Walter’s has been unable to reapply for discretionary relief because of his attempted murder convictions. Governor Paterson’s pardon clears the way for Mr. Walter’s to re-apply for discretionary relief from the federal immigration courts.
