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Tupac Shakur’s stepdad Mutulu a free man after over 35 years in prison, but has just a few months to live

The parole commission said Mutulu Shakur, who has cancer and was told he has just six months to live in May, was now incapable of committing any crimes

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY: Mutulu Shakur, the late Tupac Shakur's stepfather, has been granted a compassionate release from prison from the Federal Medical Center in Lexington on December 16 after nearly 36 years. Mutulu, 72, is presently suffering from bone marrow cancer and is said to have only a few months left to live. He will spend his final days surrounded by his family in Southern California. 

After previously denying his request for release, the US Parole Commission reportedly granted his plea for discharge due to his excellent prison record and its belief that he was not a danger to society on Thursday, November 10. "We now find your medical condition renders you so infirm of mind and body that you are no longer physically capable of committing any Federal, State, or local crime," said the commission during a hearing in October, as reported by Yahoo! News. 

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"We are relieved that the Parole Commission now recognizes what has long been true — that Dr Shakur’s release poses no risk whatsoever. It is tragic that it took until he was on the verge of death for that truth to finally be realized," said Brad Thomson, Shakur’s attorney in response. "Mutulu will now be able to live out his final days, surrounded by the love and care of his family and close friends," he added.

According to NBC, Shakur is dealing with several health issues which include Stage-3 multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects the bones and kidneys. "There are a lot of tears of joy. There’s still disbelief because we were steadying ourselves for another denial. Now folks are excited about being able to reunite Mutulu with his family. We were crying together. It’s a long time overdue," said Jomo Muhammad, an organizer with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, who has been working for Shakur without any cost. 

Shakur, who was an activist and a former member of the Black Liberation Army, was sentenced to 60 years in prison after being convicted of racketeering conspiracy charges in connection to the 1981 robbery of an armored Brinks truck that led to the death of two police officers and one guard. The medical center gave Shakur six months to live in May. He first requested parole in 2016 which was denied. In April too his plea was dismissed, according to Economic Times.