Pras Michel Fights to Stay Free During Appeal, Claims | SDWJR | TBA News Fugees rapper and convicted felon Pras Michel is making a last-ditch legal effort to avoid prison while he appeals his guilty verdict. Michel was sentenced in October to 14 years in prison for charges including conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal foreign lobbying. Now, his legal team is arguing that a cascade of errors deprived him of a fair trial. The Core Argument: "Improper Jury Influence" In a motion for bail pending appeal filed Friday, Michel's lawyers contend that the trial was fundamentally flawed. They assert the appeal "presents substantial questions" about "egregious" errors that improperly swayed the jury. The filing highlights two primary concerns: Judicial Commentary: The lawyers claim the trial judge referred to Michel as "guilty" and a "co-conspirator" in front of the jury on at least eight occasions, which they argue prematurely prejudiced the panel. Prosecution Testimony: They single out FBI Agent Robert Heuchling, alleging he provided "improper overview testimony" and explicitly opined on Michel's guilt 25 times, which they call the "most egregious example" of undue influence. A Defiant Stance Michel's camp is not mincing words. His spokesperson, Erica Dumas, stated bluntly, "This wasn’t a fair trial. This was a coronation of guilt." They express confidence that the appeals court will recognize an "unprecedented trial" that allegedly violated Michel's constitutional right to an impartial jury. What’s Next? The motion, obtained by Rolling Stone, seeks to allow Michel to remain free while the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reviews the case. The government will have a chance to respond, and a judge will decide whether the arguments raised are substantial enough to warrant delaying his prison sentence. For now, the Fugees star continues to fight his conviction from outside a cell. #PrasMichel #Fugees #LegalAppeal #JusticeSystem #FairTrial #MoneyL