Veteran rapper Slick Rick has received a full pardon from New York Governor David A. Paterson for attempted murder and gun charges dating from 1990.
Famed for his outlandish appearance - wearing an eye patch over his right eye after being blinded as a child, as well as chunky gold jewellery and a gold tooth - and his in-your-face rapping style, the hip-hop star was given his freedom back this week for showing exemplary behaviour after his release from jail.
Rick, real name Ricky Walters, served six years in jai for the non-fatal shooting of his cousin, who had reportedly threatened to have him killed, and a bystander and was convicted for attempted murder. However he turned his life around after release in 1996, living peacefully in the Bronx while volunteering to help council youths away from violence.
The pardon is expected to halt efforts to deport Walters to the United Kingdom, the country of his birth.
