Family of Pop Smoke Murder Suspect Hopes To Speak With Slain Rapper’s Parents

According to the Daily News, family members of the adult suspect facing trial for the murder of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke are hoping to set up a private time to talk with the rapper’s parents.

Corey Walker, 20, is the sole adult defendant out of four facing murder charges connected with the slain rapper’s death, who was fatally shot during a home-invasion robbery at a rented Hollywood Hills home early last year.

He is represented by defense attorney Christopher Darden, who told the outlet that Walker’s relatives want to speak with Pop Smoke’s family directly, with hopes of conveying their deepest respects and heartbreak over the tragedy.

“The Walker family has asked me to contact the victim’s family so that they might speak privately. I hope to reach out to the family soon,” Darden said.

The rapper’s mother—a teacher with the New York City Department of Education—said she wasn’t sure she was open to the meeting.
“This is new information to me. I’ll have to learn more,” Audrey Jackson told The News. “I’m working on a lesson plan right now. That is my focus. I really can’t say.”

Darden acknowledged “how uncomfortable such a conversation might be” for Pop Smoke’s parents.

“They might need time,” he said. “I will also understand if (his mom) is not inclined to have that conversation. Everything we have done and said has been done and said while keeping in mind the great respect we have for the victim and the victim’s family,” Darden added.

Last month a judge said there was enough evidence to warrant a trial against Walker last month during a preliminary hearing. His arraignment was postponed until July 6 to give his attorney time to get copies of transcripts and a formal declaration that prosecutors will not seek the death penalty.

According to prosecutors, Walker scouted the rapper’s house just before the robbery occurred. He knew that his minor co-defendants intended to rob Pop Smoke at gunpoint to steal the flashy items he posted on Instagram. Robbers specifically wanted the rapper’s thick gold link chain and diamond-studded Rolex.

Defendants allegedly resold the watch for $2,000, authorities claim.
Darden says his client may have been the driver, but he did not go into the house and apparently told his co-defendants not to shoot anybody.

“My client did not kill anyone. Nor did he conspire to commit murder,” Darden told The News.

“Corey was 18. He did not kill the victim. He did not enter the home. According to the DA’s evidence, the agreement amongst the suspects was that no gun was to be fired. That is in the record,” he said.