Kevin Gates has been found guilty of battery after kicking a woman at one of his concerts in Lakeland, Florida. The incident was caught on video and went viral. After being found guilty by a jury, a judge sentenced the Islah rapper to 180 days in Polk County Jail with credit for any time served, and fines and court costs.
According to WFLA, a jury of six women convicted him after one day of testimony.
At the concert, 18 year-old Miranda Dixon admitted to tugging on Gates' pants. She explained, "I was trying to get his attention for my friend."
During the trial, Dixon's friend Teremal Redding testified as well. She said that she was trying to get Gates' attention "because he is a famous rapper." She said that the entire front row had been grabbing him. It was only the second time that Dixon grabbed him that he kicked her violently.
Club head of security Joe Hailey testified that Gates' team had not made any special requests for extra security or to install a barrier to keep the crowd back. He also said that there was room for Gates to move back on stage if he did not want to be touched.
The rapper admitted to kicking the female fan after she grabbed his pants at Rumor's Nite Club. His legal team tried to have the charges dropped using the Stand Your Ground defense. He was charged with simple battery in September 2015.
At a previous court hearing, he testified, "I kicked them, I wanted them off me." He added that she had grabbed him many times and he was acting in self-defense.
