Forced
to sell drugs by the police, survived a shoot-out with the NYPD
and now incarcerated
His name is now Adam Abdul
Hakim, but he was born Larry Davis. Back in 1986 he was 19 years
old and the subject of one of the largest manhunts in New York
State history after he shot 6 police officers when they came
to his home to "arrest" him for drug-related offenses.
In hindsight this "arrest"
attempt was likely a planned execution by members of the NYC Police
Department. Davis took on approximately 30 fully-armed cops and
won the night they tried to apprehend him and later in a courtroom.
After 3 weeks on the run Davis negotiated his surrender to the
FBI before under the provision that the NYPD undergo a thorough
investigation by Federal Agents for drug trafficking and related
crimes. As a result The Mollen Commission was formed and the claim's
of Davis who had been selling drugs for members of the NYPD since
the age of 16, were proven valid. This official investigation
into the abuse and corruption taking place vindicated Davis of
all attempted murder charges stemming from that memorable night
and his shootout with police, and instead found rampant corruption
in the New York City Police Department. Cleared of all wrongdoing
in his confrontation with police Davis still had to attend trial
on a murder charge involving another drug dealer, a charge of
which Davis maintains he is innocent. After several hung juries
and failed attempts to prosecute, the prosecution was able to
secure a guilty verdict on this final murder charge.
His story has become the stuff
of urban folklore. In rap music his name has been tossed around
by Hip-hop artist for the last 20 years including, Kool G. Rap,
A.G., D.J. Kay Slay, Young Buck, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, and 50-Cent
to name a few. KRS best immortalized him in a song called "30
Cops of More" where he raps “but when them come to
arrest a Black man, they need 30 cops or more". You have
heard his story even if you don’t remember it and once you
hear his story you will never forget it. Larry Davis was a young
aspiring music producer turned police-backed drug dealer, who
became a unforgettable part of history on November 19th (actual
date) 1986. November 19th marked the 20 year Anniversary of the
NYPD's attempt on his life after he refused to sell drugs for
them anymore.
Adam Abdul Hakim a.k.a. Larry Davis, Still Wanted Dead or Alive
Not Guilty 16 times but in jail for 20 years on trumped up charges
Playahata.com: We hear
that Damon Dash has partnered with Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal
to produce a movie based on your life, what’s the deal,
when will it hit theatres?
Larry Davis:
Nothing has happened. I haven’t signed anything on the film
yet. I spoke with Dash, Deniro and others. I know Dash is saying
we have a deal but things are still evolving. I had been in contact
with lots of people. Had contact with Wesley Snipes to have his
company shoot the film before he went to Africa to shoot his latest
project but I am still seeing what I am going to do. I been in
contact with a number of people and several people have some involvement
like Terrence Howard possibly 50-Cent to play me. I have had people
come at me with clothing deals, book, video games, etc cause they
see it as a chance to capitalize off the story but I have a problem
with that if I am not going to be able to capitalize. I prefer
to have my story be heard but I also need to control my story
to enlighten people about what goes on.
Playahata.com: Are you
aware that there are at least two films that are loosely based
on your life?
Davis:
Yes to my knowledge the Lawrence Fishburne film, Precinct 13th
and Nightfall in Manhattan but even outside of that. Portions
of my life have been shown in other films like Sugar hill and
New Jack City cause what happened was that a friend of mine who
was writing for the Village Voice at the time, named Michael Barry
Cooper he produced those films. He wrote several Village Voice
articles on me at that time he also wanted to do a film about
me, I told him no but I gave him a few things from my life to
interject that make for good film but only snippets. Only I know
my whole story.
Playahata.com: Are you
aware of the extent to which rappers drop your name?
Rappers love using your name in there rhymes.
Davis:
It’s an honor to be named like that. It doesn’t
bother me at all. It’s a positive thing. I appreciate the
shout outs and being named like this, I was in opposition to a
corrupt system and did what I had to do. So a lot of people respect
that.
Playahata.com:
Many artist are only highlighting or glamorizing your drug dealing
in their lyrics,
do you think that message can be counterproductive?
