Remy Ma Assault Trial Lacks Dna Evidence

REMY MA is confident of "vindication" in her forthcoming assault trial after prosecutors failed to find DNA evidence linking her to the crime.

The hip-hop star - real name Remy Smith - is accused of assault, criminal possession of a weapon, gang assault and witness intimidation in relation to the shooting of 23-year-old Makeda Barnes-Joseph outside a New York nightclub in July (07).

Prosecutors allege the incident was sparked when Smith discovered $2,000 (GBP1,000) missing from her purse and accused Barnes-Joseph of stealing the money.

Smith is due to stand trial later this month (Feb08) but her defence team insist the star has a good chance of being acquitted as experts failed to find any DNA clues to link her to the shooting.

Defence attorney Ivan Fisher tells Sohh.com, "They (police) were looking in the victim’s car for evidence of blood. Now I ask you, since my client wasn’t shot and the victim was, whose blood do you think it was ? As long as the prosecution keeps thinking like this, we might win this case. We look forward to vindication."

Remy Ma, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is also facing a civil prosecution over the incident. Barnes-Joseph is suing the rap star for $80 million (GBP40 million) in damages - naming Smith in the suit along with her record label, Universal Music Group, and several other music industry officials who play a major role in her music career. A date for the criminal trial is provisionally set for 25 February (08).