Toronto Rapper Hassan Ali Released After Judge Dismisses Social Media Evidence in Murder Case

A Toronto rapper, Hassan Ali, known in the music world as “Top5,” has been released after a judge dismissed social media evidence related to a murder case against him. Ali was initially arrested in Los Angeles in 2021 in connection with the fatal shooting of Hashim Omar Hashi.

Superior Court Justice Andras Schreck decided to release Ali on Monday, citing that some elements presented were inadmissible. “I can go?” Ali reportedly asked, smiling at the decision. This development followed the Crown’s decision to stay charges initially filed against Ali.

Hashi, a university student, was tragically killed while driving into the underground garage of an apartment building at 40 Falstaff Avenue in Toronto. According to police, Hashi had no connection to criminal activities.

Hassan Ali was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and failing to comply with probation after his arrest. However, charges were later upgraded to first-degree murder. Documents from an American extradition hearing implicated Ali as a member of the “Go Getem Gang,” reputedly involved in a botched retaliatory attack for the murder of Said Ali in 2017.

Defense attorney Gary Grill emphasized that the evidence against Ali, primarily based on his musical outputs, was weak. “It was entirely circumstantial,” Grill stated outside the courthouse, adding that Ali was alleged to be “merely a passenger” in a car involved in the shooting. The Crown’s case purportedly relied heavily on Ali’s lyrics and persona in the drill rap scene.

The prosecution intended to use Ali’s music videos and social media as evidence of his supposed gang affiliation. However, Justice Schreck ruled that these connections were tenuous at best, noting no evidence that Ali had intent to harm innocents in the area.

Ali, who has maintained his innocence, expressed gratitude to his lawyer and international rap star, Drake, for financial support in legal fees. Following his release, Ali pledged to work towards community unity and non-violence.