Several online platforms and social media reports show that authorities have released one of Pop Smoke’s alleged killers, King Vermont Raskel, from jail for what seems like his 21st birthday.
There isn’t solid information available about this supposed release at press time other than this being the completion of the alleged killer’s four-year sentence for pleading guilty to murder.
This follows other developments in the New York drill rapper’s murder case, such as an alleged eyewitness explaining how it all happened. There are still a lot of unanswered questions and doubts when it comes to this new development.
Four years have passed since Pop Smoke died in a home invasion and robbery, and only one defendant remains in his case.
Corey Walker is also the only adult defendant in this case, and the court delayed his trial due to an inability to settle a plea agreement with prosecutors.
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“Negotiations fell through, but there’s still a possibility we’ll come to an agreement,” defense attorney Deion Benjamin told Rolling Stone. “A few things need to be ironed out. If they don’t get resolved, we’ll go to trial,” for which jury selection would begin on August 6.
However, this vague release isn’t the most odd or bizarre thing to emerge out of this Pop Smoke case.
Some connected it to the death of rapper Sirtanky, and believe that the latter passed away as a move of retaliation for the murder of the former.
The Los Angeles rapper reportedly washed up in a barrel on the shores of Malibu, a gruesome and disturbing end with unclear context behind it.
Meanwhile, Pop Smoke continues to live on as a staple of contemporary New York hip-hop legend, falling alongside city legends that have also done a lot to represent the city in their respective eras.