Rapper The Game pleads not guilty in punching, threatening of off-duty Los Angeles officer

CP35766262
FILE - This Nov. 29, 2013 file photo shows, Jayceon Terrell Taylor aka The Game, at his Private Black Friday Birthday Dinner at Philippe in Beverly Hills, Calif. Taylor, pleaded not guilty on Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, to charges that he punched and threatened an off-duty Los Angeles police officer during a pickup basketball game in March. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Rapper The Game has pleaded not guilty to charges filed after he was accused of punching and threatening an off-duty police officer during a basketball game.

The rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Taylor, entered the plea Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom.

Taylor was charged in June with one felony count of making criminal threats and a misdemeanour assault and battery charge over the altercation that occurred in March.

Los Angeles police officer Onyebuchi Awaji testified at a hearing earlier this month that Taylor threatened to kill him after punching him during the game after an intentional foul.

A judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Taylor to stand trial on the charges. No trial date has been set and the 36-year-old is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 11.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles