ODB pleads not guilty to bulletproof vest charges with depleted funds
Los Angeles - Ol' Dirty Bastard pleaded not guilty to charges of possesion of a bulletproof vest.For convicted felons, this is illegal. The hip-hopper faces the rather long-winded charge of
possession of body armor by a person convicted of a violent felony.
The Wu-Tang Clanner whose real name is Russel Jones also told the court that he is facing financial
hardship and that he could no longer afford an attorney.
He is currently being represented by a deputy public
defender.
After Jones pleaded not guilty to the current charge,
the rapper saw his bail increased from $15,000 to
$115,000. A spokesperson for the District Attorney's
office said that the $100,000 increase was precipitated by
Jone's original felony assault conviction (which
accounted for $50,000) and two charges still pending
against him (each adding another $25,000 to the total).
If found guilty of the charge, Jones could face
between 16 months and three years in jail. Prior to this
incident, Jones was cleared of charges that he fired at
police officers when a vehicle he was riding in was pulled
over in Brooklyn back in January.
-- AP NewsWire - 3/10/99