Rapper Lil’ Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted weapon possession today, a surprise move that will land the Grammy-winning star in jail for a year, the AP reports. He previously had pleaded not guilty to illegal gun possession charges that carried at least 3½ years in prison. But with the plea, he has agreed to a reduced sentence.
The official sentencing will take place in February.
Lil’ Wayne’s tour bus was pulled over in New York City on July 22, 2007, for reasons of authorities say they had seen and smelled marijuana smoke coming out the door before the bus left a concert venue minutes earlier. Police say, as an officer approached, Lil’ Wayne tossed a Louis Vuitton bag containing a gun.
Prosecutors said trace amounts of DNA found on the loaded gun connected it to Wayne. Although Wayne’s defense lawyer said the gun did not belong to him, and that there were flaws in the way the evidence was tested.
The defense also disputed the whole premise used by officers to search the bus (pot smoke).
And if that isn’t enough…
Lil’ Wayne is also scheduled for trial in Arizona on felony drug possession and weapons charges. He has pleaded not guilty in that case, but during an interview with MTV last year, he took responsibility for the arrest, which was also on a tour bus.
“I was irresponsible at that time. F— up on my part. No ifs, ands, buts about it. I don’t blame nobody but myself. I can’t blame nobody for not taking my charge. … This is my bus.”
We’ll keep you posted…