Rapper Ja Rule has been ordered to stand trial in New York in August (10) to face a charge of gun possession.
The Always On Time star’s chauffeured sports car was pulled over by police in the Big Apple in 2007 on suspicion of speeding, having a suspended registration and no insurance.
A search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a semi-automatic gun hidden in the rear driver’s side door.
Ja Rule’s lawyer, Stacey Richman, lost a bid to have the weapons count thrown out in January (10), arguing the police stop which led to his arrest was unjustified.
Richman returned to a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday (08Jun10) to request another hearing to discuss issues surrounding the prosecution’s DNA evidence, but her motion was dismissed and a trial date was set for 18 August (10).
Ja Rule, real name Jeffrey Atkins, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. If convicted, he faces up to four years behind bars.
