Crayshaun Bates, a teenage rapper who goes by the rap name Lil Cray, was allowed to shoot a music video inside a Cleveland courtroom even though he is facing dozens of serious charges, including attempted murder and criminal gang activity.
Lil Cray, 19, shot part of the music video for his song “Indictment” at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center last month while he was out of jail on house arrest. The 19-year-old is currently facing multiple charges including criminal gang activity, attempted murder, and possession of weapons.
The judge in the case, Judge Michael Ryan told Fox 8 he opened his courtroom after-hours for an old friend who is also a music producer however, he claims he did not find out until the day of the shoot that the video involved Lil Cray. He said he was aware of Bates’ pending charges.
“Last time I checked the Constitution, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I’m always about helping young people especially when I see that they have promise. They have talent.”
Bates was arrested at his home January 6 and was jailed on Tuesday after he was found to have violated the terms of his $150,000 bond on criminal gang and attempted murder charges.
Under the terms of his bond, Bates was supposed to be home by 11:00 P.M. Cray called probationary emergency line around 11:10 P.M to inform authorities he had a flat tire and needed to stop at a gas station on the way home from a recording studio. He was given permission to stop, but Bates’ ankle monitor picked up that he stopped at a liquor store before returning home. Police found him drunk in the basement of his home with friends and subsequently arrested him for violating his bond.
As for the music video, Fox 8 requested to see what was captured of that performance by security cameras but the county said no. According to the report, a spokesperson pointed to a legal argument claiming the release of any security video from inside the juvenile justice center would be a security risk.
Only in Cleveland.
