Eminem Pleads Guilty to Weapon Charge
February 14 -- Rap superstar Eminem may face jail time after pleading guilty today to carrying a concealed weapon. In exchange for the plea, an assault charge — stemming from the same June altercation outside a bar in Warren, Mich. — will be dropped.
Carrying a concealed weapon is punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 10.
Eminem, born Marshall Mathers III, was arrested June 4 outside a Warren nightclub. Police say he struck a man he saw kissing his wife, Kim.
Prosecutor David Portuesi told The Associated Press that he was satisfied with the plea.
"We thought it was a reasonable offer and apparently he did to. So this should resolve the matter," Portuesi said.
The rap star's sentence, which is likely to range from probation to 17 months in jail, will be determined by the judge after a recommendation from probation officials. If Eminem is unhappy with the recommendation, he can withdraw the plea and take the case to trial.
Eminem is up for four trophies at the Feb. 21 Grammy Awards, where he will perform with Elton John. The Marshall Mathers LP, a candidate for Album of the Year, has drawn criticism for lyrics people call violent and hateful. The disc has sold more than 8 million copies in the United States since its May release.
Eminem also faces charges for allegedly carrying a concealed weapon and brandishing a firearm in public during a June 3 incident in Oakland County, Mich. A hearing in the case is scheduled for April 23.
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