A VOICE FROM INSIDE CANADA

LAMAR
“AMMO”
SKEETE

Artist. Speaker. Prison Audio creator. Lamar maintains his innocence—and refuses to let a life sentence silence his voice.

Hear Part One ▶Understand the case ↓
#FREELAMARSKEETETHE CASETHE CULTURETHE VOICE
THE POSITION

Lamar says he is innocent. The courts convicted him and dismissed his appeals.

This site documents his voice, the public record, and the questions his case continues to raise.

THE PERSON / 01

More than a
case number.

Lamar grew up in Toronto and has written rap and poetry since childhood. From inside, he continues to create, teach, question, and connect.

“I’m here to inspire resilience in the face of adversity.”

— LAMAR SKEETE · TRANSFORMING JUSTICE, 2025
AMMO / ARTIST NAME

Hip-hop as a whole culture.

For Lamar, “Ammo” is not a character built for a courtroom. It is his name as an MC and a conscious hip-hop artist. His work honours the whole culture: MCing, DJing, breaking, graffiti, and knowledge.

He has released music while incarcerated, spoken with university law students, and joined public conversations about race, evidence, imprisonment, and what creative work can mean behind walls.

THE CASE / 02

When art is
put on trial.

The legal record is real. So are the questions about how rap, race, and assumptions about Black artists can shape a jury’s view.

2009

Kenneth Mark is killed

Mr. Mark was fatally shot in Toronto. We recognize the loss at the centre of this case and the pain carried by his family and community.

2012

Conviction and life sentence

A jury convicted Lamar of first-degree murder. He received life imprisonment with no parole eligibility for 25 years. Lamar maintains his innocence.

2017

Ontario appeal dismissed

The Court of Appeal reconsidered the admission of a lyric recorded in jail and ruled it admissible. The conviction appeal was dismissed.

2019

Supreme Court leave denied

The Supreme Court of Canada granted an extension of time, then dismissed Lamar’s application for leave to appeal.

NOW

The questions remain public

His case is taught in evidence law and discussed as a window into anti-Black stereotypes and the risks of treating artistic expression as autobiography.

Accuracy note: “Innocent” reflects Lamar’s maintained position and this campaign’s advocacy. It is not a finding made by a court. The public court record linked above should be read directly.

PRISON AUDIO / 03

Hear it in
his own voice.

The first Prison Audio conversation traces Lamar’s early life in Toronto, youth detention, music, and the case that changed everything.

EPISODE 02 · IN PRODUCTIONSOON

The conversation continues

Part Two is recorded and awaiting edit. It will appear here as soon as Prison Audio publishes it.

EDIT QUEUE / ACTIVE
LAMAR AMMO SKEETEPIVOTAL
MOMENT7 TRACKS · 2024

THE MUSIC / 04

AMMO is
still creating.

Pivotal Moment is a seven-track, 28-minute release issued in November 2024. The project includes “No More Deaths in Custody,” “Believe,” and “The Hood Health Store.”

His writing treats hip-hop as memory, education, resistance, and a way to stay human inside an institution designed to restrict connection.

Apple Music ↗Amazon Music ↗

PUBLIC VOICE / 05

Across prison walls.
Into classrooms.

Lamar’s case is studied because the questions travel far beyond one courtroom.

QUEEN’S LAW

Evidence students study R. v. Skeete

Professor Lisa Kelly teaches the case in Evidence and has invited Lamar to speak with students about what it means when art enters a criminal trial.

UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA · 2025

A Crime to Rhyme

Lamar joined a virtual panel on race, rap, and the criminal legal system at the 14th Critical Perspectives Conference.

INVITE THE CONVERSATION

Bring a voice from inside to your campus

For law, criminology, hip-hop studies, journalism, and justice programs. Participation remains subject to institutional approval and access.

Contact Prison Audio →

STORY GUIDE / 06

Ask the record.
Then hear the person.

This preview guide answers from verified public sources and Prison Audio’s current episode—not internet rumour. Lamar’s two long-form interview transcripts can later deepen it with his own words and clear citations.

✓ SOURCE-LINKED✓ POSITION LABELLED✓ NO INVENTED FACTS
LAMAR STORY GUIDE
PREVIEW / SOURCED
GUIDE

I’m a source-grounded preview—not Lamar and not a lawyer. What would you like to understand?

Uses a limited, hand-checked knowledge set. Not legal advice. More of Lamar’s own words will be added after transcript review.

CANADIAN PILOT / CSC

One creator can show what access makes possible.

Lamar’s work is a practical case for a secure Canadian path to podcasting, music, education, and public dialogue. Prison Audio wants to build that path collaboratively with Correctional Service Canada—with institutional boundaries designed in from day one.

Build the Canadian pilot →

#FREELAMARSKEETE

Listen first.
Share responsibly.

Keep Lamar’s voice in the conversation. Share the episode, study the record, and return for Part Two.

Play the episode ▶Read the case ↑