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Rick Ross Claims Self-Defense in Kidnapping, Assault Case

March 25, 2017
rick ross

Rick Ross claimed he was defending himself in a Fayette County, Ga. courtroom Friday (March 24) for a kidnapping and assault case that resulted in his 2015 arrest,  WSB TV reports.

Prosecutors charged Ross (real name WIlliam Roberts) and his personal manager, Nadrian James, with aggravated assault, aggravated battery and kidnapping after workers Leo Caceres and Jonathan Zamudio said the pair pistol-whipped and beat them at Ross’ house.

Roberts and James asked the court for immunity from prosecution in 2016. They claimed that they were defending themselves, standing their ground, and that they never kidnapped the workers, who were throwing a small party in Ross’ guesthouse at his Atlanta area mansion. The alleged victims claim they were pistol-whipped despite having Ross’ permission to be there.

“They basically lived at the guesthouse full-time,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said Ross gave the man permission to have family over for a birthday celebration.

“They exit the guesthouse and the defendant, William Roberts, was waving a gun at her as she was seated in the car with her child,” the prosecutor said.

Ross’ attorney Steve Sadow painted a different picture, saying the groundskeepers did not have permission to be there. He also argued that Ross was caught by off guard and responded as if there were intruders in his home.

“He enters the guesthouse, which is his property,” Sadow said. “It’s pitch black at this point. He calls out and no one responds. Mr. Ross is feeling his way against the wall and he reaches here and somebody touches him. He immediately reacts by reaching out and hitting him. (At that point) he orders everybody outside the house, says you can’t be in here.”

Friday’s hearing was cut short due to an attorney’s family emergency. The case is scheduled to resume on April 9.

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