Grammy-nominated rapper Remy Ma was found guilty of first-degree assault today in New York state Supreme Court. The rap star's attorneys claimed the shooting was an accident during Monday's closing arguments, but the Manhattan jury didn't buy the story. The rapper, whose real name is Reminisce Smith, turned herself in last July and was charged with attempted murder, which was later reduced to first-degree assault, in connection with a shooting in New York's Meatpacking District on July 14, 2007.
Smith stood accused of shooting her longtime friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph in the stomach for allegedly lifting $3,000 from her purse.
The rap star was stunned by the verdict and openly sobbed while being escorted out of the courtroom. She faces up to 25 years in prison.
The Rap Sheet
Busta Rhymes was placed on three years' probation and will perform community service following his assault on a fan and a former driver last year.
Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
On Thursday The Game, born Jayceon Terrell Taylor, was sued by a man who says the rapper pulled a gun on him during a pickup game at a Los Angeles school nearly a year ago. On March 9 the rapper finished serving eight days on charges of possession of a gun in a school zone stemming from the same incident.
Arnaldo Magnani, Getty Images
Remy Ma was found guilty of assault following the shooting last July of a 23-year-old friend outside a New York City club.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com
Federal agents arrested Lil' Wayne and two other men at a border security checkpoint in southwestern Arizona on Jan. 23 after finding several illegal drugs, including cocaine and 41 grams of Ecstacy, on the rapper's charter bus. Wayne, seen in his mugshot, was indicted on four charges on Feb. 12.
Yuma County Sheriff's Office / AP
Foxy Brown is serving a year in jail for violating her probation, after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault in 2004. A judge recently denied the 'Hot Spot' rapper's request to go to California to have an ear examination to repair an implant.
Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Sean "Diddy" Combs stands accused of assaulting fashion mogul Gerard Rechnitzer after last year's Oscars. Four witnesses have come forward to back up the claim.
Stan Honda, AFP / Getty Images
Rapper Tony Yayo was initially accused of slapping a 14-year-old boy, but now it turns out the rapper may have been on the one who stopped another man from hitting the teen.
Scott Gries, Getty Images
Yung Joc may be in even bigger trouble after skipping a hearing for his arrest in which he was accused of attempting to take a loaded gun onto a plane.
Chris Graythen, Jive Records / Getty Images
Bryan 'Birdman' Williams was charged with marijuana possession when an RV he was traveling last November was pulled over in Tennessee after an improper lane change.
Arnold Turner, WireImage.com
T.I., here performing at the BET Awards in June, was arrested Oct. 13, 2007 in possession of unregistered machine guns, hours before he was to appear at the Hip-Hop Awards. He won two awards in absentia.
Reader Comments(1 of 8)
Beatrice Lindseyat 3-27-2008
i dont think Remy Ma is guilty.She got money so why would 3000 dollars excite her
Tomat 3-27-2008
Britney Spears NAKED again:
http://www.celebritiesvidz.com/videos.php?v=Britney_Spears
campat 3-27-2008
Uh huh see
JENNIFERat 3-27-2008
She's so guilty, she ain't put out a record in a while so she needs the money and no matter how much money you got 3,000 is still 3,000. I never liked her and to me all she tried to do is imitate Lil Kim, come on people look at how she wears her weave and the contacts also the way she tries to throw her voice when she "raps" sometimes even the clothes she wears look just like Lil kim's. Everything about Remy Ma screams I can't be original so I have to imitate Lil Kim. Just convict her and get it over with.
daveat 3-27-2008
A RAPPER SHOOTING SOMEONE....NOW THERE'S SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY. IF WE PLAY OUR CARDS RIGHT, THEY'LL TOTALLY KILL EACH OTHER OFF AND RAP WILL BE DONE WITH
Babsat 3-27-2008
Another scumbag that shouldn't be rich....
frankiedat 3-27-2008
Hope that dumb black bitch gets shot over 3 dollars
Tom S.at 3-27-2008
What in the hell was she doing with $3,000 in her purse?!?!?!?
Drugs? Paying someone under the table for taking care of a problem for her? Has she ever heard of an ATM or credit card?
Lock this crackhead up for good. One less ghetto trash rapper on the streets.
Lisaat 3-28-2008
I have ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPATHY for any of these fools. They get a little money in their pockets and suddenly go apeshit! What - the rules no longer apply to them because they're famous? Well, as they can plainly see the rules certainly do still apply and sometimes even harder!!! We can all say bye-bye to these correctional facility-bound idiots and a hearty GOOD RIDDENCE!! They remind me of professional athletes who think they can rape or even assault women and it's okay. They'll probably all cry "PREJUDICE" or "DISCRIMINATION" or something involving the race card.
clayton brooksat 3-28-2008
to be a rapper sumbody gotta rap yo ass upside yo haid .dat bes whut im sain nowhutimeen.and to listen to rap you gots be a dummer mofo than thuh dum mofo rappin and dat bees mo hardda caus he bees a real stuped mo fo dat s whut i be sain
fairyfire1at 3-27-2008
Ashley Simpson looks so happy. We should all be happy for young love.
Ginaat 3-27-2008
Why is it that one can take the animal out of the jungle, but can't take the jungle out of the animal? These people make it...but can't handle it and cannot change their thug ways. It's pathetic.
Mike Fat 3-27-2008
WOW.I guess Al "I NEVER HAD A REL JOB" Sharpton was sleeping.Otherwise she would be innocent.As we all know he figures there is two kinds of justice.one for whites and one for blacks
Aat 3-27-2008
A (C)rap 'artist' bei9ng violent...??? Well now I've heard EVERYTHING!!!
They always sing about love and peace and chastity; I am sure this is a mistake.
HURRY UP AND KILL EACH OTHER.
lanitaat 3-27-2008
I think you all just have too much time on your hands she is still a person and you have too much hate in your hearts. Calling her out her name is just wrong and you all are a**holes for that. As for rap there is good rap out there and until you know what you are talking about shut the h**l up. Rap is here to stay whether you like it or not
NOW GO TO SLEEP YOU DUMB F**KS