1994-12-23 / Tupac Surrenders to Bellvue Hospital Prison Ward

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On December 23, 1994, Tupac arrived at Bellevue’s emergency room entrance nine hours early, at 2 A.M., to avoid the expected crush of television cameras outside. Tupac was originally released without bail. Then an appellate court judge ordered him held until he posted the $3 million bond. When Tupac is sentenced on January 17, 1995, he faces a prison term of two-and-one-third to seven years in prison. Upon release, Tupac is held at Rikers Island to await sentancing.

Wounded Rapper Jailed at Bellevue After Failing to Post Bail

Published: December 24, 1994 / NYTimes.com

The rap star Tupac Shakur surrendered to New York City prison officials early yesterday morning and will spend at least the weekend in the prison ward at Bellevue Hospital Center after failing to post $3 million in bail.

On Dec. 1, Mr. Shakur was convicted of sexually abusing a 21-year-old woman. He faced a court-imposed deadline of 11 A.M. yesterday to report to Bellevue for a medical evaluation and to put up a $3 million surety bond as a condition for bail.

He arrived at Bellevue’s emergency room entrance nine hours early, at 2 A.M., to avoid the expected crush of television cameras outside.

Tom Kelly, a spokesman for the New York City Department of Correction, said that even if Mr. Shakur had met the bail requirement, he would have been held until at least next Thursday. Prosecutors had said they intended to exercise their right to invoke a 72-hour holding period beginning on Tuesday to verify the source of payment on Mr. Shakur’s surety bond, which can be purchased for a fraction of its face value.

Mr. Shakur was originally released without bail. Then an appellate court judge ordered him held until he posted the $3 million bond. When Mr. Shakur is sentenced on Jan. 17, he faces a prison term of two-and-one-third to seven years in prison. Mr. Shakur was convicted of three counts of sexual abuse.

Acting Justice Daniel P. Fitzgerald of State Supreme Court, who presided at Mr. Shakur’s trial, said that he would decide after receiving a medical report whether to allow Mr. Shakur to remain in the prison ward or to be transferred to Rikers Island, either to the general prison population or the infirmary.

Mr. Shakur’s lawyer, Michael Warren, said his client needed at least two more weeks of hospitalization to recover from bullet wounds he suffered when he was shot in a robbery as he entered a building near Times Square on Nov. 30.