Jada Pleading Not Guilty

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New York emcee Jadakiss, AKA Jason Phillips, Thursday pled not guilty to illegal gun and marijuana possession in a Westchester County Court.

"I have yet to see or hear of any evidence connecting my client to possessing this weapon," said Phillips' lawyer, Clement Patti. One third of the celebrated hip hop trio LOX was October 7 arrested with three associates in his native Yonkers, New York after police reportedly smelled marijuana smoke coming from the car the men were occupying. Patti says his client was seated in the rear of the vehicle and was unaware there was a gun present. Phillips could face 16 months to 7 years if convicted on the gun charge in Westchester County. The law Phillips was indicted under was boosted in November to render a minimum sentence of 3 ½ years.

Reports of Philips' plea published at MSNBC.com and Yahoo News make a point of juxtaposing the rapper's critique of President Bush's involvement in the September 11 attacks, on his 2004 hit "Why," against his recent indictment.