Pop Smoke's Mom Reacts After His Murder Suspect Reaches Plea Deal—'That's Unfair'

Pop Smoke's murder suspect, Corey Walker, has accepted a plea deal from prosecutors, bringing an end to almost five years of prosecution, but the late rapper's mom remains heartbroken.

The plea deal will see Walker serve 29 years in jail, with his sentencing hearing slated for February 21, 2025.

Pop Smoke, real name Bashar Barakah Jackson, died on February 19, 2020, after hooded persons broke into the apartment he was staying in and shot him after an altercation.

On Wednesday, Corey Walker, 24, the only adult charged with Pop Smoke's murder, reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Walker was accused of leading three juveniles to the rented Airbnb apartment the rapper was staying in on the morning of the shooting.

Walker pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery with gun and gang enhancements and will be sentenced on February 21. He is expected to serve a 29-year jail term after his plea deal.

According to Rolling Stone, prosecutors dropped a murder charge under the plea deal and added a new voluntary manslaughter charge on Wednesday. The newly added charge cites aggravating factors, including premeditation and extreme cruelty.

Walker also pleaded guilty to the related robbery of a woman present in the apartment.

Prosecutors stated that the manslaughter and robbery convictions each come with an extra two-year sentence, which will run alongside the 29-year term.

The plea deal prevented a jury trial that was set to begin this week in downtown Los Angeles.

The prosecutors also said Walker and his crew targeted Pop Smoke, 20, after he flaunted cash, a thick gold chain, and a diamond-encrusted watch on social media the day before.

The group tracked down the rental home after the deceased Brooklyn rapper accidentally posted a photo showing an address on a gift bag label.

Nancy Dillon, a senior reporter at Rolling Stone, shared a post on X, revealing her conversation with Pop Smoke's mom, Audrey Jackson.

Although Audrey was grateful for the murder case's resolution, she still expressed sadness that her son was no more.

Audrey said, "It's over for everybody except me. This never ends for me. And that's unfair."

She added, "I appreciate they got justice to the fullest extent of the law. But my life doesn't change. I still don't have my son. I will continue to work on his legacy, but that's also a reminder that he's not here."

Audrey doesn't plan to attend Walker's sentencing hearing as she is organizing a gala that night to celebrate Pop Smoke's life.

She shared, "I have not been holding animosity. I've just been getting through this. There's just nothing to say [at Walker's sentencing]. Everybody's life has been ruined."

Before reaching a plea deal, Walker, who was 19 when the crime was committed, was initially charged with murder, robbery, and burglary and faced a life sentence without parole if convicted.

After his arrest in July 2020, prosecutors said he could face the death penalty, but later policies prevented this.

Three juveniles were also charged, including the 15-year-old shooter, who admitted to killing Pop Smoke during the home invasion. He received 50 years to life but can only be held until age 25 under California law.

Meanwhile, the other two juveniles, ages 16 and 17 at the time of the crime, admitted to lesser charges and were placed in juvenile detention facilities, per reports.

There continues to be widespread sadness about Pop Smoke's death, as he was one of the fastest-rising rappers before his death.

He had many hit songs to his name, including the popular "Dior," so his death broke many hearts, with those feelings worsened after it was discovered that teenagers were behind his murder.

Several fans have reacted to Walker's plea deal and expected sentencing under The Shade Room's post about it on Instagram.

One fan wrote, "Took away one of the best upcoming rappers ... Pop Smoke was definitely on his way to the top."

Another fan added, "Hope that 29 years is miserable for him."

A third person shared, "Should've been 92 years but ima mind my business. RIP Pop Smoke."