150k For Rap Lyrics

[TACH]

Teen expelled for rap lyrics reaches $60,000 settlement

The Beaver County teen rapper who was expelled from school because of lyrics he posted online has reached a settlement in a related lawsuit he filed against two municipalities.

Anthony Latour and his parents filed a federal lawsuit against police departments in North Sewickley and Franklin townships in June, alleging false arrest and violations to his First Amendment right to free speech.

Yesterday, Anthony's attorney asked for court approval for a $60,000 settlement, with $45,000 coming from the insurer for North Sewickley, and the other $15,000 from Franklin.

Anthony was expelled from the Riverside Beaver County School District in May 2005 after parents of other students complained that his rap lyrics contained threats.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit on Anthony's behalf, and asked for a preliminary injunction to get him back into school. A federal judge granted that motion and ordered Anthony to return in August 2005, ruling that his music did not constitute a "true threat."

Three months later, the school district agreed to pay Anthony a $90,000 settlement to end his suit against them.

Francis Moore, who represented Anthony in his most recent lawsuit, said the Latour family is pleased to finally have the case resolved.

All sides spent a full day with a mediator before reaching agreement, he said.

An attorney for North Sewickley did not return a call seeking comment.

Out of the settlement, Anthony will get $25,000, which will be put into a bank account until he turns 18 in 2009. Mr. Moore said he hopes Anthony uses the money for college.

Anthony, who was led out of his middle school in handcuffs in April 2005, spent time locked up in a juvenile facility when he was first arrested on the matter, and that affected him, Mr. Moore said.

"It was a brief encounter, but it really had long-term effects for him," he said. "This all would have been resolved if they simply would have called the boy in and interviewed him."

Had that happened, Mr. Moore said, school officials would have learned that Anthony's lyrics weren't threats, but are "battle rap," in which artists use harsh verbal exchanges to exhibit their skill.

If Anthony lived in a more urban area, Mr. Moore said, he doesn't believe Anthony would have had any trouble.

The lawsuit against the municipalities also listed as plaintiffs Anthony's parents, John and Denise Latour. They will receive $15,000 of the settlement to recoup the fees they spent on a criminal defense lawyer for their son.

All criminal charges against Anthony were dismissed.

The other $20,000 will pay attorney's fees in the case.

He made more then most 'rapper' witout even having a deal.... Hell, Tupac only got 25k for spitting a track for Little Shawn (who,... exactly)

[20,000]

What exactly were the threatening lyrics?

I can understand why the school would be so cautious with the kid. Did it warrant leading out in handcuffs? Probably not, but with the fear of school shootings, and disgruntled kids posting threats in other places, the school had a right to do something.

By the way, this kid has now been arrested and led out in handcuffs. Does this give him more effin "street cred" than most other rappers out there?
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Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying...'I will try again tomorrow.'

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[20,000]

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[postandpivot]

when overdone Gun talk goes wrong. tisk, tisk. But he was right to sue. stop jumping to conclusions without using your head. dont just run to the police. find out whats going on. the police are still just a phone call away. Dont ever be so afraid that you can't use your head first. imagine being carted off in cuffs for fake gun talk in your battle raps. WOW.

and for the record YES, he does have more street cred then alot of real rappers.