Busta Rhymes Arraigned On Assault Charge

Busta Rhymes on Sunday appeared at Manhattan's district attorney's office where he was arraigned on a third-degree assault charge. The rapper was arrested Saturday after a man accused Rhymes of beating him up for spitting on the rap artist's sport utility vehicle earlier this month.

Barbara Thompson, spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office, said Busta Rhymes was released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on Oct. 24.

According to criminal complaint filed against Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, the incident happened on Aug 12 when Rhymes allegedly kicked Roberto Lebron repeatedly in the head and body, sending Lebron to the hospital with cuts and bruises.

The rapper's lawyer Scott Leemon argued that the arrest was a "payback by the NYPD", since the charge should have merited only a desk appearance ticket.

Police, however, said the 33-year-old rapper didn't qualify for a desk appearance ticket because of the seriousness of the charge.

In February, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly criticized Rhymes, 34, for refusing to talk to authorities about the circumstances surrounding the murder of his bodyguard.

Israel Ramirez, 29, was shot and killed on February 5 outside a Brooklyn warehouse where Rhymes was filming a music video.

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