Attorney’s on behalf of multi-platinum rapper / actor DMX argued that a search of the artist’s Teaneck, New Jersey home two years ago was illegal.
“The police did not have proper authority to search Mr. and Mrs. Simmons’ house,” Brian Neary, an attorney for DMX, told the New York Daily News. “We are prepared to argue the search was illegal.” The search turned up a gun and drug paraphernalia. DMX and his wife, Tashera, are facing a five-count indictment charging them with child endangerment and weapons offenses. Bergen County, NJ Judge Donald Venezia adjourned the hearing until May 15th because the prosecution’s main witness failed to show up in court.
The charges stem from a June 27th, 1999 incident in which police went to DMX’s house while investigating a shooting at the Hilton Hotel in Fort Lee, NJ. DMX’s manager and uncle, Ray Copeland, was shot in the foot during the shooting, and Tashera Simmons’ purse, containing identification, was found at the scene. Neither DMX nor his wife, were implicated in the shooting.
When law enforcement arrived at DMX’s house, his mother-in-law, Marcia Tate, told authorities that the rapper had been smoking crack and acting strangely in the days leading up to the shooting. Tate also told police that DMX owned two guns, and that he flashed one of them at her and Tashera. Police then obtained a search warrant and returned to the house. The subsequent search turned up a loaded 9-mm gun; six used glass crack-cocaine smoking pipes, marijuana and a large supply of ammunition, including the notoriously deadly hollow-nosed bullets and a high-capacity magazine. Police said that DMX’s two children were home during the rapper’s alleged crack binge.
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Police also reported finding 14 pit bulls around the house and seeing rotting garbage and flies all over the house.
DMX arrived in court yesterday dressed in baggy jeans and a leather jacket and said “Thank you, judge,” as he exited the courtroom. Their attorneys, Neary and Stacy Richman, as well as a small entourage accompanied him and his wife.
