Lil Wayne 2008 Arizona Case:Bench Warrant Issued – Imprisoned rap star Lil’ Wayne was issued a bench warrant Tuesday for drug and weapons charges in Arizona.
The Grammy Award-winning rapper is currently serving a one-year jail sentence at Rikers Island in New York for having a loaded gun on his tour bus, and was unable to show up for the scheduled court date, said Lil’ Wayne’s attorney, James Tilson.
A Yuma County Superior Court judge issued the warrant after the entertainer, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, failed to appear in court for a final trial management conference, reports The Associated Press.
Charges stem from a January 2008 arrest, when Wayne was detained at a border checkpoint 78 miles east of Yuma after authorities say they found cocaine, Ecstasy and a handgun on his tour bus.
The 27-year-old has been charged with one count each of possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He has plead not guilty to all the charges.
Apparently, the judge didn’t get the memo from Wayne’s lawyer.
Tilson said he has filed motions to have Lil’ Wayne’s March 30 trial date vacated, and asked the court that his client be allowed to appear in Yuma when he finishes his New York jail sentence. He also asked that his bond remain the same.
“It does not appear that a trial will be occurring anytime within the next eight to 12 months,” Tilson said.
But Yuma County prosecutor Deann Sandry said that a bench warrant should be issued and his bond increased to $150,000.00.
The rapper was busy in the studio recording new music for and shot a whopping eight videos in one day before he began serving his sentence at Rikers Island. His latest album, Rebirth, was released last month.
