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Andrew Tate Won’t Be Going To Trial In His Trafficking Case…But There’s A Catch

December 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Andrew Tate faced a slew of criminal allegations over the past few years, but this piece of good news for him might not actually help him get over those. For those unaware, authorities arrested him and his brother Tristan, along with two women, about two years ago for allegedly running a sexually exploitative gang in the United Kingdom and Romania. They face charges of alleged human trafficking, whereas Andrew has an additional alleged sexual assault charge. The social media influencer and his colleagues did get a win, though, as a Romanian court ruled on Thursday (December 19) that their case will not go to trial… yet.

The judge ruled that prosecutors committed various legal and procedural mistakes in their filing against Andrew Tate and company, but this does not mean that their case closed immediately. After all, there’s an additional legal matter in Romania against the brothers. But for this situation specifically, the court returned the sex trafficking case to the prosecutors and outlined two options: they can submit new evidence to sustain their charges, or amend them in favor of a different approach.

Andrew Tate In Romania

Andrew Tate Sex Trafficking Trial Rejected Court Entertainment News — Andrew Tate (C), speaks to journalists as he is brought in for questioning by the Romanian gendarmes after a ten-hour long raid by police at their residency in Bucharest on August 21, 2024. (Photo by Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)

“The review revealed significant procedural flaws and raised serious concerns about the integrity of the investigative process, further undermining the credibility of the prosecution’s case,” Andrew Tate’s spokesperson Mateea Petrescu stated. She added that this review – which they requested from the appeals court – “confirms the lack of credible evidence or consistency in the accusations” on behalf of their opposing attorneys. This follows a formal indictment last year and the cohort’s denial of any allegations against them. Back in November, the court removed evidence such as witness statements from two alleged victims and statements from the Tate brothers.

In addition, the court also explained that prosecutors did not explain the charges against Andrew Tate to an alleged female victim in the case, and that they failed to properly present the charges against the two women. Another point of contention they pointed out was the lack of specification when it comes to the assets authorities confiscated. However, the Tate brothers also face legal trouble in the United Kingdom, so they are not out of the woods.

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Soulja Boy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit To Move Forward After New Court Decision

December 6, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Soulja Boy’s former personal assistant (and ex-girlfriend) took a small victory in court on Wednesday when a judge ruled her lawsuit against him can move forward. Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein denied a motion by Soulja Boy’s attorneys to dismiss multiple causes of action in the lawsuit brought by the plaintiff, including gender violence, a hostile work environment and negligence. She alleges she was sexually abused by the rapper over a period of nearly two years. The former assistant, whose identity is concealed under the “Jane Doe” name, originally filed her lawsuit in 2021.

“Way [Soulja Boy] seems to contend that he owes plaintiff no duties outside the employment relationship.” Epstein wrote. “The court is not sure what defendant means. If defendant means that he did not owe plaintiff a duty not to sexually assault her, the argument is frivolous. If it is something else, the court does not know what it is. Similarly meritless is the argument that the sexual assault had nothing to do with gender,” he continued.

Lawsuit Against Soulja Boy Will Move Forward Thanks To New Ruling

Jane Doe alleged that she endured severe sexual, physical, and emotional abuse while working for him from late 2018 through much of 2020. The claims include sexual battery, physical assault, false imprisonment and withholding wages. She alleged that much of her work during the 18-month employment period went uncompensated.

According to the suit, Doe’s duties included cooking and bringing food and snacks to Soulja Boy, carrying personal belongings or luggage, styling his hair, driving him and handling travel plans. The rapper paid her $500 weekly, per the filing. Additionally, Doe claims she worked seven days a week, 20 hours daily. She stated that the abuse began shortly after Soulja Boy hired her. It escalated into a pattern of violence and included instances where she was locked in a room without basic necessities. Soulja Boy has denied the allegations, calling them “untrue” through his representatives. However, the plaintiff’s legal team have argued that the treatment left her “physically and emotionally traumatized,” opting to seek accountability through the legal process. This latest development in Soulja Boy’s case comes shortly after he mocked both Drake and Plies for recent legal actions they’ve taken. There is not yet a trial date.

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Diddy Case At Standstill After U.S. Attorney Announces Resignation

November 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Damian Williams announced his resignation on November 25. The U.S. Attorney represented the Southern District of New York, and worked several high profile cases throughout his career. The most recent, and perhaps most notable example, is Sean “Diddy” Combs. Williams was aggressive when it came to prosecuting Diddy, and the charges levied against the disgraced mogul on his watch. Damian Williams’ decision to retire on December 13, however, some insiders are concerned as to what the repercussions could be on the Diddy case.

