Eminem Gets Probation on Weapons Charge

M O U N T  C L E M E N S, Mich., April 10, 2001 -- Rap star Eminem was sentenced to twoyears probation today after pleading guilty to a charge ofcarrying a concealed weapon.

"The judge treated me fair, like any other human being,"Eminem said afterward. "I just want to get it behind me and getback to spending time with my little girl and making music."

The charge carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison,although Macomb County Prosecutor Carl Marlinga said earlier thathe would seek no more than six months "because he has no recordand there was no serious injury."

As part of his probation, Macomb County Circuit Court JudgeAntonio Viviano ordered the Grammy winner to undergo counseling andsubmit to drug testing.

He will be allowed to travel within the continental UnitedStates for work.

'No Direct Danger to Human Life'

"In this case, the weapon was not loaded and there was nodirect danger to human life," Viviano said, agreeing to accept apre-sentencing report that recommended the rapper receive zero tothree months in jail.

In February, Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce MathersIII, pleaded guilty to the charge as part of an agreement withMacomb County assistant prosecutor David Portuesi, who dropped acharge of assault with a dangerous weapon in return.

Viviano took the plea under advisement, which meant Eminem couldhave changed his mind after hearing what sentence he would receive.

Eminem, of Macomb County's Clinton Township outside Detroit, wascharged following a June 4 confrontation outside a Warrennightclub. Police say Eminem struck a man he says he saw kissinghis estranged wife, Kim Mathers.

Still Facing Charges in Oakland …

Eminem also faces charges in Oakland County that he illegallypossessed and brandished a concealed weapon during a confrontationwith Douglas Dail of Insane Clown Posse, a Detroit-based rap group,in nearby Royal Oak. That occurred hours before his Warren arrestand has not yet been resolved.

"Mr. Mathers is a self-made man. He has overcome manyobstacles," his attorney, Wally Piszczatowski, told the judgebefore he handed down the sentence. "He has the ability toovercome this problem as a minor setback."

At the advice of his attorneys, Eminem made no statement incourt. He stood silent between his attorneys in a dark suit andtie.

… And Lawsuits From Family Members

The rapper, also known as "Slim Shady," is no stranger to thelegal world.

Mathers and his wife — who have a 5-year-old daughter — filedfor divorce and worked out a deal in March that gives Eminem their$450,000 Clinton Township home and Kim Mathers $475,000 incash to purchase one for herself.

The agreement also gives the couple joint legal and physicalcustody of their daughter, Hailie Jade.

Kim Mathers also sued Eminem for $10 million, claiming that thelyrics of his song "Kim" harmed her by describing "horrificdomestic violence" against her. The two reached a settlement inthat case.

Eminem's mother, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, earlier sued the rapperfor $10 million and for $1 million, claiming he defamed her insongs and interviews.

And Eminem's grandmother, Betty Kresin, hired a Sterling Heightslawyer in 1999 to warn the rap star not to use recordings of hisdead uncle's voice in his music.