AllStar JR Federal Gun Trial Pushed to August
A judge granted an unopposed 60-day delay so the defense can review outstanding discovery and prepare a justification claim.
Overview
- The federal trial for Detroit rapper Jeremy Christopher Ford, known as AllStar JR, was moved from July 7 to August 31 by a court order filed Tuesday.
- Jury selection is set to begin August 31 in Houston and the trial is expected to last about three days unless the schedule changes.
- Federal prosecutors charge Ford with being a felon in possession of a firearm and rely on surveillance video, social-media posts, and a music video as evidence.
- Ford also faces a Harris County aggravated-assault charge that alleges traumatic brain or spine injury to rapper Ben Anthony Fields, whose filings say he suffered irreversible paralysis.
- Defense lawyer John M. Helms told the court the government has produced only one surveillance video so far and said the defense needs time to review discovery and ready a necessity or justification defense, a development that could affect coordination with the parallel state case.