Earlier this week, a jury in Fort Worth deliberated for nearly three hours before sentencing 19-year-old rapper Tay-K to 55 years in prison with a $10,000 fine for his role in the death of 21-year-old Ethan Walker.
But now, Tay-K, born Taymor McIntyre, is reportedly appealing his conviction and sentence, according to reports from The Star-Telegram.
The prosecution presented the music video for Tay-K’s 2017 breakout single “The Race” in court, which they claimed perpetrates violence and shows him brandishing a firearm. They also believe the song detailed his criminal activity.
Richard Walker, the father of the victim, stated, “Every lyric to ‘The Race’ is stained with my son’s blood. Every ‘free Tay-K’ T-shirt that was ever sold has my son’s blood on it.”
The man who shot Walker was sentenced last year to life in prison. Prosecutors say McIntyre was charged with murder because he recruited the triggerman and organized the robbery. He was 16 when the killing occurred but was tried as an adult, according to Billboard.
