(AllHipHop Features) C-Murder’s hunger strike to oppose Angola Prison’s conditions and the handling of its inmates may have come to a close, but problems persist inside of the nation’s largest correctional facility. C-Murder is serving a life sentence for the 2002 slaying of a 16-year-old. The rapper and several inmates launched a three-week hunger strike over the wretched conditions they are being kept in. While Angola Prison received some positive press last week, thanks to the death of the Reverend Billy Graham, but the inmates continue to suffer. Prisoners at Angola constructed the coffin Rev. Graham was buried in and were rewarded by having their names wood burned onto his casket. But shortly before the news of Rev. Graham’s death, a new account highlighted the harsh circumstances these very inmates are still kept in. AllHipHop.com’s original story about C-Murder’s hunger strike inside of Angola led to an independent investigation by The Daily Dot. The website received new footage inside of Angola, provided by a guard who wished to remain anonymous. ​ The latest video shows inmates having to clean up flooding, with their bare hands. The inmates claim Angola is infested with rodents, cats, and dogs, who all roam freely around the jail. To make matters worse, some inmates insist worms come out of the shower heads when they turn on the water as they attempt to wash. ​ ​ ​Inmate Keith Kisack was one of the several inmates who joined C-Murder in his hunger strike to protest the conditions inside of the prison. Keith Kisack is serving a life sentence in Angola, after a case that made headlines throughout the state of Louisiana. Keith Kisack received his life sentence when he was convicted of having a smuggled cell phone while he was locked up in a different prison. On December 27th, 2011 a correctional officer at Orleans Parish Prison discovered the phone inside of a black sock, which was hidden inside of the crevice of a wall. When investigator’s examined the cell phone’s contents, they found a selfie of Keith Kisack, along with hundreds of text messages, including a few sent to an attorney named Jason Williams, who represented Kisack in a 2011 murder case. Keith Kisack, who had been caught with a phone inside of the jail twice, was promptly charged with possession of contraband, while his then-attorney Jason Williams was called to testify about his communication with the person on the other end of the phone. Several messages Jason Williams had sent to the device were addressed to someone he identified as “K.K.” and included personal messages and holiday greetings. In July of 2014, Keith Kisack’s former defense attorney worked with prosecutors and testified against his ex-client regarding the messages sent to the cellphone. Jason Williams testified there was no way he knew who was receiving the messages since he represented dozens of defendants over the years, and that he didn’t know the phone was inside of the Orleans Parish Prison. Keith Kisack’s new lawyers argued that their client was being singled out after a shocking video leaked in 2010, showcasing prisoners inside Orleans Parish Prison using drugs and drinking beer, handling a loaded gun, and even leaving the facility to hang out on Bourbon Street. https://www.google.com/sorry/index?continue=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_rRZ9ejTqU&q=EgQs6nbMGMqTg_kFIhkA8aeDS1Wn_W0NqBQeZC_f7JwrX4X_iBpIMgFy A jury convicted Keith Kisack of having the contraband and in less than 20 minutes, handed him a life sentence with hard labor in Angola, with no chance of parole, for being a habitual offender. ​ “On the surface, life imprisonment for possession of a cell phone is seemingly ‘too severe’ in light of the particular circumstances of the case; however, when considering Kisack’s long criminal history, and that he was incarcerated at the time of this offense awaiting trial for second degree murder, we cannot conclude that the trial court was manifestly erroneous in handing down a life sentence for this fourth felony conviction. In fact, we could conclude the possession of a cell phone in prison poses a clear opportunity for a threat to prison security,” wrote Judge Daniel L. Dysart in a March 2016 ruling. Jason Williams went on to become city councilman at large for the city of New Orleans. As of March 2018, Keith Kisack has not been tried or convicted for the murder case since the main witness was killed and the state allegedly believes Kisack was involved. ​ Keith Kisack reached out to AllHipHop.com to discuss his situation, and even though he has ended his hunger strike too, he maintains he continues to be targeted for protesting conditions inside of the jail. ​ ​ Keith Kisack Offender ID: 345993 ​ The things mentioned in last week’s articles are happening here at Angola, a lot of us here are going through extreme racism and civil rights violations. When we speak up or file a compliment, we