For over a decade, David Yarde, known in the music world as RudeBoi Li, has been serving a prison sentence in Massachusetts for a crime he has long maintained he did not commit. At just 21 years old, David was handed a conviction that stripped him of his freedom, his family life, and the career he was beginning to build. Now, more than 13 years later, evidence and admissions from within the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office itself confirm what David and his supporters have always said: his conviction was unjust and must be remedied.
But this is not just a story of wrongful incarceration—it’s also a story of resilience, creativity, and the unstoppable voice of an artist who refuses to be silenced. Even while behind prison walls, David Yarde has continued to make music, releasing a new single that speaks to both his passion and his perseverance. It is proof that despite a system that has worked against him, his spirit remains unbroken.
A Wrongful Conviction in Suffolk County
David Yarde’s case has come under renewed scrutiny after Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden and Assistant District Attorney Ian McClean publicly acknowledged on record that David has “legitimate issues to be remedied in the appeals court.” This statement alone is a clear admission that his conviction is riddled with problems that cannot be ignored.
Despite this, David remains incarcerated. The DA’s office has dragged its feet on taking action, failing to vacate his wrongful conviction or even to support his motion for bail pending appeal. This delay continues to rob David of his freedom, even as the system tacitly admits his innocence.
A Call to Action: The People Must Speak
David’s case is not just about one man—it’s about a broken justice system that too often refuses to correct its mistakes without outside pressure. That’s why his supporters have launched a national #FreeDavidYardeNow campaign, urging the public to make noise and demand immediate action.
Here’s what we’re calling on Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden and ADA Ian McClean to do:
- Vacate David Yarde’s wrongful conviction outright.
- Or, at the very least, support his motion for bail pending appeal, given their own acknowledgment of issues with his case.
The system must stop delaying justice. David has already spent 13 years behind bars. Every single additional day is another injustice.
The Artist: RudeBoi Li’s Voice Will Not Be Silenced
While many would be broken by such circumstances, David has turned to music as his weapon, his outlet, and his testimony. Under his stage name RudeBoi Li, he has been creating music that blends raw emotion with sharp lyricism, shining a light on both his personal story and the larger struggles of people fighting wrongful convictions.
His latest release, dropped from behind bars, showcases the very same grit and determination that have carried him through years of incarceration. For David, music is not only a way to express himself but also a way to stay connected with the world beyond prison walls—a reminder that he is still here, still fighting, and still creating.
As highlighted in The Clout Magazine, RudeBoi Li has the potential to be “rightfully next up” in hip-hop, with a sound and story that resonate deeply with listeners. His artistry has always been about more than just beats and rhymes—it’s about truth, resilience, and survival.
Why This Matters
David Yarde’s case is emblematic of a justice system that too often chooses delay over accountability, and bureaucracy over humanity. The DA’s office has already admitted that there are issues in his case that require remedy. So why is David still behind bars?
This is about more than legal technicalities. This is about a man who has lost over a decade of his life to a system that failed him. It’s about an artist who should be on stage, in studios, and on streaming charts—not locked away in a cell. And it’s about a community that refuses to remain silent while injustice continues.
How You Can Help Right Now
David’s fight for freedom needs your voice. Here are three powerful actions you can take today:
- Sign & Share the Petition
- Join thousands of others demanding that Suffolk County vacate David Yarde’s conviction or grant bail pending appeal.
- 👉 Sign here
- Amplify His Story on Social Media
- Use the hashtag #FreeDavidYardeNow. Tag @MassDAHayden and Suffolk County officials. Share David’s music, articles, and petition link to spread awareness.
- Contact the DA’s Office Directly
- Demand that DA Kevin Hayden and ADA Ian McClean take immediate action. Public officials must be held accountable when lives hang in the balance.
A Movement Bigger Than One Man
This campaign is about David Yarde—but it’s also about every wrongfully convicted person still fighting for their day of justice. Each voice raised for David is a voice raised for reform, for accountability, and for a system that values people over convictions.
David Yarde is more than an inmate number. He is a son, a friend, and an artist. He has already lost too much time, but with our collective action, he can regain his freedom and reclaim his future.
His music is out. His story is out. Now it’s time for us to ensure that his freedom is next.
Join the Movement. Be the Noise. Free David Yarde Now.
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