Judge Orders Psychiatric Exam for Rapper ODB

Judge Orders Psychiatric Exam for
Rapper ODB
Wu Tang Clan Frontman Behaves Himself in Court

March 24, 2000

By Christian Boone

LOS ANGELES (APBnews.com) --- A judge has ordered psychiatric testing for rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard as he awaits a possible sentence for violating probation in January.

But perhaps the bigger story was what didn't happen. ODB, whose real name is Russell Tyrone Jones, maintained a calm presence throughout the proceedings, in stark contrast to his usual courtroom behavior, which has included spitting, falling asleep and flirting with female prosecutors.

" seemed sad," said prosecutor Marcia Daniels. The Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney said she would wait until the conclusion of the three-month long "diagnostic study" -- which will also include input from social workers and drug treatment counselors -- to be conducted on Jones before recommending additional punishment.

Judge softens toward singer

Jones was transferred to county jail facilities in mid-January after returning from a New York court appearance with a bottle of alcohol, which was a violation of his sentence last year in Los Angeles for making terroristic threats and wearing a bulletproof vest.

At that time, Judge Marsha Revel said the Wu Tang Clan frontman would do time if he failed to complete a mandated year of drug rehabilitation, part of his three years probation.

Revel seems to have softened her stance, though it's unlikely Jones will return to the Impact House live-in drug treatment program, where he was

being treated until his latest run-in with authorities.

The judge is said to be unhappy with Impact's approach toward the controversial rapper, who was allowed to leave the Pasadena-based facility twice, once to do a video.

"It's apparent the judge isn't receptive to that," said Peter Frankel, Jones' New York-based lawyer. "He very much wants to continue treatment. He acknowledges he needs it."

But Frankel, who along with famed Los Angeles attorney Robert Shapiro represents Jones, is optimistic jail time can be avoided. "She has an open mind as to what she's going to do," Frankel said of Revel.

Faces two years in New York

Meanwhile, Jones still faces a string of charges in New York, including

possession of a controlled substance and illegally operating a vehicle. Even if he escapes a prison sentence in Los Angeles, Deputy District Attorney Ken Holder in Queens, N.Y., told APBnews.com in January he had little doubt the rapper would be sentenced to at least two years behind bars for his drug offenses.

Frankel said those charges remain on hold until Jones' Los Angeles case

is resolved.