Prosecutors Won’t Pursue Felony Battery Charge Against Rick Ross
Prosecutors have dropped felony battery by strangulation and a separate misdemeanor battery charge against rapper Rick Ross, leaving him facing one count of misdemeanor battery/domestic violence. The change narrows the charges in a case involving allegations by a woman who said an argument at Ross’s home escalated into physical assault; Ross has pleaded not guilty.
Police said the alleged incident took place on 28 August at Ross’s Star Island home. The woman told investigators he slapped her, restricted her breathing by twisting her hoodie collar and struck her against a wall; police said they collected photographs, a victim statement and surveillance video. Ross’s lawyer has said he is innocent and described the allegations as fabrications; Ross is due to be arraigned on Friday.
In short
- Prosecutors dropped two charges against Rick Ross.
- He faces one misdemeanor domestic violence battery count.
- Ross has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The remaining domestic-violence charge reflects prosecutors’ decision to continue pursuing an allegation they consider serious, while the reported statement, photographs and surveillance video may be relevant evidence. From this perspective, narrowing the case while retaining a charge allows the allegation to be tested fairly in court and recognises the importance of addressing claims of violence.
The case against
Dropping the felony strangulation charge and a separate battery charge underscores that prosecutors are no longer pursuing the most serious allegations, and the charges that remain are not proof of guilt. Ross has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer says the claims were fabricated; a fair process requires the evidence to be tested before any conclusion is drawn.
Explained simply
Rick Ross is an American rapper and record executive whose career includes numerous albums and business ventures. Star Island, where the alleged incident took place, is a residential area in Miami Beach known for its waterfront homes.
In Florida, battery generally means unlawfully touching or striking someone; domestic violence refers to an alleged offence involving people in a household or family relationship. Felony charges carry the possibility of more serious penalties than misdemeanours, so the types of charges in a case can affect its potential consequences.
The case centres on competing accounts of an alleged argument between Ross and a woman. Criminal allegations must be proved in court, and a not guilty plea means the defendant denies the charge while the case proceeds.