Snoop Dogg pleads not guilty

Jan 25, 2007, 13:40 GMT

Vintage Snoop Dogg - NY © Fame / Photorazzi

Snoop Dogg has pleaded not guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon.

The rapper's attorney Donald Etra entered the plea on his behalf at California's Orange County Court yesterday (24.01.07).

Snoop - real name Calvin Broadus - was arrested last September when he attempted to board a plane at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, while carrying a 20 inch collapsible baton in a computer bag.

If convicted of the charge, Snoop faces up to three years in jail.

The rapper's lawyers have argued the weapon was intended to be used as "a prop" for a video he was filming in New York.

Etra said: "Snoop's not guilty plea says it all. The item he's charged with was a prop, not a weapon. Snoop never intended it to be used as anything other than a prop."

However, prosecutors are keen to convict Snoop because of his former run-ins with the law.

Orange County District Attorney spokeswoman Susan Schroeder said: "The reason we're pursuing this as a felony is because of Mr. Broadus' criminal history, and his apparent and continued disregard for the law."

Snoop was arrested in Burbank, California, twice last year in suspicion for possession of firearms and illegal drugs.The cases are currently under review.

Snoop was banned from carrying firearms for the rest of his life, after being convicted in a cocaine bust in 1990.

The rapper's next hearing on the baton charge is scheduled for April 5.

(C) BANG Media International