Fugees rapper Pras Michel failed to convince his trial judge that he should remain free on bail while he appeals his conviction and resulting 14-year prison sentence in his money laundering, illegal lobbying, and witness tampering case. Michel, 53, had asked to remain free while he appeals, arguing that a series of reversible errors tainted his conviction. The musician “is required to take affirmative action” to pursue his appeal of the bail ruling with the D.C. This was a coronation of guilt,” Michel’s spokesperson Erica Dumas previously said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “What benefit would I get trying to break laws?” he told Rolling Stone.