are thrown in the hole or suffer extreme punishment. ​ They also will jack inmate’s cases up by putting harsher sentences once the original charge is almost up. ​ With my case, once they were not able to stick any charges to me, Angola got me on an alleged contraband (cell phone) allegation and gave me a life sentence for a cell phone… LIFE ​ This is an injustice and in no rational mind dat a person should be given a life sentence in prison for a cell phone. No ongoing criminal activity or wrongdoing – simply fighting to get out of prison. ​ No doubt psychologically I am damaged, plus b/c this is a non-violent crime and has become a personal issue from all levels. My previous lawyers who suppose to be fighting for me, has been playing for position with and for da opposition. ​ What I have learned lately that my lawyers either rented office space from judges that oversee cases at Angola or they went to school together. So we (Inmates) have no chance in beating the bogus charges or time. ​ I really need a civil rights lawyer outside of Louisiana who has […]

(AllHipHop Features) Rapper CMurder is in the second week of his hunger strike inside of Angola Prison. The rapper, born Corey Miller, was convicted of the 2002 murder of a 16-year-old named Steven Thomas, inside of a Jefferson Parish nightclub. His initial conviction was overturned in March of 2006, after prosecutors were caught expunging the criminal backgrounds of their witnesses, in order to bolster their credibilty in court. The case went all the way to Louisiana’s Supreme Court in 2009, a jury found the rapper guilty, he was sentenced to life in prison and sent to Angola Prison. In 2014, his lawyers filed an appeal citing the statement of a juror named Mary Jacobs, who admitted she was pressured into casting a guilty vote even though she felt he was innocent. On January 30, 2018, CMurder told AllHipHop.com that he was embarking on a hunger strike in protest of the way guards are treating the inmates. Representatives for the rapper told AllHipHop.com that CMurder has been punished since speaking out against what he feels are injustices inside of the notorious prison and launching his hunger strike to protest the conditions in Angola Prison. CMurder has been placed in solitary confinement with no light, in a frigid cell. In addition to his own mistreatment, CMurder has accused the guards of systematic abuse of other inmates. His latest round of accusations include: – Instances of guards placing inmates that are on suicide watch in cells with other suicide watch inmates, and neglecting them. – Instances where inmates have had shards of glass in their food and have been poisoned. – Instances where wardens and officials have allegedly falsified documents, made up false allegations to cover-up their wrongdoings, leaving inmates with no other choice but to accept the punishment that they are given. In his previous statement announcing his hunger strike, CMurder’s reps said that in March of 2017, guards placed the rapper in handcuffs for nearly 24 hours in “the hole.” His hands were so swollen, the handcuffs had to be cut off his arms. According to CMurder, he is very active inside of Angola Prison as he serves out his life sentence. In addition to playing on every sports team the correctional facility offers, CMurder attends church every Friday, is an avid reader, and also takes care of another quadriplegic inmate named Kentrell Parker. CMurder says he was enrolled in trade school at the time officers locked him up three weeks ago on contraband charges, which he has denied. The rapper said he realizes there is a debate over his trial, and whether or not he is guilty or innocent. But, he says any abuse of the inmates is intolerable under any circumstance. “I am constantly in danger for standing up and speaking against such a large and powerful enemy,” CMurder told AllHipHop.com. “God is on our side. I pray daily. Please thank all of our supporters for this unjust case. The battle is just beginning.” Earlier in the week, No Limit founder Master P and Silkk The Shocker weighed in on their brother’s challenges. https://www.instagram.com/p/Be41WDPlJ91/?hl=en “Somebody has confessed and they even have footage, that they don’t want to put in the case. My brother is no angel and has done a lot of dumb stuff like most,” Master P said. “But I love him and I will fight for him to bring awareness to this injustice. You can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends. When it gets real we all we got.” https://www.instagram.com/p/BeyhsURhQxn/?hl=en “Keep him in Prayers. And if you on the fence. Know that he is 100 percent innocent. Not that it’s my brother but it’s facts,” Silkk The Shocker added. “This system and correctional system in Lousiana is unlike anything u ever seen. When you at least try to be human they want to break you. Will give more details later. But really just a prayer and stay woke.”

