Will Packer Helms Another One...

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Producer Will Packer will tackle the true story of Kemba Smith, who was granted clemency by President Clinton after serving six years on a 24-year sentence for conspiracy to sell crack cocaine.

Packer ("Stomp the Yard") picked up the life rights to Smith's story and will produce the project through his Rainforest Films shingle. He's looking for a writer; production is slated to begin on the untitled drama in 2009.

Smith, who was brought up by middle-class professional parents in Richmond, Va., had no criminal record or problems before attending Hampton University, where she met a man who ended up being the leader of a $4 million crack cocaine ring and one of the FBI's 15 most wanted.

Although the government acknowledged that Smith never sold drugs or took them, she was charged with conspiracy to distribute crack and was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Clinton granted her clemency before he left office in 2000.

Packer is in pre-production on three projects with Screen Gems: The thriller "Obsessed," starring Beyonce Knowles; "Bone Deep," a crime-action drama starring Matt Dillon and Idris Elba; and the basketball drama "Phenom," starring Chris Brown and Vanessa Williams.

From IW: Dang, Will Packer is busy as a mofo. Can a negress get an application? haha

Sergio, (who emailed me this story) seems to think that ol' girl Kemba, while not directly involved, had to have some kind of cognizance about her situation. I have to say, if your man is dealing in those kinds of numbers, you have to know somethin'. No one is that sneaky and no one could be that naive. What do you think?