Williams issued a statement following his resignation announcement. “Today is a bittersweet day for me,” he noted. “It is bitter in the sense that I am leaving my dream job, leading an institution I love that is filled with the finest public servants in the world. It is sweet in that I am confident I am leaving at a time when the Office is functioning at an incredibly high level.” Damian Williams served three years as U.S. Attorney, and also played a role in the recent charges made against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Diddy, however, represents an especially sensitive situation.

Diddy Has Attempted To Make Bond Three Times

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According to AllHipHop, legal experts have voiced concern over Williams’ sudden departure. There is a sense that the District Attorney’s absence could slow down the momentum of the Diddy case. A case that has already been sidelined by bail requests and dozens of lawsuits. The Diddy case is scheduled to begin in May 2025, but it’s unclear how Williams’ absence will impact this date, if at all. The Bad Boy founder has also been tireless in his attempt to make bond until the trial begins. Newsweek noted that the legal team for Diddy submitted various pieces of evidence to the court on Monday.

Diddy’s legal team also pointed to Donald Trump’s recent legal troubles as a precedent for the kind of outside communication their client should be allowed. They argued that the disgraced mogul actually has a “greater constitutional claim” that Trump when it comes to making bond. “Accordingly, the Court should apply Trump’s heightened standard when considering Mr. Combs’ speech here,” they went on to note. A decision regarding Diddy’s bond request is set to be made this week.

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Tay-K Gets A New Trial Date As He Faces The Possibility Of Life In Prison

November 25, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Tay-K’s second murder trial will be hitting the courtroom in February of next year as he faces life in prison for a 2017 murder case in San Antonio. The trial comes as he already remains behind bars as part of a 55-year sentence for his role in a murder in 2016 in Mansfield, Texas. KSAT.com reports that a jury pool of 200 people will be called on February 7 with testimony scheduled to begin on February 10.

The rapper’s attorney has expressed his concerns about jurors having a bias against Tay-K due to his viral music video for “The Race.” In the piece, he poses in front of his own wanted poster. “The nature of the case involved a music video, and that music video is very famous and well-known,” the attorney said. “We may need more than the average jury pool because people are familiar and may have formed an opinion.”

Tay-K Appears In Court

The latest update comes after Tay-K went viral on social media. Images of him from a recent court appearance circulated online. He rocks glasses in the pictures, which sparked numerous jokes. “N***a looks like them inmates come to him for bites of wisdom at the yard,” one user on X (former Twitter) remarked. Another joked: “My boy look like he hard to beat at chess.” Others expressed concerns about the apparent scar on the back of his neck. “The scar along the back of his neck. A attempt has been made on his life,” one user wrote. “Pay attention!!!!!”

Tay-K is now 24 years old, having been originally arrested in June 2017 at the age of just 17. He dropped “The Race” on the same day authorities apprehended him following several months on the run. The song peaked at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Be on the lookout for further updates on Tay-K’s second murder trial on HotNewHipHop.

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Conor McGregor Found Liable For 2018 Sexual Assault In Civil Trial

November 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Conor McGregor has lost his civil rape case in Ireland after a jury found him liable for assault. The case had been going on for much of the month. Nikita Ni Lamhain, a woman from Ireland, claimed McGregor and another man had sex with her against her will after a Christmas party in 2018. Ni Lamhain, who is also known as Nikita Hand, alleged the UFC star picked her and her friend up following the holiday get-together and took them to a nearby hotel. She claimed while there, McGregor forced himself on her on a bed in a penthouse suite. She also stated that later, another man, James Lawrence, sexually assaulted her too.

McGregor claimed their encounter was entirely consensual. However, this decision confirms that the court did not believe his recounting of events. They awarded Ni Lamhain with $250,000 in damages. Their report also stated that James Lawrence did not assault her. The media approached for McGregor for comment outside of the courthouse, but he did not make any statements there.

Conor McGregor Found Liable For 2018 Sexual Assault

BREAKING: No comment from Conor McGregor as he leaves court to a media flurry, pic.twitter.com/eYEsferlY5

— Paul Healy (@Healyhack) November 22, 2024

Conor McGregor took to X (formerly Twitter) to deliver a public condemnation of the verdict. He announced that he plans to appeal the court’s decision. “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future,” he said.

The embattled mixed martial arts star, who was once the biggest box office draw in the sport, has been in and out of legal troubles for much of the last ten years. He’s been in several driving incidents since 2017. At UFC 223, he attacked a bus used by rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, smashing a window and injuring other fighters inside in the process. The NYPD issued a warrant for his arrest, eventually charging him with three counts of assault, one count of criminal mischief, as well as menacing and reckless endangerment. That was brought down to one disorderly conduct charge. He served only five days of community service after a no contest plea. In 2023, he was accused of physically assaulting a woman on his yacht and sexually assaulting another after Game Four of the NBA Finals. And now, he is liable for this instance in 2018. As this is a new development, McGregor has not yet filed his appeal.

