SNOOP DOGG - SNOOP DOGG CLEARED OF ASSAULT

SNOOP DOGG CLEARED OF ASSAULT

SNOOP DOGG has been cleared of civil assault and battery by a civil jury after claims the rapper hit a man who came up on stage during a 2005 concert.
Richard Monroe, Jr. was seeking $22 million (£15 million) in damages and punitive penalties over allegations the hip-hop star and his entourage attacked him during a concert at the White River Amphitheater in Seattle, Washington.
Monroe alleged the rapper - real name Calvin Broadus - hit him with a microphone after he jumped on stage and put his hand on the star's shoulder.
He also claimed Broadus' security guards hauled him off and delivered a savage beating.
Although the star was cleared, the jury ruled Monroe suffered serious injuries during the concert and awarded him $449,400 (£298,177) in damages to be paid by Broadus' lable Doggystyle Records, rapper Soopafly, and other unnamed parties.
Broadus was not present for the verdict on Friday (08May09) but he attended part of the trial and testified, denying he struck Monroe and telling the court, "The best way for the injuries not to have occurred (was) for him (Monroe) to stay in his seat and enjoy the show like the rest of the fans."