Rapper
DMX rejected a plea bargain for a recent White Plains traffic case Monday (July
24).The
New York lyricist (born Earl Simmons) cited unfair treatment as the reason behind
his refusal. The acceptance of the plea bargain would have ended the case, according
to the White Plains Journal News."I
don’t feel good about this at all,” DMX said as he referenced the bail set by
City Court Judge Barbara Leak. "It’s not fair – $25,000 for traffic tickets?
Come on. Let’s keep it real.”Leak
set the bail after DMX did not appear for previous court dates. As a result, the
wordsmith spent a night at the Westchester County Jail on June 30. DMX
was freed July 1 after acting state Supreme Court Justice Richard Molea allowed
him to post a $2,500 bond instead of cash bail.The
rapper remained quiet in court on Monday as his lawyer Murray Richman represented
him. Richman
later revealed to the Journal News that Simmons refused a plea deal that
was offered by the DA’s office but did not reveal the details surrounding the
offer.DMX’s
snubbing is the latest in a saga that sprang from a June 2 arrest by police who
said the 35-year-old rapper was speeding. Authorities
also discovered that Simmon’s New York driver’s license had been suspended. They
later charged him with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor,
and issued tickets accusing him of speeding, seat-belt and unsafe lane change
violations.Leak,
who adjourned the case until Aug. 25, said it is possible for conferences to be
held in order to resolve the case without going to trial. If
DMX is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail.The
incident is not the first traffic incident for DMX, who is set to appear in Harrison
Town Court on August 29. The rapper pleaded not guilty to driving on the shoulder
of the Hutchinson River Parkway to avoid a traffic jam.