Those convictions stem from a 1990 incident in which Walters shot (but did not mortally wound) his cousin and a bystander outside a club. Walters alleged that his cousin had conspired to have him killed, but the rapper ended up serving more than five years in prison for the crimes. He was released on parole in 1997, and has reportedly been on his best behavior ever since. So, why the pardon now?
Well, though Walters finished serving his time over a decade ago, he's been embroiled in a fierce deportation battle for years now. Because he was born in the UK and lived there until age 11, Walters is technically a lawful resident alien, and thus subject to deportation under a federal statute pertaining to felons and weapon offenders.
While Governor Patterson's pardon won't save Walters from deportation by itself, it will allow him to apply for something called "discretionary relief," which would permit him to remain in the U.S. with his wife and two teenage children. The official pardon statement from the governor does a good job summing up the convoluted legal circumstances. As for us, we're much better at typing up tour dates; you'll find a few of Slick Rick's-- assuming they let the guy stick around-- below. [MORE...]
