Music News
Remy Ma gets hard time, imprisonment for eight years
By M&C Music News
May 14, 2008, 2:55 GMT

Remy Ma is going to the big house for eight years.

The PunishHER rapper was sent to prison today for shooting a woman outside a NYC nightclub, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Ma, aka Remy Smith, burst into tears after the sentence was issued.

In March, a jury convicted her on all counts including assault, weapons possession and attempted coercion, for shooting Makeda Barnes-Joseph in the belly last July in a dispute over $3,000. She faced more than 25 years behind bars.

State Supreme Court Justice Rena Uviller handed down the punishment, Ma's fiancé, hip hopper Papoose, screamed at the victim, who took the stand earlier asking for a harsh sentence.

"Get the f--k off me. F--k y'all. F--k jail," the performer yelled as the hearing ended and bailiffs escorted him out of the Manhattan court. "I don't care. Lock me up. Lock me up. Take me to jail. Arrest me. It's all about money."

We cannot make this up.  Mr. Papoose was caught by Rikers Island corrections officers last week smuggling Remy Ma a handcuff key as the two were to marry in a jailhouse wedding. The wedding was canceled.

Ma addressed the judge and pleaded for mercy, claiming last summer's shooting was purely accidental.

"Throughout this unfortunate case, I was advised from my attorney to stay silent, but now I want you all to see me for me and what I've gone through," the entertainer said. "Reporters and newspapers have called me a 'hard-core rapper,' a 'hip-hop harlot'—Remy Ma is just a music-industry name. A facade. I'm not a thug. I'm not a hard-core anything. I have feelings. I'm Remy Smith—No, I'm Remy Mackie. I'm a wife, mother, daughter and big sister."

"This is a pattern. The previous times haven't been as severe," the judge said. "Smith doesn’t take responsibility for her actions. Her letter to the court and her statement today showed no remorse. She even painted herself as the victim."