A Murder Suspect Sentenced to 29 Years in Prison Following Guilty Plea Deal

Accusations and Verdict

The individual charged in connection with the tragic shooting of the late rapper Pop Smoke collided with a potential sentence of 29 years in prison after entering a guilty plea.

Corey Walker, 24 years old, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter today (February 5) along with two counts of home robbery for his involvement in the 2020 murder of the New York rapper.

Originally, Walker faced murder charges and could have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Currently, he faces a maximum of 29 years in state prison, with sentencing set for February 21, according to CBS News.

Details of the Incident

Walker was one of four individuals charged in connection with the murder that took place in a rented house in Hollywood Hills during a robbery in February 2020. Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Jackson, was only 20 years old at the time.

The group allegedly invaded the rapper’s Airbnb in Los Angeles with the intention of stealing valuable items, including a diamond-studded Rolex watch and a Cuban link chain. They managed to steal a watch, which was reportedly resold for $2,000 (£1,405).

Walker was 19 years old at the time of the murder, while another co-defendant, Keander Rogers, was 22. The other two co-defendants were minors.

Rogers was also initially charged with murder, and he and Walker were both faced with special charges that could have led to the death penalty.

Last year, the Los Angeles prosecutors announced they would not seek the death penalty against Walker.

Two teenagers involved in the murder, who were 17 and 15 years old at the time of the charges in July 2020, have since admitted their roles. The latter pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a juvenile court in May 2023 and is expected to remain in a youth institution until he turns 25.

The former pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in April 2023. Since he was a minor during the shooting in 2020, he was also adjudicated in juvenile court and received a sentence of four years and two months.

Tributes and Legacy

The hip-hop community mourned Jackson’s death, with tributes pouring in from artists like Joey Bad$, Pusha T, 50 Cent, Fivio Foreign, and many others. Jackson’s debut album, “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon,” was released posthumously in 2020. The second posthumous album, “Faith,” followed the next year, featuring appearances from Rick Ross, 21 Savage, TakeOff, Future, Dua Lipa, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, and others.