Meek Mill Asks Judge To Remove Him From Wrongful Death Lawsuit

BY Erika Marie 8.6K Views
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Meek Mill
The rapper is being sued by the estate of a man who died in a shooting outside of Meek's concert.

In 2016, Jaquan Graves and Travis Ward lost their lives outside of Meek Mill concert in Connecticut during a shooting. The following year, Graves' family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Meek, the Oakdale Musical Theatre Company, and Live Nation citing that their negligence with providing adequate security was responsible for his death. However, as the investigation has carried on, more information has been made available, resulting in the rapper asking a judge to remove his name from the lawsuit.

Court documents obtained by The Blast state that Meek denies any wrongdoing in the case, citing that evidence collected by investigating officers shows that Graves participated in the shooting. Graves' family has gone on record saying that he was “unarmed and did not contribute to, incite or in any fashion participate in the melee.” Yet, Meek alleges the police reports state Graves was either the instigator in the shooting or at the very least, a participant, as gunshot residue was reportedly found on him “which indicate that he discharged a firearm during the melee.”

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Meek is requesting that his name is excluded from the court case as soon as possible. He also reportedly says that it isn't fair for him to be held responsible for the actions of third parties, including two men who cops apprehended. This lawsuit is just one of three Meek was included in following the fatal incident, including one that claims the rapper's lyrics incite violence. Graves' estate says that they will settle out of court for $3 million.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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