Rhymes rejects plea offer

NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- Rap artist Busta Rhymes has turned down an offer from prosecutors to bundle four minor cases he faces in New York.

That deal from prosecutors Tuesday would have meant Rhymes would have had to spent a year in jail, go through an anti-drunken driving program and pay a $1,500 fine, E! News reported.

In his latest arrest last Thursday, Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. An initial blood-level test registered 0.147, but a later test allegedly showed him below the legal limit of 0.08, MTV News reported.

In the past 10 months, Rhymes also has been arrested on two misdemeanor assault charges, and for running a red light and driving with a suspended license.

But his lawyer, Scott Leemon, says his client has a "valid defense" in the two assault cases and wants them tried separately. A hearing is scheduled for July 10 on Leemon's motion to keep the assault charges separate.

The attorney says Rhymes is being targeted by police for not cooperating with them in the 2006 slaying of his ex-body guard, Israel Ramirez.