JA RULE - JA RULE TO STAND TRIAL FOR ASSAULT

Hip-hop star JA RULE will return to Toronto, Canada, in the spring (05) to face a charge of assault causing bodily harm.

At a pre-trial hearing which the LIVIN' IT UP rapper did not attend today (06OCT04), the trial for the 28-year-old star, real name JEFFREY ATKINS, was tentatively set for 7 to 11 March (05) in Ontario Court.

Lawyers will return to court on Tuesday (12OCT04) to confirm the date after co-counsel MARIE HENEIN asked for time to contact her client to ensure he'd be able to attend the duration of the Toronto trial.

His lawyers have said the rapper will plead not guilty to the charge.

Ja Rule is accused of being part of a 5 June (04) altercation at Toronto's La Rouge Nightclub.