Davis:
My message is for young people to stay away from drugs. My situation
is much different. I sold drugs cause I was forced into it. Selling
drugs is not cool. My supporters and the people I work with are
anti-drug . That is why the idea of 50-Cent playing me in a film
would not sit well with my supporters and one of the reasons we
are not going to go that route. My message is stay focused you
don’t want to end up behind these walls, adopt a philosophy
that says "I am my brothers keeper".
Playahata.com: Most people
are admirers of you. But sometimes they can tell stories which
paint you in a different light. Rapper, D-Nice formerly of Boogie
Down Production says in his online journal that you were going
to kill him over your stolen chain. In short he said he had brought
a chain of yours from your cousin, who had stolen it from you.
You found out came to his door and gave him 15 minutes to produce
the chain but he had paid for it and was not willing to give it
up, the only thing that saved him was when his cousin Vanessa,
ran into you while you were walking back to your house, presumably
to get a piece. You informed her that if he didn't return the
jewelry, you were going to kill him, so she went in and got it
back from him to give to you, ending the problem.
Davis:
Yeah, he said that. I know D –Nice, that was my lil'boy
but I don’t know anything about the validity of that story.
I know his cousin Vanessa also. That story is funny to me but
I would have never got a gun and killed him over that. Laughing,
nah I don’t know anything about that. I was not like that.
Playahata.com:
What triggered your conversion to Islam?
Davis:
I had been dabbling back and forth in the religion for a long
time. I was always aware of Islam and studying back and forth
before I converted.
Playahata.com:
Most people I talk to view you as a political prisoner,
although you were not initially jailed due to your political beliefs,
do you consider yourself a political prisoner?
Davis:
Yes, but each person can make up his mind about that. My case
was political, my acquittals were political, my supporters are
political, the judge referred to me as such when they convicted
me for a crime, I did not commit. I can’t tell people how
to feel but I stand as a political prisoner. I represent change.
Playahata.com:
Speaking of political prisoners Mumia Abu-Jamal always has so
much information especially for a man incarcerated, you also seem
quite current how do you get your info?
Davis:
Well Mumia is exceptional when it comes to getting information
out to people and he is a heroic innocent man. I am sure he reads
as much as possible but Mumia should be free but just as in my
case when they accuse you of harming one of them it's their policy
to try to keep you down.
Playahata.com:
Keeping in line with you guys knowledge of what’s happening
on the outside while incarcerated,
are you aware that one of your former lawyers, Lynne Stewart,
was found guilty of a conspiracy charge in representing "The
Blind Sheik" from the 93 World Trade Center bombing?
Davis:
I am certain Lynn would not be guilty of that, it sounds like
payback for her representing so many unpopular and controversial
cases like mine and other Black males. She is very intelligent
and moral, they might have convicted her but I am sure that is
a setup. I am certain that the state has targeted her.
The Larry Davis StoryPlayahata.com:
In the Troy Reed Documentary, The Larry Davis Story (most of the
DVD can be seen on youtube.com, type in "Larry Davis Story",
full DVD will require purchase) we see that you were often attacked
by police in prison and beaten badly. Newspaper and TV often showed
you in a wheel chair, how is your health status?
Davis:
My health is great after the surgeries, I am doing fine. The harassment
has not stopped.
Playahata.com: After
20 years?
Davis:
I beat everything the police threw at me, everything against them
I was acquitted of, they don’t like that. I am in here after
a few hung juries cause the law enforcement officials conspired
to taint the jury pool with law enforcement officials and their
families. Attributing the murder of a guy who like me was on police
payroll and went to tell internal affairs about dirty cops cause
he did not want to sell drugs for the NYPD anymore.
Playahata.com: When do you come
out?
Davis:
If I win my appeal as soon as it goes through but if
not 2016 and since Senator David Patterson is Lieutenant Governor
now, I stand a better chance because he had long called for an
investigation into the case and he can ask Eliot Spitzer to grant
me clemency.
Playahata.com: How can
people reach you and support you?
Davis: They can write to me,
contact my support network and visit my websites www.freelarrydavis.com
or www.nycldentertainment.com.
Write to: Larry Davis ID88T2550 SHAWANGUNK Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 700 Wallkill, NY 12589 Contact offices numbers 718-329-6869
and 407-291-8427
Interview from www.playahata.com
Larry Davis
died on 20/02/2008. He was killed by a prison inmate. Rest
In Peace |
