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April 2, 2008
Victim’s Attorney: Remy Ma
Needs to Take Responsibility
On-Line Petition to Judge is Insulting to Victims of Violent Crimes
On Thursday, March 27, Rap Artist Remy Ma was convicted of first-degree assault and weapons charges for the July 14, 2007 shooting of Makeda Barnes-Joseph. Days later, Remy Ma began asking her fans on her Myspace page (www.myspace.com/remyma) to "write letters about how Remy and her music has positively affected you, influenced you, inspired you, etc…" to the judge asking for leniency without taking responsibility for her actions or apologizing to her victim. A cursory review of Ma's lyrics reveal images of drug use, violence and glamorization of guns in her songs.
"A jury of her peers found Remy Ma guilty based on overwhelming evidence. It is time for Remy Ma to take responsibility, to stop thinking she is the real victim, and to stop sending the wrong message to her fans," Lauren P. Raysor, attorney for Makeda Barnes-Joseph said. "Remy Ma's online petition is a slap in the face of thousands of victims of violent crimes."
During the case, Ivan Fisher, Remy Ma's attorney, conceded that his client fired the shots that left Makeda Barnes-Joseph with injuries that required 3 surgeries and lingering numbness in her legs. "Ms. Barnes-Joseph is truly lucky to be alive. Until Remy Ma demonstrates her willingness to take responsibility for her actions and show remorse, such plea for leniency is unacceptable," Raysor said.
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