Snoop in Court for Assault Case

7 months ago 26th Apr 09:35

Snoop Dogg appeared in court in California on Friday (24Apr09) to fight acivil lawsuit from a man who alleges he was assaulted by the rapper in 2005.

Richard Monroe, Jr. is seeking $22 million (£15 million) in damages and punitive penalties from Snoop Dogg over claims the hip-hop star and his entourage attacked him during a concert at the White River Amphitheater on the outskirts of Seattle, Washington.

Monroe Jr. alleges the rapper - real name Calvin Broadus - hit him witha microphone after he jumped on stage and put his hand on the star's shoulder.

He then claims Broadus' security guards hauled him off and delivered a savage beating.

He told jurors in Friday's opening hearing in Santa Monica, "I was getting punched, kicked, kicked, punched. It was brutal. I was really in shock. I couldn't believe it".

Broadus' attorneys have hit back at the allegations - insisting the star thought he was being attacked when the man suddenly jumped on stage

Jurors were also shown a videotape of the incident.

Broadus' attorneys have hit back at the allegations - insisting the star thought he was being attacked when the man suddenly jumped on stage.

The lawyer also claim Monroe Jr.'s alleged injuries were not "evidence of someone who was savagely beaten".

Broadus is expected to testify during the trial which will last a week.

Meanwhile in other news the Rap superstar has been named and shamed as the latest celebrity indebted to the state of California - he's failed to pay more than $284,000 (£195,860) in back taxes.

The Drop It Like It's Hot hitmaker, real name Calvin Broadus, had a tax lien filed against him last month (Mar09), which accused the rapper of owing $284,053.59 (£195,899.03), reports TMZ.com.

He's not the only musician not up to date with his taxes - soul star Dionne Warwick was recently listed as California's top 10 worst offender, while rappers Xzibit, Method Man and Lil' Kim have also run into trouble with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service