Corey Walker, the last individual charged in the 2020 murder of rapper Pop Smoke, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery. The plea was entered in a Los Angeles courtroom, where Walker, now 24, agreed to a deal that allows him to avoid a murder conviction in exchange for a lengthy prison sentence of nearly three decades.
The incident that led to these charges occurred during a home invasion robbery at a rental property in the Hollywood Hills, where Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was fatally shot. Walker was identified as the alleged ringleader of a group that included three juveniles at the time of the crime. The rapper was 20 years old when he was killed, an event that shocked the music community and his fans.
According to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, Walker’s plea agreement resulted in the dismissal of a murder charge against him. His attorney, Deion A. Benjamin, stated that evidence suggested Walker did not intend to cause harm to Pop Smoke during the robbery. Benjamin expressed condolences to the victim’s family, emphasizing that the situation was tragic for everyone involved.
Walker is scheduled for sentencing on February 21, where he is expected to receive a 29-year prison term. This plea marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal process surrounding Pop Smoke’s death, which has seen multiple defendants face charges related to the crime.
In previous developments, the first defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery in April 2023, receiving a sentence of four years in a Secure Youth Treatment Facility. Another juvenile defendant admitted to first-degree murder and robbery in May 2023 and is expected to be held in a state juvenile facility until he turns 25. The final defendant settled his case and was sent to a post-conviction juvenile housing facility.
Pop Smoke gained significant recognition in the music industry with his mixtapes "Meet the Woo" and "Meet the Woo 2," which showcased his talent and potential as a rising star. His untimely death has left a lasting impact on fans and fellow artists alike, prompting discussions about violence in the industry and the safety of artists in their personal lives.
As the legal proceedings wrap up, the music community continues to mourn the loss of a promising talent whose life was cut short, while also reflecting on the broader issues of violence and crime that affect many young artists today.