Mystikal attempted to reduce his prison sentence, but a twist in the plea deal could potentially result in him receiving a life sentence once more
Mystikal is requesting a Louisiana judge to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea, a decision that could potentially reinstate a life sentence as a possibility.
Michael Lawrence Tyler, known as Mystikal, filed a motion on Friday to withdraw his guilty plea in his 2022 rape case, just days ahead of his scheduled sentencing, according to WBRZ. In the filing, Mystikal states that he “did not have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences” prior to pleading guilty to third-degree rape in March. The motion further states that he was experiencing considerable emotional distress and felt a significant amount of pressure to reach an immediate decision.
On Tuesday, he received a sentence of 20 years. The plea aimed to reduce his exposure. The outlet previously reported that Mystikal entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of third-degree rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. A judge mandated a presentence investigation following the plea in March.
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However, Louisiana law renders his impending withdrawal precarious. Third-degree rape is punishable by a maximum of 25 years of hard labor, with no possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, as outlined in state law. However, the initial accusation of first-degree rape presents a different challenge altogether. Under Louisiana law, first-degree rape carries a penalty of life imprisonment at hard labor, with no possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
That indicates that if a judge permits Mystikal to retract his plea and prosecutors reinstate the original case, the topic of life could once again become part of the discussion.
The allegations from 2022 were serious from the outset. WBRZ previously reported that an acquaintance stated she was at Mystikal’s Prairieville home when he accused her of stealing money. He then allegedly punched her, choked her, pulled braids from her hair, and took her keys and phone to prevent her from leaving. She informed investigators that during her search for the money, she discovered what seemed to be meth. She also claimed that Mystikal subsequently forced her onto a bed and assaulted her before transferring money from her phone to himself.
This case also comes with a significant criminal history that prosecutors and judges are unlikely to overlook. In 2003, Mystikal admitted guilt to charges of sexual battery and extortion related to his former hairstylist. In January 2004, a judge imposed a sentence of six years in prison. He was released in 2010 after completing that sentence, and the conviction mandated that he register as a sex offender, as reported by Billboard.
Subsequently, additional incarceration followed. In 2012, Mystikal was sentenced to return to jail due to a probation violation related to a misdemeanor domestic abuse battery arrest. He completed 81 days of his 90-day sentence.
He also encountered charges of rape and kidnapping in a separate case from 2017 in Shreveport, but those charges were subsequently dismissed.
For an artist with a legal history that encompasses a sex crime conviction, prison time, registration, probation issues, and dismissed rape charges, this motion has the potential to either reset the chessboard or result in significant repercussions.
Now the court must determine if Mystikal’s plea remains valid, or if his effort to retract it will lead him into a significantly tougher battle.
