50 Cent Says He ‘Had a Strong Feeling’ Suspect Accused of Assaulting Rick Ross’ Son Was ‘Innocent’ After Posting Bond
Don Roberts, 20, accused of assaulting Rick Ross’s son, William Roberts III, was released on a $50,000 bond on 21 October. 50 Cent had said he would help secure Roberts’s release and later posted a video in which Roberts thanked him and maintained that he was innocent; the case remains unresolved.
Police allege the incident happened near Bethune-Cookman University on 11 October, when Roberts approached William Roberts III, drew a weapon and struck him with it. Roberts was arrested on 16 October on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, pleaded not guilty and was identified in a police lineup. It has not been confirmed whether 50 Cent paid the bond, and the move comes amid his long-running feud with Rick Ross.
In short
- Don Roberts was released on a $50,000 bond.
- He has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
- 50 Cent’s role in paying the bond is unconfirmed.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporting Roberts’s release can be defended on the principle that an accused person is presumed innocent and should not remain detained simply because allegations are serious. A bond allows him to contest the case while free, and 50 Cent’s stated belief in his innocence reflects the value of standing by someone before the evidence has been tested in court.
The case against
Critics can argue that allegations of an armed assault are serious and that release on bond may raise concerns about public safety or pressure on witnesses while the case is pending. They may also question whether a celebrity’s intervention, especially amid a feud with the alleged victim’s father, risks making a serious legal matter seem like a publicity contest before the facts are established.