A couple of days ago, it was reported that Jay Z signed a two-year TV and movie deal with The Weinstein Company. In a statement, Jay spoke on his mission to "tell stories from real-life prophets," and suggested that there were projects already being worked on. It has now been revealed that Hov's first television production with TWC will focus on the late Kalief Browder, who was held in isolation at Rikers Island for two years without a conviction. He was released in 2013 and took his own life two years later, at age 22.
Hov will produce "a groundbreaking television event series" based on the heartbreaking story of Browder, whose incarceration has provoked outrage and pressure to reform the criminal justice system, especially in New York City. He was first arrested when he was 16 after a man told police that Browder and his friend had stolen a backpack from him two weeks ago. Due to prior charges, Browder was unable to afford his $3,500 bail. Maintaining his innocence, he refused to take a plea deal during his three years of incarceration. The case was eventually dismissed on June 23 after many postponements and 31 hearings.
Less than five months before his suicide, Browder's case inspired Barack Obama to write an op-ed about the tragic effects of America's overuse of solitary confinement.
Jay and Weinstein are prepping an imminent press event in NYC that will reveal more details about the series, which according to FACT, has already been assigned to air on Spike TV.