Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a weapon in the second degree in a New York courtroom, on Thursday (October 22). The rapper, one of the world’s biggest hip-hop singer had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were filed after the NYPD found a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun on Wayne’s tour bus in July 2007. But after the court ruled that DNA evidence found on the gun would be admissible, Wayne opted to take the plea bargain: “Yes,” he told the judge when asked if he was in possession of the firearm. The rapper added the word “dominion” after his affirmation, meaning he didn’t fully possess the gun, but rather it was within his radius and available for use. The plea bargain carries a sentence of up to a year in prison.
Lil Wayne’s lawyer, Stacey Richman, described this DNA evidence as “problematic”. The rapper had long denied he had actual possession of the gun, which is registered in the state of Mississippi to Cortez Bryant, his manager. The gun wasn’t even found on him by police, but rather in a bag on his tour bus next to him. But because of the nature of New York’s laws, ultimately, he was held responsible. By accepting the plea deal, the rapper has avoided a January 2010 trial where he would have faced up to three and a half years in jail. Assuming good behavior, the rapper will only serve eight to 10 months. He’s due back in a Manhattan courtroom on December 15 by request of the judge for a status update. At that hearing, the rapper’s formal sentencing date will be set for sometime in February 2010 and for the moment Lil Wayne is free on bail. He is thought to have spent yesterday celebrating the first birthday of Dwayne Carter III, his eldest son.

Furthermore, as Rolling Stone previously reported, Wayne is also facing a trial for felony drug possession and weapons charges in Arizona as the result of another tour bus search in 2008. In that case, Wayne’s bus was reportedly holding 105 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine, 41 grams of ecstasy, drug paraphernalia and a handgun.
But Lil Wayne is the second major rapper this year to be found guilty on weapons charges. His past collaborator TI is currently serving a 366-day sentence for attempting to buy unlicensed machine guns and silencers in 2007. Moreover, MTV reports that Ja Rule was also pulled over that same night by New York Police Department officers and faces similar charges to Lil Wayne. His case, however, is still pending. Wayne’s attorney, Stacey Richman, has also been retained by the Queens rapper. A different judge, though, is presiding in Ja Rule’s case.
So, what happens next with the Cash Money Records lyricist’s career? It seems his fans are still waiting for his much-delayed “rock” album, Rebirth, as well as Tha Carter IV, his next hip-hop LP. Both are expected before Christmas on Universal/Motown. Meanwhile, a new mixtape, No Ceiling, is due online soon.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 3:53 pm and is filed under News.