TORONTO – New Jersey rapper Ja Rule (search) will return to Toronto next spring to face a charge of assault causing bodily harm, a Canadian court ruled at a pretrial hearing Wednesday.
A trial for the 28-year-old star, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, was tentatively set for March 7 to 11 in Ontario Court. The performer did not attend.
Lawyers will return to court Tuesday to cement 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, known for hits such as "Holla, Holla," (search) is accused of being part of a June 5 altercation at La Rouge Nightclub in the heart of Toronto's club district.
A publication ban was placed on evidence and most other details surrounding the charge.
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