Tekashi 6ix9ine‘s co-defendant Kintea “Kooda B” McKenzie was granted a temporary release from New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center over coronavirus concerns. This comes after Tekashi requested release due to fears over the coronavirus, which was denied. Kooda has been awaiting sentencing since pleading guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering in the 6ix9ine case, in connection to shots being fired at Chief Keef outside of the W Hotel in Times Square.
Kooda’s attorney Lisa Scolari asked Judge Paul A. Engelmayer last week to grant McKenzie the same $300,000 bond he was initially released on last year because he’s in a high-risk category for contracting the coronavirus due to his asthma. Scolari added that McKenzie used his albuterol inhaler at least once a month due to “shortness of breath,” and she also pointed out the poor conditions across New York City jails, including “shortages of soap and disinfectants.”
The government opposed Kooda B’s request on Monday (March 30), stating that his “reliance on the current health crisis to secure his release—post-conviction and less than three months from sentencing—is unfounded and should be denied.” However, Judge Engelmayer granted the request, stating that at least four inmates at the jail where Kooda is incarcerated have contracted coronavirus. The judge added that “the MCC (Metropolitan Correctional Center) has identified [Kooda B] as ‘high risk’ with respect to COVID-19.”
Source: Complex
