The sentencing of former Illinois death row inmate Aaron Patterson on drug and weapons charges took a turn for the strange yesterday when rapper and actor Mos Def showed up to testify on his behalf.
Patterson served 17 years (and 13 on death row) for two murders he claimed he did not commit and was pardoned in 2003 by George Ryan, governor at the time, who also commuted the sentences of the 167 men on Illinois' death row to life in prison.
After his release, Patterson worked as a community activist and ran for the state House of Representatives, but was defeated handily. According to the Washington Post, in 2004 he was arrested and accused of "brokering heroin sales to a government witnesses, buying marijuana and buying a machine pistol and other weapons."
He was convicted in July of 2005.
Mos Def met Patterson five years ago and offered his assistance during yesterday's sentencing proceedings: "He's definitely an asset to the community. He cares a great deal for his people."
