Mutulu Shakur Hopes for an Earlier Release in Atlanta

In early February 2005, Dr. Mutulu Shakur faced the question of when he could be released on parole. Tupac’s stepfather was incarcerated in the federal prison in Atlanta. He had been arrested in February 1986 and sentenced to 60 years in prison. The prosecution had accused him of, among other things, conspiracy to commit bank robberies and aiding in the escape of Assata Shakur. He himself always denied the allegations.

Support from Atlanta

AllHipHop reported on February 7 on the upcoming hearing. The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in Atlanta called on its supporters to support Shakur and praised his earlier work in drug rehabilitation. AllHipHop noted that Mutulu was not Tupac’s biological father, but both openly considered each other father and son.

A Partial Success

According to his attorney Teri Thompson, the hearing took place on February 8, 2005. Her side argued that the parole commission should have applied the 1996 decision retroactively. According to her account, the hearing examiner agreed and intended to recommend this to the commission. Shakur could then be considered for release as early as 2011 instead of 2017. The letter did not yet state a decision by the commission.