Pop Smoke’s killer sentenced to 29 years in prison by Los Angeles judge
In 2020, Brooklyn drill artist Pop Smoke was murdered. The emcee rose to dominance extremely fast after releasing street anthems like ‘Dior’ and ‘Welcome To The Party’. However, his momentum quickly ended when he lost his life.
Now, one of four individuals suspected of the crime has been sentenced to 29 years in prison for his murder. Pop Smoke was only 20 when he was killed and, akin to PnB Rock, he lost his life during a robbery attempt gone wrong. However, Pop Smoke was during a robbery of a rented Hollywood Hills mansion he was living in.
The robbers aimed to steal his diamond-studded Rolex watch and Cuban link chain. The group then allegedly resold it for $2,000. Still, following a lengthy investigation and trial, after five years, on February 21st, Corey Walker was sentenced to 29 years in prison in a courtroom in Los Angeles.
Walker faced various charges and eventually pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery with a firearm. According to a report by Rolling Stone, Walker was “deeply remorseful” in court and apologised for his actions.
Walker supposedly addressed the late rapper’s family, declaring, “Even though the Jackson family isn’t here in court today, I would like to sincerely apologise for my unforgivable actions, although there’s no apology that amounts to the taking of someone’s life.”
He continued, “I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to my family for the pain and embarrassment that they have endured over the last five years, as well as an apology to my community.”
Walker’s sentence of 29 years was a minimised version of the sentence he faced before accepting a plea deal. Prior to accepting the deal, he faced life behind bars. Still, in court, he reportedly admitted to the manslaughter and said he was happy to “take responsibility” for his actions.
As for the three Walker’s co-conspirators, one who was 15 at the time of the crime (now 19) will remain in a juvenile detention centre until he’s 25. The other involved individual was only 17 at the time of the 2020 shooting and pleaded guilty in 2023 in a juvenile court. He was sentenced to four years and two months. The only person left to be sent to trial is Keandre Rodgers, who was 18 at the time and faced a murder charge. Still, his case is being reassessed.
On February 21st, following the trial, Deputy District Attorney Hilary Williams told Rolling Stone, “Corey Walker was not an innocent participant in any of this. He was the mastermind ringleader in the planning, driving and provision of weapons to minors.”
Detailing Walker’s involvement in the Pop Smoke’s murder, Williams continued, “He did surveillance on the home earlier that night and exchanged or traded cars so that the vehicle he drove up in was now a four-door vehicle that could accommodate more individuals that could enter that home and violate the rights of Mr. Jackson and his friends. Mr. Walker knew exactly what he was doing.”