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Tay-K Sports New Look In Leaked Photos From Court

November 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Tay-K, the young former rapper who went viral in 2017 for his song “The Race,” has been awaiting trial for a capital murder charge for several years. “The Race” was recorded while Tay-K was on the run from authorities. Tay-K’s elusiveness after having his GPS monitor cut off while out on bond triggered a nationwide manhunt. Authorities apprehended the rapper in New Jersey.

After being arrested, Tay-K was charged with murder, three counts of aggravated robbery, and capital murder. His previous trial ended with him receiving a 55-year prison sentence. He is now awaiting trial for the capital murder charge after he and his attorney declined a plea deal in February. The trial is officially set to begin on February 10, 2025. New photos of the ex-rapper came from his latest court date, where the trial date was officially set for Tay-K, whose real name is Taymor McIntyre.

Tay-K New Photos From Latest Court Date

New photos of Tay-K surfaced after his last court appearance 👀 pic.twitter.com/0eMjdXyYmo

— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) November 22, 2024

Tay-K, who is now 24 years old, previously expressed his disapproval at his 55-year sentence. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) last year, he argued that he played the “most insignificant” role in the crimes he’s serving time for. He also argued that if he was white, he would not have gotten anywhere near 55 years in prison. Additionally, pleaded for an opportunity at adulthood, as he has been in custody since he was 17.

As previously stated, Tay-K’s capital murder trial begins on February 10, 2025. If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. His attorneys have raised the question of bias in the jury selection process. Their client’s legal troubles have been highly publicized for nearly a decade. “The nature of the case involved a music video, and that music video is very famous and well known,” McIntyre’s attorney said. “We may need more than the average jury pool because people are familiar and may have formed an opinion.” Time will tell on if his attorney gets his request honored. These new photos of Tay-K show just how much time has passed since the public first became aware of his story.

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Joe Budden Wonders If It’s Possible For Diddy To Have A Fair Trial

November 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

It’s no secret that Diddy is in for an intense trial. The Bad Boy founder is currently behind bars for various charges related to alleged sex trafficking and racketeering. His trial is expected to begin in May 2025, and he could reportedly face some serious prison time if convicted. He’s also facing multiple lawsuits from men and women who accuse him of sexual assault, abuse, and more.

Recently, prosecutors even obtained roughly 19 pages of “privileged notes” that were found during a raid of the mogul’s jail cell, according to TMZ. They alleged that they pointed to him allegedly paying Kalenna Harper to release a statement in his defense after Dawn Richard filed a lawsuit against him, and more. Earlier this week, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that none of this could be used as evidence against Diddy. He ordered the prosecution to destroy the notes.

The Joe Budden Podcast Discusses Diddy’s Legal Battle

Joe budden podcast debating if dddy is able to get a fair trial with all these stories coming out about him that the Feds are leaking to media outlets pic.twitter.com/497GTVQXgc

— joebuddenclips (@Chatnigga101) November 20, 2024

During a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, Budden and his co-hosts questioned whether or not it’s even possible for Diddy to get a fair trial at this point. According to them, it might not be, considering the number of shocking allegations the public has heard against Diddy. They argued that it might be difficult to find an untainted jury. On the other hand, they also speculated that his celebrity status could give him a leg up.

It remains to be seen how Diddy’s case will actually play out. The long list of disturbing accusations he’s facing has certainly not stopped growing, however. This week, for example, a former RoboCop stuntman sued him over a music video audition allegedly gone wrong. The man alleges that after drinking a Diet Coke, he blacked out, and woke up to Diddy sodomizing him.

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Diddy Accuses Prosecutors Of Lying About Prison Raid

November 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Diddy’s legal team isn’t buying federal prosecutors’ claims about not having seen the supposed “privileged notes” that were obtained during a raid on the Bad Boy mogul’s prison cell. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, argued in new legal docs obtained by TMZ that officials took pictures of 19 pages of material. That material allegedly included 11 pages of trial strategy notes and private correspondence with his defense.

Authorities previously argued that they found a manila folder labeled “legal,” but did not open it. They also allege that they took photos of Diddy’s notebook, but didn’t look at them and instead, handed them over to a “filter team” to determine whether the content was privileged. Expectedly, Diddy’s team isn’t happy about the situation.