(AllHipHop Features) Incarcerated rapper CMurder is among the inmates embarking on a hunger strike at Angola Prison. According to his Publicist Tammy “Ty” Page, CMurder, born Corey Miller, is using his platform as a well-known rapper to voice the dire conditions going on at Angola. CMurder is serving a life sentence for the 2002 murder of a 16-year-old named Steven Thomas, inside of a Jefferson Parish nightclub. In 2009 CMurder was sentenced to life in jail, after winning multiple appeals, when it was revealed that prosecutors bribed witnesses for favorable testimony. The case went all the way to Louisiana’s Supreme Court, which upheld the conviction, automatically triggering a life sentence in Angola Prison for CMurder. CMurder’s hunger strike is in protest of Angola Prison, Assistant Warden Barrett Boeker, Warden Darrel Vannoy, The Department of Corrections and James LeBlanc The Secretary of DOC. “Although, the actual person that fired the gun that night sits in a prison in Georgia and has signed an affidavit with an audio confessing to a separate attorney whom knew nothing of Miller’s case, stating that he, not Miller, is the one that is responsible for the killing and is not associated with Miller,” C-Murder’s publicist Tammy “Ty” Page told AllHipHop.com. CMurder and other inmates have a long list of complaints against Angola prison officials, who he claims are railroading his release, by preventing him from seeing friends, family, and his attorney. The rapper claims his Constitutional rights are regularly violated and that physical abuse has been going on for several years inside the prison as well. CMurder said visitors, including men, women, elderly and kids as young as eight are harassed and some are even subjected to strip searches. “This has caused an immense amount of frustration and anger due to the fact that there are guards up there that have open pending charges against them for sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, and physical abuse,” Tammy “Ty” Page explained. The rapper said he’s being targeted by Angola’s Assistant Warden Barrett Boeker. Boeker was arrested in December of 2016 for second-degree rape at his home on the prison grounds, yet he still holds a high ranking position at Angola. Miller believes Assistant Warden Barrett Boeker has been retaliating against him over a racial discrimination complaint he filed against this very same warden. And just earlier this week, a former major at Angola was found guilty of conspiring to cover up the beating of a handcuffed and shackled prisoner. https://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2018/01/former_major_at_angola_prison.html The rapper’s publicist said the same abuse happened to CMurder. “In March 2017, my client was placed in handcuffs for nearly 24 hours in the hole,” Tammy “Ty” Page said. “His hands were so swollen that they had to cut the handcuffs off of him nearing amputation.” CMurder claims the inmates are on the hunger strike because they are being denied proper healthcare, while being treated inhumanely. CMurder also made the shocking claim that guards are covering up murders at the hands of guards and listing them as suicides. Miller’s publicist Tammy “Ty” Page said she believes that speaking out will cause more retaliation to her client. But Page said this could shed light on the conditions at Angola and possibly help other inmates that do not have a stage to speak out for fear of reprisal. “I have also reached out to a Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump and Jarrett Adams, another attorney very familiar with prison conditions,” Page said. “At this point, I fear my client’s safety and well-being during this hunger strike, but something has to be done.” Check out the letter CMurder’s sent to AllHipHop.com from jury member Geralneigh Bazile, who maintains she was harassed by other jurors for her “not guilty” vote. And listen to CMurder’s statement in audio about his hunger strike right here.

New England Patriots’ former tight end Martellus Bennett is more than just a Super Bowl champion. Bennett, who won a coveted Super Bowl ring with The Patriots last season, is an accomplished illustrator and musician. Off the field, he’s the “Creative Director of Awesomeness” for The Imagination Agency and Martellus has used his artwork to share his perspective surrounding the NFL player protest movement. He’s also the author of two upcoming books “Hey A.J., It’s Bedtime” and “Dear Black Boy.” In addition to winning Super Bowl rings and writing books, Martellus Bennett is also an accomplished musician and budding rapper. Bennett just dropped his latest mixtape, “Polka Dots: The Mixtape,” with help from rap legend Snoop Dogg on the track “Take A Flight.” “Marty” wrote all 9 songs on “Polka Dots,” which is the follow up to his sixth album, ironically titled “I’m Not a Rapper But Some of My Friends Are.” AllHipHop.com’s grouchygreg Greg caught up with Martellus Bennett aka “MartysarusRex,” to get a little more info on how he linked with Snoop Dogg, his latest mixtape and his musical ambitions just before his former New England teammates take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 52. grouchygreg Greg: How did you link with Snoop? Martellus Bennett: I was in L.A. doing some press and I dropped by to do Snoop’s YouTube show GGN Network and whole the crew was giving me a tour. They were like “Snoop is actually in the studio right now, do you wanna go back there?” And of course, I was like “yeah,” walked in and he was working on some music. When he stopped for a quick break, I was like “we should do a song together.” He kind of laughed it off like “hahaha you funny,” and “I was like nah I’m serious bruh.” He was like “you rap?” I said, “yeah man I got a few bars.” He said “let’s do it then” and we went thru a few beats, picked one, I pulled out my pen and notebook, and [the single] “Take A Flight” was born. grouchygreg Greg: What was it like recording with Snoop? “Working with Snoop was easy. He’s a great dude. I was a little nervous because he rapped first and it was smooth as f##k.” Martellus Bennett: Like butter melting on the instrumental. After he rapped I threw out my first verse and wrote what you hear now. He was dope to work with, I think he was pleasantly surprised, because he came in the booth when I was struggling with my wordplay in one section and said “You got this, you got bars. Which is very true. I do have bars!”​ ​grouchygreg Greg: How long have you been rapping and releasing music? Martellus Bennett: This is my seventh musical project. I’ll release two or three more this year. I grew up in band playing different instruments and stuff and I’ve always rapped as long as I can remember. grouchygreg Greg: What makes you different than the other athletes who have dropped mixtapes? Martellus Bennett: I don’t know. I don’t consider myself a rapper, I just try to express myself and my creativity in as mediums as possible. This is just me creating. Take a listen to Martellus Bennett’s new mixtape “Polka Dots: The Mixtape” below.