Rapper Busta Rhymes appeared in a Manhattan court today (May 8) and rejected a prosecutors plea deal, stemming from charges involving two altercations last year.
Rhymes appeared in court in a black suit around 9:00 am to face charges that he assaulted his former driver during a dispute over back pay in Dec. of 2006.
Rhymes, born Trevor Smith, is also accused of beating a fan who allegedly spit on his Maybach in Manhattan, after a performance on Randall’s Island in Aug. of 2006.
“Busta does have a defense to the assaults and today, we submitted a sealed affirmation to the court detailing Busta’s defense to these cases and asking the court to try the courses separately,” Rhymes’ attorney Scott Leemon told AllHipHop.com.
Rhymes was also in court after an incident in Manhattan on May 3, in which the rapper was arrested, after being stopped for having dark tint on his $275,000 bullet proof SUV.
Officers said Rhymes was arrested after he stumbled while retrieving his license and smelled of alcohol. He was charged with misdemeanor DWI and DWAI, which is a violation.
Rhymes rejected prosecutors plea deal of one year in prison for the assault charges and a drinking-and-driving program for the DWI charges.
Prosecutors moved to have Rhymes’ license suspended, but the judge ruled in favor of Rhymes and his license is still valid.
The case has been adjourned until July 10, when a judge will issue a decision on the defense’s motion to have the two assault cases tried separately.
