Singer Kelis was acquitted of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges in a Miami court late last week. The judgment came down Thursday (September 11th) after evidence surfaced during trial that contradicted prosecution accounts.
The artist, whose full name is Kelis Rodgers-Jones, was arrested in March of 2007 after authorities said she tried to disrupt an undercover police operation by screaming racial epithets and rushing toward two female officers posing as prostitutes. Seems the “Milkshake” singer’s rage was sparked when her husband, rapper Nas, was among a group of African Americans being questioned by police at Jerry’s Deli in connection with a prostitution sting.
The 28-year-old was later detained, charged, and released on $1,500 bond.
Now that the judge in the case has ruled that there was no basis for her arrest, Kelis is planning to bring a civil suit against the Miami Beach Police.
“I’m thrilled that justice prevailed in the end,” Kelis told AllHipHop.com. “Racial profiling is a very serious matter. Unfortunately, most victims learn to deal with this form of harassment in their daily lives because they feel that they don’t have a voice or because they’re not able to absorb the costs to legally fight it in court. I hope that this sheds light on the fact that wearing a uniform and carrying a badge does not allow you to act above the law.”
Source
Your Black Hip-Hop: Kelis Acquitted, Will File Lawsuit Against Police
The artist, whose full name is Kelis Rodgers-Jones, was arrested in March of 2007 after authorities said she tried to disrupt an undercover police operation by screaming racial epithets and rushing toward two female officers posing as prostitutes. Seems the “Milkshake” singer’s rage was sparked when her husband, rapper Nas, was among a group of African Americans being questioned by police at Jerry’s Deli in connection with a prostitution sting.
The 28-year-old was later detained, charged, and released on $1,500 bond.
Now that the judge in the case has ruled that there was no basis for her arrest, Kelis is planning to bring a civil suit against the Miami Beach Police.
“I’m thrilled that justice prevailed in the end,” Kelis told AllHipHop.com. “Racial profiling is a very serious matter. Unfortunately, most victims learn to deal with this form of harassment in their daily lives because they feel that they don’t have a voice or because they’re not able to absorb the costs to legally fight it in court. I hope that this sheds light on the fact that wearing a uniform and carrying a badge does not allow you to act above the law.”
Source