Howard Mason
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Howard "Pappy" Mason (born September 8, 1959) is an American drug trafficker and organized crime figure. Mason ran a drug dealing gang called the Bebos[1] in the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood of New York City with his partner Lorenzo "Fat Cat" Nichols. The gang sold drugs and netted as much as $200,000 per week in profit.
Murder of Edward Byrne
From behind bars on gun charges, Mason ordered the murder of police officer Eddie Byrne which led to increased law enforcement attention and his eventual arrest and conviction on various charges. A month after the killing of officer Byrne, Mason was sentenced to seven years in prison on gun charges. The federal government continued to investigate Mason for the Byrne killing. On December 11, 1989 Mason was convicted on federal charges including the murder of officer Byrne . After four years of legal wrangling, including questions of Mason's mental competency he was given a life sentence in 1994. In 1990 his mother was given a ten year prison term for drug trafficking. She was released in 1998. Mason is serving his life sentence at the ADX Florence supermax prison in Florence, Colorado.
Popular culture
Mason was referenced by rapper Nas in his 1994 debut album Illmatic. In the single "The World Is Yours" he rhymes "The mind activation, react like I'm facing time like 'Pappy' Mason with pens I'm embracing."[2]
As well as in his 2002 album God's Son : In the single "Get Down" he rhymes "New York streets where killers'll walk like Pistol Pete And 'Pappy' Mason, gave the young boys admiration."
He is also mentioned in Nas's 2004 album Street's Disciple on the single Just A Moment.
He is also mentioned in 50 cent's "I Don't Need Em" off his highly successful album called The Massacre.
He is referenced directly along with Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff in 50 Cent's Ghetto Qu'ran (Forgive Me).
He is also referenced in Jay-Z & R.Kelly - Best of Both Worlds Album- track 1 - " The combination of Pappy Mason and Larry Davis, Martin and Malcolm this is bigger than the Album."
References
- ^ Buder, Leonard. "Dealer Guilty Of Ordering Officer Killed", New York Times, 1989-12-12. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
- ^ Nas (1994). Illmatic, Track #4) "The World Is Yours " (0:38-0:43); Columbia Records.
- Buder, Leonard (1989-12-12). "Dealer Guilty Of Ordering Officer Killed". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Fried, Joseph P. (1994-01-09). "Drug Dealer Is Sentenced to Life For Ordering Killing of Officer". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
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