California: Don't Give Artist Life Sentence for Rap Album!
Rapper Brandon "Tiny Doo" Duncan was arrested on charges related to gang murders and now faces life in prison despite any direct connection to the killings. Prosecutors have charged him with an obscure law that lets gang members be prosecuted if they profit from the crimes of other gang members. Duncan's album sales increased following the murder.
Duncan's album cover includes a picture of a revolver with bullets, but that is hardly unusual in the rap genre. Unlike many popular rap albums, Duncan's does not include lyrics that reference gang shootings. He is being charged and faces life in prison simply for associating with gang members and for an increase in his album sales. He has no criminal record.
This case is a huge breach of the Constitution and would set a horrible precedent. Hanging out with people who commit crimes is not and should not be a crime, and Duncan should not be held accountable for murders he had nothing to do with. Please sign the petition to urge San Diego's prosecutors to drop charges against Duncan!
We are writing to express our concerns that rapper Brandon "Tiny Doo" Duncan was arrested on charges related to gang murders and now faces life in prison despite any direct connection to the killings. We understand prosecutors have charged him with an obscure law that lets gang members be prosecuted if they profit from the crimes of other gang members. In this case, Duncan's album sales increased following the murders.
Duncan's album cover includes a picture of a revolver with bullets, but that is hardly unusual in the rap genre. Unlike many popular rap albums, Duncan's does not include lyrics that reference gang shootings. He is being charged and faces life in prison simply for associating with gang members and for an increase in his album sales. He has no criminal record.
This case is a huge breach of the Constitution and would set a horrible precedent. Hanging out with people who commit crimes is not and should not be a crime, and Duncan should not be held accountable for murders he had nothing to do with. We respectfully urge you to drop charges against Duncan. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
