Michigan judge issued an arrest warrant for D12 member Swift on Wednesday after the rapper missed a court appearance to attend the funeral for Proof. According to The Associated Press, Swift (born Ondre Moore), was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday for a hearing to decide whether he violated the terms of his probation stemming from a drunken-driving case.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Swift pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while visibly impaired on October 17 of last year, a misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail. That same day, Judge Brian MacKenzie said, Swift tested positive for using illegal drugs and was sent to jail for two days. Ten days later, Swift was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to do 50 hours of community service, attend Alcoholics Anonymous and stay away from drugs and alcohol, the paper said. But in March, Swift tested positive for alcohol and was sentenced to a week in jail. Last week, Judge MacKenzie said Swift tested positive for alcohol again, which triggered the hearing.
Swift missed his the court date because he served as an honorary pallbearer at the funeral for Proof (see “Eminem, Obie Trice Speak At Packed Funeral For Proof”), who was shot and killed at the CCC Club in Detroit on April 11 (see “D12’s Proof Shot And Killed At Detroit Club”).
Judge MacKenzie said he waited until 4:15 p.m. to give Swift, 31 a chance to show up. When he didn’t, MacKenzie issued a bench warrant for the rapper’s arrest and set his bail at $500,000. “While I recognize the importance of attending a funeral … there is a requirement that you make some effort to comply with a court order,” the judge said, according to the AP.
Swift could face more than three months in jail if MacKenzie finds that he violated his probation. A spokesperson for Swift could not be reached for comment at press time.
— Gil Kaufman