Rick Ross thanks his legal team after prosecutors drop the felony charge, but one charge still stands
Rick Ross has thanked his legal team after Miami-Dade prosecutors dropped a felony battery-by-strangulation charge against him, citing insufficient evidence. The rapper is not in the clear yet: he still faces one misdemeanour charge of domestic violence battery, which he denies. The case now moves to Miami-Dade County Court.
Three things to know
- Prosecutors declined to file the felony battery-by-strangulation charge, citing insufficient evidence, in court documents filed on October 29 (local time).
- They filed one misdemeanour count of domestic violence battery instead. Ross has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations.
- Ross, 50, surrendered to Miami Beach police on October 1. His lawyer says he is very happy the felony was not filed.
Rick Ross is in a better position than he was a month ago, and he wants his lawyers to know he noticed.
In a video addressing the development, the Maybach Music Group founder thanked his legal team after Miami-Dade prosecutors decided not to pursue the most serious charge he faced, a felony count of battery by strangulation.
Court documents filed on October 29 (local time) show prosecutors declined the felony, citing insufficient evidence. They also dropped the original misdemeanour battery charge and filed a single count of misdemeanour domestic violence battery in its place.
What is the case about?
Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, surrendered to detectives at Miami Beach police headquarters on October 1. The charges relate to an alleged incident involving a woman at his Star Island home in late August. Ross denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.
What does his lawyer say?
His lawyer, Bradley Horenstein, told reporters at a Miami court hearing that Ross was very happy prosecutors did not file the felony. Mr Horenstein said the evidence did not support a strangulation charge and asked people to “wait for it all to play out in court”. He has said his team believes both charges should have been dropped.
What happens to the remaining charge?
The misdemeanour domestic violence battery charge will be heard in Miami-Dade County Court. A misdemeanour is a much lesser charge than the felony he first faced, but domestic violence battery remains a serious allegation, and it is still to be tested in court. Ross is presumed innocent.
What do you think?
Was dropping the felony the right call? Tell us in the comments.
What happens next
- The misdemeanour domestic violence battery case proceeds in Miami-Dade County Court.
Sources
- VNN
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