July 11, 2007 1:16

Busta Rhymes to face four separate trials

The rapper is charged with assault, drink driving

Busta Rhymes will face four separate trials for a series of violations, a Manhattan criminal court ruled today (July 10).

Prosecutors had wanted to consolidate the four cases into one, but they lost their argument when Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Larry Stephen ruled that the cases will be tried separately and consecutively.

The Grammy-winning rapper gave his attorney a 'high five' after the judge read his ruling, reports Reuters. The judge gave no public explanation for his decision.

Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, was most recently arrested on May 3 under suspicion of drink driving.

He has also been arrested on suspicion of assaulting his personal driver, driving with a suspended license, and for beating up a man who allegedly spit on his car.

The first hearing is set to take place on September 5.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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