Busta Court Cases To Be Handled Separately.

11-07-2007 05:50

Busta Court Cases To Be Handled Separately....

Rapper Busta Rhymes is celebrating after winning a rare court victory - his four arrests over the past 12 months will not be rolled into one case.

Rhymes appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday (10Jul07) to hear Judge Larry Stephen deny the prosecution's motion to consolidate two assault charges against him. The hip-hop star is accused of beating a fan, and beating and kicking a former employee, last year (06).

Rhymes' lawyer Scott Leemon says, "The two assault cases cannot be consolidated. The decision today validated Busta's defences to the assault cases. We detailed to the court that we have defence to these cases and the court agreed."

The rapper is also charged with drunk driving and driving with a suspended license. Assistant District Attorney Harrison Schweiloch had not moved to have them consolidated, so the judge also allowed them to remain separate.

In court, Rhymes again turned down Schweiloch's offer of a year in jail to cover all the cases.

Leemon explains, "It's the same offer (that the prosecutor made at the last court appearance) and it's one which Busta adamantly rejects."

The cases have been adjourned until 5 September (07) when a hearing and trial schedule are likely to be set.