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Female rap star Remy Ma, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges today (July 15), after she surrendered to authorities yesterday for allegedly shooting and seriously wounding a childhood acquaintance during a dispute outside of a Manhattan bar early Saturday morning (July 14).
Remy Ma is being held on Rikers Island, as a judge sided with prosecutors bail request of $250,000.
Her attorney Scott Leemon told AllHipHop.com that a judge recently approved Remy Ma's bond and she is expected to be released from custody by the end of the day.
Remy Ma Accused of Firing at Man in 2003
A member of Fat Joe's Terror Squad, Ma turned herself in yesterday for attempted murder.
The Bronx, New York native is accused of having allegedly shot friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph twice in the abdomen at close range on early Saturday morning.The incident seems to have arisen over missing money. Ma was out celebrating a friend's birthday with longtime pal Barnes-Joseph, when she noticed cash missing from her wallet. Cops believe Ma accused Barnes-Joseph of taking the cash and then shot her in revenge.
Immediately after the shooting, Ma fled the scene by car, but crashed into another auto only a few blocks away from the shooting. She then jumped out of her car and took a taxi. A few hours later Ma turned herself in to police, accompanied by her lawyer. The full charges include attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
Ma, who was nominated for a Grammy with Fat Joe in 2004 for the hit, "Lean Back," had been sought earlier for questioning in the shooting.
The 26-year-old rapper, whose real name is Remy Smith, was heard to have first had the verbal despute near a bar in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.
The rapper's manager said Saturday that she could not talk and referred calls to Remy Ma's attorney, who was with the rapper as she reported to police. "I ask everyone to keep an open mind," attorney Scott Leemon said. "Things are not always as they seem." He said an arraignment would be likely be held today, Sunday.
Meanwhile the victim, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, was in stable condition at a local hospital.
Sasha Tcherekoff, owner of the Pizza Bar, said a review of security videotape taken inside his nightspot showed the rapper and her friends having a good time before they exited. "The police have indicated to us that the altercation happened a block away," the owner said. "The security tapes determined there was no physical or verbal altercation while they were in the Pizza Bar."
Remy won "Best Female Hip Hop" award at the 2005 BET Awards. She went on to a solo career, releasing last year's "There's Something About Remy." In addition to her work with Fat Joe, she has also appeared on recordings with best-selling performers Keyshia Cole, Eminem and R. Kelly.
Expect a self-defense argument from her legal team, knowing that she could be looking at prison time if this goes to trial!
COURT'S ADJOURNED!