Fugees Star Pras Michel Petitions Donald Trump for Pardon While Fighting Prison Time
Fugees member Pras Michel is making a bold last minute move to avoid a long stretch behind bars.
Media Take Out has learned that Pras has formally petitioned former President Donald Trump for a presidential pardon after being convicted of helping evade federal law. The conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 14 years in prison.
Pras is now the latest African American hip hop figure to seek relief from Trump, who has a well documented history of granting pardons to celebrities and high profile Black defendants, particularly those willing to publicly align themselves with him.
Trump Pardon Possible, But Loyalty Often Comes First
While it is not yet clear whether Trump will accept Pras’s petition, political insiders say history suggests the odds improve significantly if loyalty is pledged. Trump has repeatedly shown a willingness to grant pardons in cases that bring public attention, cultural relevance, and personal allegiance.
That said, no pardon has been announced, and Pras remains legally vulnerable.
Pras Fighting to Stay Free During Appeal
In the meantime, Pras Michel is aggressively fighting to remain out of prison while he appeals his conviction.
His legal team has filed a motion asking a federal judge to grant bail pending appeal, arguing that the case against him is deeply flawed and that he poses no flight risk and no danger to the public.
According to the filing, Pras’s conviction is far from secure.
Lawyers Say Trial Was “Deeply Tainted”
Pras’s attorneys argue that the trial was riddled with serious legal errors that unfairly influenced the jury.
One of their biggest claims is that jurors were repeatedly exposed to opinions from law enforcement that directly suggested Pras was guilty, something they describe as unprecedented in a criminal trial.
Defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg specifically criticized testimony from FBI Agent Heuchling, who allegedly went beyond facts and offered conclusions about Pras’s guilt.
“Rather than testify about the subject matter of the FBI’s investigation, Agent Heuchling testified about his conclusions after reviewing all of the evidence,” Zeidenberg argued. He also said the agent improperly commented on the strength of the evidence and relied on hearsay, including claims about tracing funds to entities linked to Michel.
Jury Allegedly Told Judges Believed Pras Was Guilty
Even more troubling, according to the defense, is that jurors were allowed to learn that a separate federal judge had previously found probable cause that Pras committed crimes.
Pras’s team says the trial judge then reinforced that perception by repeatedly referring to him as a “co conspirator” in front of the jury, effectively labeling him guilty before deliberations even began.
The defense argues this poisoned the jury and stripped Pras of a fair trial.
What Happens Next
The judge has not yet ruled on Pras’s request for bail pending appeal. If denied, Pras could be ordered to begin serving his sentence while the appeal plays out.
At the same time, the Trump pardon petition remains in limbo.
For now, Pras Michel is fighting on two fronts. One in federal court. The other in the court of political favor.
And his freedom may ultimately depend on which one moves first.