Jay-Z’s Gun Trial Delayed

Jay-Z‘s gun possession case has been pushed back to October 16th a judge ruled yesterday (June 26th). The arrest of the high profile artist brought light to the fact that the NYPD had developed what they called a "Rap Patrol," to watch rappers at their favorite hangouts. The reason for the delay is attributed to […]

Jay-Z‘s

gun possession case has been pushed back to October 16th

a judge ruled yesterday (June 26th). The arrest of the

high profile artist brought light to the fact that the

NYPD had developed what they called a "Rap Patrol,"

to watch rappers at their favorite hangouts.

The reason

for the delay is attributed to lawyers on both sides waiting

to see if a Grand Jury indicts Jigga on the charge. Although

Jay-Z’s bodyguard was in possession of the gun, under

New York law, all occupants of the car were charged with

gun possession. Jay-Z has pleaded not guilty.

Jigga’s case

has brought attention to the NYPD and the book they are

compiling, "Crime Trends in the Rap Music Industry,"

which as of April, had information on more than 40 rappers,

including their names, nicknames and photos. The book

also states what kind of vehicle each rapper drives, what

record label the artist is on and what club they prefer

to attend.

"Nobody

said we were targeting rappers," NYPD Sgt Brian Burke

said. "We are targeting the music industry, where

there have been a number of incidents. No one incident

was responsible."

Jay-Z’s lawyer

Murray Richman strongly disagreed, however. "Who

are the rappers in New York? They’re all African-Americans

and this is clear racial profiling with all the negative

connotations." Richman said. “It’s going to create

more trouble. A person who is defined as a rapper – and

that definition will be loosely applied – will have to

concern himself wherever he goes. He will be under specific

surveillance, he can’t make a move or turn around because

he will be stopped and searched – that’s clearly in violation

of the constitution of the United States.”