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NEWS : STORIES
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03.08.2005 2:03 PM EST
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Ja Rule Pleads Guilty To Assault, Apologizes To Toronto
Rapper slapped with $1,220 fine for punching a clubgoer.
by
Brandee J. Tecson
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Ja Rule (file)
(Photo:
Peter Kramer
)
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Ja Rule pleaded guilty to assault and was slapped with a $1,220 fine by a Toronto court on Monday after throwing a punch at a clubgoer last June, according to Reuters.
The rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, had been facing a
more serious charge of assault with bodily harm, to which he pleaded not guilty (see "Ja Rule To Stand Trial For Assault").
Ja also issued a public apology to the city for the assault, which took place at La Rouge nightclub on June 5 (see "Ja Rule Charged With Assault In Toronto"). The rapper was in town shooting a film when the incident occurred.
"I want to apologize to the city of Toronto," Ja said after appearing in court, with his lawyer and wife by his side. "I'm just sorry about my actions."
Ja's lawyer Steven Skurka told Agence France-Presse that the judge found the conduct of the patrons at the club also unacceptable and called it "disgraceful" and an "embarrassment" to the city.
Justice W. P. Bassel told the rapper he hoped this was a "one-time outburst," according to AFP.
This report is provided by MTV News
 
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