Diddy’s Lawyer Speaks Outside Of His Arraignment

Marc Agnifilo (L), lawyer for rapper and music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, speaks outside federal court after Combs’ arraignment hearing on September 17, 2024, in New. York. A U.S. Judge on Tuesday refused a bail request from Combs and ordered the superstar rapper jailed pending his trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

“Once they got them [photos of the documents], the first thing they did was use them, specifically use them by putting them in a bail letter to keep Combs in jail,” Agnifilo argued in response to the explanation of the situation. As for the alleged raid on Diddy’s prison cell, his team previously labeled it “outrageous government conduct amounting to a substantive due process violation.” Diddy appeared in court for a hearing in the case on Tuesday to discuss the matter.

For the hearing, his lawyers requested that authorities remove his shackles so as to not attract media attention and influence possible members of the jury. Judge Arun Subramanian approved the request and Diddy entered the courtroom unrestrained. Diddy is currently residing at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after pleading not guilty to charges of alleged sex trafficking and racketeering, earlier this year.

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YNW Melly’s Lawyer Finally Gets A Win Ahead Of His Double Murder Retrial

October 23, 2024 by newhiphopnews

YNW Melly’s attorney, Raven Liberty, has finally gotten a judge to agree to address 20 motions in the rapper’s retrial for an alleged double murder. As caught by NBC 6 South Florida, a status hearing in the case was held in court on Tuesday. Liberty used the opportunity to complain about the “plethora of motions” that she has been unsuccessfully trying to set hearings for over the last several months.

“I made several attempts to schedule the close to, I think, 15-20 motions that are still outstanding. We could not get state to agree with any dates and your office then told us not to contact them unless the state agrees to dates,” Liberty told the judge. The prosecution added that they’ve been getting confused by which motions are for which cases, to which Liberty added: “I don’t think there’s any motion that I have filed that date goes past May. It’s October. They’ve had time to respond.”

YNW Melly Booked In Ft. Lauderdale

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – FEBRUARY 13: In this handout photo provided by the Broward’s Sheriff’s Office, rapper Y.N.W. Melly, real name Jamell Demons, is seen in a police booking photo after being charged with two counts of murder in the first degree February. 13, 2019 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Demons allegedly conspired with Cortlen Henry to fatally shot two other Florida based rappers, Christopher Thomas Jr and Anthony Williams. October 26. (Photo by Broward’s Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images)

In response, the judge told both sides, “I’ll give you dates and then whatever motions the defense wants me to hear, just file a notice of hearing… likewise state, if you have anything you want me to hear, you can file a notice of hearing for the same date and time and say this is the motions that you want me to hear. And I’ll hear them.” From there, both parties agreed to hearings on January 6th and 7th to address all of the motions.

The update comes after the judge set Melly’s new trial date for September 10, 2025, earlier this year. His first double murder trial ended in a mistrial, last year. He’s been behind bars since 2019. Be on the lookout for further updates on YNW Melly on HotNewHipHop.

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Toronto Rapper Top5 Reveals Drake Paid For His Legal Fees After Beating Murder Case

September 23, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Top5, the Toronto rapper previously co-signed by Drake, is officially a free man after the murder case against him fell apart in court on Monday. Authorities originally arrested him back in 2021 for his alleged involvement in the murder of a 20-year-old accounting student. At the latest hearing, the judge in the case dismissed social media evidence on the basis of it being inadmissible.

According to the Toronto Star, Superior Court Justice Andras Shreck wrote in his decision that it “portrays Mr. Ali as a violent gang member with little regard for human life and who revels in the senseless killing of others. The risk that a jury will misuse this evidence and convict Mr. Ali because of his disposition is significant.”

Top5 Leaves Courtroom After Winning His Case

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Speaking about the topic afterward, Top5’s lawyer, Gary Grill, explained the legal prejudice against rap artists. “The problem about prosecuting artists like Mr. Ali [Top5] based on their music; it fails to understand what the medium is, what’s it about, and how drillers approach their audiences,” Grill said, according to CTV News. “It’s important for all drillers to portray themselves as the biggest, baddest gangsters on the planet. That’s what sells. That’s what all drillers are doing. The way that Mr. Ali was charged in the first place was as a result of his lyrics, it was a result of the videos that he was putting out there, as a result of his medium as a drill rap artist that attracted the attention with the police.”

Top5 Shouts Out Drake For The Assist

After leaving the courthouse, Top5 shared a picture of himself on Instagram and revealed that Drake actually covered his legal fees. Shortly after the post began circulating online, he removed that note from the caption. Check out the original version as caught by DJ Akademiks below. Be on the lookout for further updates on Top5 and Drake on HotNewHipHop.

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