Rick Ross did not face a judge Thursday as planned. His attorneys say Miami prosecutors have not formally filed charges, and the arraignment now falls on Friday, November 6.
Rick Ross Arraignment Moves to November 6 in Miami
WSVN 7News reported Thursday morning that the court reset the arraignment, first set for October 22. Ross, 50, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, expected to answer a felony count of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor battery count tied to domestic violence allegations.
His lawyers told the station the state has not yet filed those charges. Ross does not expect to attend the November hearing. Baller Alert adds that prosecutors have not publicly confirmed the defense account. None of the reports reviewed include a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
A gap runs through the coverage. AllHipHop says attorney Bradley Horenstein entered a not guilty plea on October 1, and Baller Alert says Ross pleaded not guilty through his lawyer. Yet the defense now says charges remain unfiled. WSVN notes that its report does not explain why filing has not happened when police said they established probable cause. No outlet explains how a plea, an arraignment date, and an unfiled case fit together. Baller Alert stresses that the delay does not mean dismissal.
What the Arrest Report Alleges Against Rick Ross
The alleged incident took place August 28 at Ross’s Star Island home in Miami Beach, according to WSVN. Ex-girlfriend Jazzma Kendrick reported it to police on September 29, per Baller Alert. Ross surrendered on October 1. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer found probable cause, set bond at $5,000, and ordered him to stay away from Kendrick. AllHipHop adds that Glazer ordered him to surrender any guns.
Kendrick told investigators the dispute began over an Instagram photo in which someone tagged her. AllHipHop adds that she says Ross hit her after she denied seeing someone else, and that he also pulled her ponytail. WSVN quotes the arrest report as saying Ross “struck the victim in the chest several times.”
Baller Alert, citing CBS News Miami’s account of the affidavit, lists more: Ross allegedly twisted her hoodie collar and restricted her breathing, pulled her ponytail, slammed her against a wall, and struck her face. WSVN and AllHipHop mention only the chest, so the reports differ in detail. Miami Beach Police spokesperson Christopher Bess said detectives collected injury photos and surveillance video. Kendrick also posted photos of her injuries online, per WSVN. These findings do not prove the allegations.
Rick Ross Denies the Claims and Defense Questions Timing
Seven News cameras caught Ross leaving jail on October 1. He told reporters he stands “totally innocent,” according to WSVN. His defense team, Horenstein and Steve Sadow per Baller Alert, disputes the accusations and asks the public not to prejudge the case. The lawyers also question timing.
The alleged incident dates to August 28, and Kendrick went to police on September 29. That gap spans 32 days. Horenstein pointed to the delay when he questioned the report, according to AllHipHop. Prosecutors hold the next move. The reports reviewed do not say when the state plans to file, and none quote the prosecutor’s office on the delay.
50 Cent Adds Fuel as a Separate Case Touches Ross’ Son
A second legal matter sits beside the arraignment. Baller Alert reports that on October 11, a driver near Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach pointed a handgun at Ross’s son, William Roberts III, 21, and struck him in the head. Roberts plays tight end for the school’s football team. He reported the attack the next day. Don Roberts III, 20, who has no family tie to him, turned himself in October 16, faces two felony charges, and pleaded not guilty October 19. He has since left jail, and Baller Alert says the case remains open with no court ruling on his innocence claim.
On Wednesday, 50 Cent posted a video of Don Roberts saying he is out and innocent, according to Baller Alert. 50 Cent wrote that he had a strong feeling the man was innocent and promoted his Street Fighter movie. Earlier this month, Baller Alert says, 50 Cent responded to Ross’s October 1 arrest with a post reading “LOL ARRESTED.” The two rappers have feuded publicly since 2009, per the same outlet. Ross has not responded publicly to the latest post. Watch whether prosecutors file formal charges before November 6, and whether Ross changes his plan to skip the hearing.
