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Rapper Beanie Sigel jailed on federal gun charge
By DAVID B. CARUSO
The Associated Press
7/14/2003, 6:21 p.m. ET
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal magistrate called gold-selling rapper Beanie Sigel "a danger to the community" Monday and ordered him held without bail while he awaits trial on gun, assault and attempted murder charges.
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Sigel, who was referred to in court by his birth-name, Dwight Grant, didn't testify and didn't speak during the brief hearing in U.S. District Court. His mother sobbed as he was led off in handcuffs.
The order came despite pleas from Grant's music-business mentor, hip-hop performer and promoter Jay-Z, who took the stand to ask that Sigel be allowed to remain free and continue touring this summer.
Sigel was between shows on Jay-Z's "Roc the Mic" tour when he was arrested on charges that he shot a man twice outside a Philadelphia strip club on July 1 .
The victim's heart stopped beating in the ambulance, but he was revived and is recuperating, although he has a fractured vertebrae that prevents him from walking without a brace, prosecutors said.
The shooting is the latest in a litany of charges against Sigel, including an alleged assault in January that broke a bone in a man's face and an April arrest for allegedly tossing a loaded, stolen gun into the street following a high-speed police chase. Police said he was carrying dozens of prescription painkillers, a bag of marijuana and two bottles of cough medicine when he was caught.
Federal authorities asked a magistrate to detain Sigel based on that gun case. The other charges remain in state court.
Friends and relatives packed a small federal courtroom Monday to offer Sigel their support.
Jay-Z, who also used his birth-name — Sean Carter — in court, spoke only a few words on Sigel's behalf, and mostly described his protege's talent. He recalled how he took the Philadelphia-born rapper under his wing after hearing him rhyme in a record studio in 1997.
"I signed him the week after that, which is very rare in the music business," he said.
Under questioning from Magistrate M. Faith Angell, he acknowledged that if Sigel was released, he couldn't be with him at all times to guarantee that Sigel wouldn't flee or get into further trouble.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Douglas said Sigel had "terrorized Philadelphia," even as his career took off, and scoffed at the suggestion that Grant's business associates and fellow performers could supervise him adequately if he were freed.
"They didn't do it before. The government's contention is they will not do it for him in the future," he said.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Sigel would face three to four years in prison if he is convicted on the gun charge. His attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., said Sigel would "vigorously defend" himself against all the charges.
Perri said that even though Sigel, 29, has been arrested eight times in his life, and has been convicted of assault and drug possession, he could be trusted not to flee. He said he would consider appealing Angell's decision.
Rapper Beanie Sigel jailed on federal gun charge
By DAVID B. CARUSO
The Associated Press
7/14/2003, 6:21 p.m. ET
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal magistrate called gold-selling rapper Beanie Sigel "a danger to the community" Monday and ordered him held without bail while he awaits trial on gun, assault and attempted murder charges.
From Our Advertiser
Sigel, who was referred to in court by his birth-name, Dwight Grant, didn't testify and didn't speak during the brief hearing in U.S. District Court. His mother sobbed as he was led off in handcuffs.
The order came despite pleas from Grant's music-business mentor, hip-hop performer and promoter Jay-Z, who took the stand to ask that Sigel be allowed to remain free and continue touring this summer.
Sigel was between shows on Jay-Z's "Roc the Mic" tour when he was arrested on charges that he shot a man twice outside a Philadelphia strip club on July 1 .
The victim's heart stopped beating in the ambulance, but he was revived and is recuperating, although he has a fractured vertebrae that prevents him from walking without a brace, prosecutors said.
The shooting is the latest in a litany of charges against Sigel, including an alleged assault in January that broke a bone in a man's face and an April arrest for allegedly tossing a loaded, stolen gun into the street following a high-speed police chase. Police said he was carrying dozens of prescription painkillers, a bag of marijuana and two bottles of cough medicine when he was caught.
Federal authorities asked a magistrate to detain Sigel based on that gun case. The other charges remain in state court.
Friends and relatives packed a small federal courtroom Monday to offer Sigel their support.
Jay-Z, who also used his birth-name — Sean Carter — in court, spoke only a few words on Sigel's behalf, and mostly described his protege's talent. He recalled how he took the Philadelphia-born rapper under his wing after hearing him rhyme in a record studio in 1997.
"I signed him the week after that, which is very rare in the music business," he said.
Under questioning from Magistrate M. Faith Angell, he acknowledged that if Sigel was released, he couldn't be with him at all times to guarantee that Sigel wouldn't flee or get into further trouble.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Douglas said Sigel had "terrorized Philadelphia," even as his career took off, and scoffed at the suggestion that Grant's business associates and fellow performers could supervise him adequately if he were freed.
"They didn't do it before. The government's contention is they will not do it for him in the future," he said.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Sigel would face three to four years in prison if he is convicted on the gun charge. His attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., said Sigel would "vigorously defend" himself against all the charges.
Perri said that even though Sigel, 29, has been arrested eight times in his life, and has been convicted of assault and drug possession, he could be trusted not to flee. He said he would consider appealing Angell's decision.
