Tekashi 6ix9ine‘s plea to the court to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest to reduce his chances of contracting coronavirus has been denied by the judge, but there may be another way that the rapper can be released early. On Monday, we reported that 6ix9ine was fearing for his life behind bars, as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise within the New York prison system. According to his lawyer, Lance Lazarro, the rapper possesses a higher risk of contracting the virus, as he has multiple pre-existing conditions that render him more vulnerable to becoming infected. Last Halloween, 6ix9ine was diagnosed with bronchitis and sinusitis, which ultimately led him to be hospitalized.

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Because of his client’s medical conditions, Lazarro implored Judge Paul Engelmeyer that 6ix9ine, who is set to be released in August, be granted early release from prison under the condition that he serve the remainder of his sentence under house request. In the letter sent to Judge Engelmeyer, Lazarro also noted that 6ix9ine has been experiencing shortness of breath—one of the primary symptoms of coronavirus—and that the prison facility’s doctor had recommended he be treated at a hospital, only for the warden to deny him that freedom.

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Despite Lazarro’s efforts, though, Judge Engelmeyer has denied the request. According to legal documents, the court actually lacks the legal authority to grant the request in the first place. However, while Judge Engelmeyer may not be able to do 6ix9ine any favours, he suggested that Lazarro instead file the request with the Bureau of Prisons. Engelmeyer insisted that, at the time of sentencing, he would have directed that 6ix9ine’s final four months be served in home confinement had he known back then that a global pandemic would ensue to which 6ix9ine’s medical conditions would make him particularly vulnerable. According to TMZ, Lazarro believes that Judge Engelmeyer’s sympathetic response “is a strong recommendation to the Bureau of Prisons to release him immediately,” and thus plans to file the request with the BOP promptly. We’ll keep you updated on the BOP’s decision.

While Tekashi 6ix9ine is set to be released on August 2nd, having served a twenty-four-month prison service, his team is looking to expedite the process in light of the coronavirus pandemic. While many are operating under a strict state self-isolation —though others have chosen to neglect the practice altogether– several cases have already been confirmed within the New York prison system. In light of that, 6ix9ine’s lawyer Lance Lazarro has implored the judge to allow 6ix9ine leniency in serving his remaining sentence under house arrest.

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A letter received by NBC New York reveals the reasoning behind Lazarro’s request, citing a preexisting medical condition that would leave the young rapper susceptible to the virus. On October 31s,t 2019, 6ix9ine was diagnosed with bronchitis and sinusitis, which ultimately led to his hospitalization. To make the situation more complicated, Lazarro reveals that 6ix9ine has been experiencing shortness of breath –one of the main symptoms of coronavirus–only for the warden to dismiss his concerns.

“Mr. Hernandez has been complaining to prison officials this week of shortness of breath, but apparently the warden of his facility will not allow Mr. Hernandez to go to the hospital despite the recommendation of the facility’s medical director that Mr. Hernandez be treated by a doctor at a hospital,” writes Lazarro, in the legal letter to Judge Paul Engelmeyer.

Given that there have already been thirty-nine confirmed cases at Riker’s Island, as well as Harvey Weinstein’s diagnosis at Wende Correctional Facility, it’s clear the virus runs a risk of rampaging through the prison system. What isn’t clear, however, is whether the Judge will indeed show leniency to the rainbow-haired young rapper — even if he does run a higher risk of succumbing to the virus, should he find himself infected.   We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest developments as they occur.