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Rick Ross has been arraigned on one count of misdemeanor battery following a hearing on Friday morning October 30. The 50-year-old rapper was arrested on October 1 for that charge as well as one count of felony battery by strangulation, which Florida prosecutors have since dropped. Ross has pled "not guilty" to the charges against him.'
Speaking to NBC 6 South Florida, Ross's attorney Brad Horenstein said in part, "There are serious doubts about this case. These are fabrications."
Ross's arraignment was initially set for October 22. Last week, prosecutors asked the court to push that hearing back, saying they needed more time to finalize formal charges.
The case traces back to an alleged assault in late August. Ross's ex-girlfriend Jazzma Kendrick says the rapper "busted her lip" and repeatedly slapped her in the face before slamming her into the wall. Kendrick's allegations were initially publicized in late September via social media before filing a report with Miami Beach police.
After Ross's initial arrest, a judge issued a stay-away order to prevent the rapper from contacting Kendrick, including through social media, and set his bond at $5,000. You can see a video of Ross shortly after leaving jail in early October below.
